What defines loyalty? Loyalty to a friend, to a family or simply to oneself? Robert Louis Stevenson's analysis of the character, Long John Silver from Treasure Island, is complex and interesting, but in some ways ultimately subjective. Silver displays many charismatic and leadership-oriented traits, maintaining an unwavering commitment to his plans, but does this make him loyal? Can a person have poor intentions and yet be loyal? It is difficult to interpret this dilemma, since we automatically associate faithfulness with a positive purpose, but this is not always the case. Loyalty to a cause is a very important theme in Treasure Island when analyzing mutineers versus honest men, but Silver was simply loyal to himself. Long John Silver's steadfast determination in his goals of obtaining treasure never wavers until he achieves his goal, demonstrating loyalty to his own mindset. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Despite Long John Silver's suspicious intentions, his greed keeps him constantly busy with his plans. It's easy to remember how successfully Long John Silver disguises his true identity for days, until Jim accidentally overhears the pirates voicing their rebellious plans for mutiny. Until then, Silver had deceived Jim, Dr. Livesey, and the squire. Jim remembers, "It was Silver's voice, and before I had heard a dozen words, I would not have been seen for all the world, but would have stood there, trembling and listening, with extreme fear and curiosity, because, in those dozens words, I realized that the lives of all the honest men on board depended on me alone” (Stevenson 99) The leader of the mutineers could even control a group of illegal pirates for weeks actions? He is engaged in his own selfishness. Silver will kill innocent and honest men, like Tom Redruth, appearing to express no guilt or sorrow even when they commit intensely violent and immoral crimes; therefore, it shows how focused he is on his goals essential need for this treasure, or rather, he may simply have an immeasurable sense of greed, as demonstrated in his ability to measure his own wealth against the life of another. Long John Silver has the same plans, to gain riches, from the beginning to the end of the quest. Even near the end of the book, when Silver is supposedly on the side of honest men, he abandons his honor to steal a portion of the jewels, never to be seen or heard from again. Although Long John Silver's determination is to fulfill precarious plans, he is constantly present. There are few scenarios where relationships get in the way of Long John Silver's ultimate plans. The pirate once said, “I like that boy now; I've never seen a better guy than that. He is more of a man than any pair of mice among you in this house” (Stevenson 266.) This is how Silver describes Jim, a simple teenager, though more manly than all the mutineers. This affection seems genuine, even if it doesn't stop Long John Silver from his inevitable commitment. He will hurt Jim emotionally, but never physically. Although Long John Silver's affection for Jim seems legitimate, he never lets it get in the way of his narrow, one-way path. Feeling such an immense responsibility to win the treasure, the one thing Long John holds in highest regard is his own survival. “Dooty is dooty” (Stevenson 79 and 185) is one of Silver's personal mantras, which says that whatever your..