At first Jim thought that Long John Silver was a seafaring man who he had watched out for many nights. However, his impression changed when the two characters first met in John’s Inn in Bristol. Jim thought that he was a clean and polite landlord. Long John makes Jim feel very welcome and shows a lot of respect towards him saying “I see you are our new cabin boy.”These words from Silver made Jim feel happy that he was part of the crew. Long John Silver pretends that he doesn’t know Black Dog when he turns up at his inn. This shows us the deceitful side of Silver. Black Dog is the person who had come to visit Billy Bones to give him the black spot. Jim recognises him instantly and Silver orders Morgan to go after him. Silver then pretends to be angry at Morgan for allowing Black Dog to escape but Jim doesn’t pick this up. The crew then set out on their voyage from Bristol to find the treasure using the map they had found in Billy Bones pocket after he had died. Long John Silver was appointed as the ship’s cook, so Jim spent most of his time on the voyage with him in the kitchen. The Squire is one of the most respected men on the ship but he believes that Long John Silver is the only one that can be trusted.
Jim admires Long John Silver and treats him like a friend. However, these feelings change when Jim is in the apple barrel and falls asleep. When he wakes up he over hears Silver talking about a mutiny. Jim’s feelings for Long John take a dramatic turn to the worse. Jim’s original feelings of pity and envy of Silver now turn to feelings of hate and disgust. He describes Silver as“abominable old rouge.” Long John doesn’t know that Jim knows of his plans for mutiny, so Jim still treats him with respect saying things such as “I have, sir,” but he is now fully aware of Silver’s intentions.
Jim and Silver have their first proper conversation after the apple barrel incident, as he realises how clever Silver is. This is a conversation that strikes fear into Jim; however, there are no concerns by Silver as he believes that Jim has no idea of his plans. During this conversation, Silver was always complimenting Jim, trying to get on his good side, and he employs the same tactic with all the other crew members.
On the island, Jim witnesses two events which have a dramatic effect on their deteriorating relationship. Jim hears that Silver killed Alan and then he witnesses him cruelly killing Tom. Jim becomes fearful of Silver, as he begins to think that Silver may murder him and he said “might not I come next?” At this point in the story, Jim shows hatred towards Silver after his murderous acts. He also begins to fear for his own life. He wonders how Silver could carry out such cold-blooded murders. Jim quoted, “I could scarce conceal a shudder.” This clearly illustrates the fear he is experiencing.
Jim discovers more about Silver’s despicable past when he meets a person living on the island called Benn Gunn. Benn, who is scared of Silver, warns Jim to be on his guard. However, when entering the stockade, Silver is still praising Jim and showing his faith in him as he said, “I’ve always liked you...time goes so pleasant in your company.”
Long John always shows support for Jim, and after one of Silver’s men questions what Jim has said, Silver replies to the crew member, “You’ll perhaps batten down your hatches till you’re spoken to, my friend.” The pirates saw Jim as a threat as they feared that Jim would report them to the authorities when they got back to England. As a result of this they wanted to kill him, in fact one of the pirates, Morgan attacked Jim with his knife but his attack was foiled by Silver. Silver and Jim struck a bargain with each other. The deal was that if Silver saved Jim on the island from the pirates, then Jim would have to testify for him when they got back to England. This would mean Silver would not be hung on his return to England. Silver then thanks Jim for not trying to run away. Jim replies by saying, “I gave you my word”. This illustrates Jim’s loyalty to Silver and shows he still has some respect for him. Their relationship although it wasn’t a close friendship is put to rights and Jim is beginning to comprehend Silver by quoting “I began dimly to understand.” Silver realises that Jim is his only hope of survival. His fate rests on having a good relationship with Jim. Silver’s admiration for Jim is summed up when he admitted that he had become a better human being from entering this young boy’s simple life.
After the surviving crew had left the island and had arrived home in Bristol, Silver admitted to Jim that he will always remember what Jim has done for him and won’t forget his actions by saying, “If I saved your life, you saved mine; and I’ll not forget it.” He backs his statement up by saying “we’ll give him his share, to be sure, for all his kindness.” This demonstrates his loyalty to Jim. Silver shows that he has some morals and he still talks to Jim in a polite manner.
Overall during the journey, Jim’s relationship with Silver covered many varying emotions; however, I believe that their adventure has left a lasting impression on each of them. At the end of the novel Jim claims that Silver is “clean out of his life”, however he still wonders how Silver is and what path his life has now taken
