Treasure Island: 6. Punto nero
Jim returns to the stockade to discover it in the possession of Silver and the pirates. The crew turn on Silver but he is able to win them back by revealing he now has the map. The song - about the 'Black spot' - is in a Latin style.
The story
You're within half a plank of deathLong John Silver to Jim
Jim stows the Hispaniola and returns to the stockade to discover, to his horror, that it is now in possession of the pirates. Silver tells him that when they all saw the ship had gone he and Livesey made a deal: in return for the map Silver allows Livesey and the Squire to leave. Jim in turn tells Silver that it is he that has captured the Hispaniola and killed those on board. The pirates are unhappy with Silver and go outside to parley. While they are gone Silver promises to protect Jim from the pirates in return for his support. When the pirates return they show Silver the black spot...but the spot has no power because it is on a page cut from a bible. Silver uses the moment to reveal that he is now in possession of the map and to regain their trust. The pirates celebrate.
The main characters
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Jim Hawkins | Our hero - a 12 year old in search of adventure |
| Billy Bones | A pirate on the run - because he has the treasure map |
| Squire Trelawney | Self-appointed leader of the expedition to claim the treasure |
| Dr Livesey | A friend of Squire Trelawney - though much more sensible and dependable |
| Captain Smollett | The captain of the 'Hispaniola' - is injured by the pirates |
| Long John Silver | The notorious leader of the pirates and part of Captain Flint's original crew...but forms a bond with Jim |
| Flint | A legendary pirate...also Silver's parrot |
| Ben Gunn | Marooned on Treasure Island |
| Hands | One of the nastiest of the pirates |
In the song tutorial
| Content | Timing |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Listening to the chorus of 'Punto nero' and noting that the words are Spanish for the 'black spot'. |
| 00 55 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'You take us to the gate of El Dorado...' Repeating the words a line at a time with the choir. |
| 02 30 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'Now lookee here my faithful caballeros...' Verse 2 is sung to the same melody as Verse 1. |
| 03 27 | Learning the chorus, beginning: 'Punto nero, punto nero...' Repeating the words a line at a time, then singing the chorus right through. |
| 05 28 | Singing from the start. Be ready in groups - Group 1 to sing Verse 1 and Group 2 in role as Long John Silver to sing Verse 2. |
| 06 42 | Learning the middle section rap, beginning: 'There's a booty waiting for you...' singing two lines at a time. Then dividing into two groups to sing alternate lines. At 09 40 singing the rap al the way through. |
| 10 10 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'The boy is never going back to porto...' Listening then repeating the words in time with the choir. |
Story questions
What is Jim hoping for as he returns to the stockade?
A hero's welcome - he has taken possession of the Hispaniola single-handed...not bad for a 12 year old
What does Jim discover when he gets to the stockade?
It is now held by the pirates
What has happened to Livesey, Smollett and the Squre?
When they all saw the ship had gone Livesey and Silver struck a deal - the map in return for freedom (Livesey believes the map is now useless because there is no ship to take the treasure away)
What is the outcome of the pirates' parley?
They decide that Jim is a 'meddler' and must be killed; they also decide that Silver should have the 'black spot'
Why does the black spot not work on Silver?
Becasue the spot is on a page that has been cut from a bible - and thus the two cancel each other out (according to Stevenson's invented pirate lore)
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
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Lyrics - Punto nero
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Punto nero
Download / print the music (pdf)
