Who Long John Silver is
Long John Silver is a clever, charming sailor with one leg and a talent for making people trust him. Squire Trelawney hires him as cook for the voyage to find Captain Flint's buried treasure. Silver keeps a tavern in Bristol, where Jim Hawkins first meets him with fear and then relief.
What Long John Silver wants
Silver wants the treasure, and his plans reach far beyond his work in the ship's kitchen. A former shipmate of Captain Flint, he has helped bring old pirates into the crew. He urges them to wait until the gold is aboard before taking control of the ship.
Long John Silver and the others in the story
Silver treats Jim kindly, telling him stories about pirates and the places he has seen. Jim grows fond of him, but an overheard conversation reveals the danger beneath that kindness.
Silver brings together qualities that make Jim's judgment of him uncertain: courage, cleverness, warmth and cruelty. His affection for his parrot sits beside his willingness to lie and threaten others.
Questions
Who is Long John Silver?
Long John Silver is the cook aboard the Hispaniola and the hidden leader of its pirates.
What does Long John Silver want?
He wants Captain Flint's buried fortune and plans a mutiny to take it.
Is Long John Silver good or bad?
Silver is a villain, but his kindness to Jim makes him more complicated than he first appears. He can be friendly and brave while also being deceitful and cruel.