Rasmussen1

Desiree Rasmussen
Lee
English 308
Critical Essay
6 December 2016

Discerning the Father Figures and Role Models in Childhood

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, presents the problematic confusion a child

could potentially face when lacking a proper “father figure” or role model and the importance of

having a clear discernment on who is the proper role model. Stevenson contests the role of the

“father figure” for Jim Hawkins, as his father is portrayed as weak and basically absent; children

in this situation must, sadly, seek out the proper role model themselves. Lois Lowry’s The Giver,

demonstrates a similar concept, however, for children who presently have “father figures,” in

their life. Lowry’s futuristic novel shows how a perfect family unit and an existing father figure

can possibly be disqualified as the proper role model for a child, as these “perfect fathers” cannot

love and consists of tainted morals. Treasure Island and The Giver, in different ways, challenges

the role of a father figure. Both texts claim that children need proper father figures or role models

in their lives as this helps determine their outcome in life, but most importantly children need

discernment on who should be their role model. In order to understand this claim, the characters

of the father figures and the different potential role models of each texts must be examined. This

examination would determine on how these father figures and role models affect the child and

thus, the importance of these claims in understanding these texts.

In Treasure Island, the main character Jim Hawkins is faced with many potential father

figures, but not all qualify. Starting off with Jim’s own father; a nameless character who is

present very briefly in this text. Jim’s father is portrayed as a weak character that dies from

sickness very early in this text. Treasure Island, presents the situation of the “Captain” taking
 Rasmussen2

dominion in Jim’s father’s own establishment and staying, basically, for free in this inn owned

by Jim’s father. “[S]o all the money had been long exhausted, and still my father never plucked

up the heart to insist on having more. If ever mentioned it, the captain…stared my poor father

out of the room…the terror he [Jim’s father] lived in must have greatly hastened his early and

unhappy death.” (Stevenson 3-4). Jim’s father is not a father figure or a good role model; this

causes Jim to look greatly upon the captain, who is the one bullying the father. The captain’s

dominion, possibly intrigued Jim as to what a role model should be. Throughout the beginning of

this text there is much detail about Jim’s growing admiration for the captain and in fact, Jim who

did not cry for his father’s death, cried for the captain’s death. “[B]ut as soon as I saw that he

was dead, I burst into a flood of tears.” (Stevenson 14). After the captain’s death Jim receives

many potential father figures from two distinct groups, the “gentlemen” and the pirates. Out of

the “gentlemen,” who are supposed to be the good men of class and rightly mannered in this time

period, there is Dr. Livesey and out of the pirates, the bad men who have supposedly no morals

is Long John Silver. These two men are active in Jim’s life throughout the rest of this text. Dr.

Livesey seems to be the appropriate mentor for Jim Hawkins. Throughout the text, every

decision Dr. Livesey makes, Jim accepts and for the most part follow. Children who usually

follow the leadings of another individual, most likely look up to this individual as their role

model and usually will defend their course of action. For instance, Gray, a man a part of this

gentlemen group questions Dr. Livesey actions and exclaims he is mad. Jim immediately defends

stating, “why no…[h]e’s about the last of this crew for that, I take it.”(Stevenson 94). However,

Dr. Livesey being a role model is questionable. He does conveys the appropriate label, but his

behavior further in the novel implies the similar nature of a pirate. As for pirates, Long John

Silver is known to be the bad man. Yet, Jim seems to look up to him and want his approval.
 Rasmussen3

Usually, a child displaying the want of approval from an individual, looks up to and respects that

individual. One example, the reader gets a hint of Jim’s jealousy when Silver praises another.

“You may imagine how I felt when I heard this abominable old rogue addressing another in the

very same words of flattery as he had used to myself” (Stevenson 46). Jim is unfortunately,

blinded at this situation of uprising, and is only concerned that he might not be Silver’s favorite.

Silver being a candidate for Jim’s father figure, is questionable as even though he is a pirate he

does portray a man of honor. Jim has a dilemma, as what other children might be facing, if the

supposed “father figure” does not fulfill his role, who should? Jim’s father lacked dominion and

this caused Jim to seek other men who portrayed dominion, not often in the right way, to be his

father figure.

Lowry’s The Giver, provides two candidates that could fulfill the appropriate father

figure for Jonas. There is his father, who in this futuristic based text, is not his biological father.

This futuristic based text emphasizes on a society where everything is perfectly in order,

including the family unit. Every child has their father, mother and one other sibling. The father

figure is not absent and is involved in Jonas’s life. However, in a perfect and almost robotic

society, Jonas father does not display genuine concern. “Is something wrong, Jonas? His father

asked at the evening meal. ‘You’re so quiet tonight. Aren’t you feeling well? Would you like

some medication?” (Lowry 138). Yes his father show concern, but sorts of push away the topic

with the immediate resolution of medication. In addition, this society does not allow the father to

display love. Jonas then meets the Giver, due to his job training. The Giver is a potential role

model for Jonas. Because of the Giver, Jonas comes to the realization that his father and other

respectable figures have tainted morals. For instance, the Giver lets Jonas watch a surveillance of

his father releasing an infant. Through most of this process, Jonas kept insisting his father is
 Rasmussen4

doing some great task, however, Jonas was able to see the truth. Jonas witnessed his father

killing an infant. “Jonas felt a ripping sensation inside himself, the feeling of terrible pain

clawing its way forward to emerge in a cry.” (Lowry 189). This was Jonas reaction to his father’s

action. Is his father a proper father figure? Unfortunately, this was not his father’s fault. This was

how this society developed this system of release and its citizens to be sort of emotionless.

However, this shows a society that strives on making the perfect family unit depicts flaws, for

these father figures or role models lack love and morals. Jonas starts leaning onto the Giver as

another father figure. Jonas is able to love the Giver, who in return seems to show genuine

concern for Jonas, throughout their time together. Towards the end of this text, Jonas begs and

pleas that he needs the Giver to flee with him as they decide Jonas should leave the society

(Lowry 194-195). It is evident that the Giver has taken the place and role model of a father for

Jonas. This could also be transpired to children who seemingly have respectable father figures,

but these father figures perhaps might not be a true role model who is helping shape the child for

his or her future and expressing a genuine care.

As the potential father figures for both Jim Hawkins and Jonas have been observed, now

there must be a consideration on the effect this places on a child. First of all, who is a father

figure or role model and how should they affect a child? It is safe to say that a good father figure

is someone that can be looked on for guidance. Someone who is actively and presently there for

a child and someone who will help raise a child to be a good and respectable citizen. Most

importantly, it is safe to imply that this father figure or role model should be a positive model for

a child to look up to and desire to be like. The father figure has a great impact in a child’s life. It

is so crucial that children have positive role models because children are the next generation and

they will be a reflection of whatever adult is making an impact in their life, whether that is
 Rasmussen5

positive or negative. It is evident that the father that Jim Hawkins had, affected Jim

tremendously. Because his father was practically absent and did not show Jim how to be a proper

“man of the household,” Jim looks towards pirates and the gentlemen, who acted like pirates, as

someone to take after. Children who lacks a proper father figure can look at the wrong role

model and follow their guidance. The closest father figure that Jim ever had was possibly Long

John Silver, who at times acted better than the gentlemen in this text, but is still considered a

criminal at that time. Jonas, on the other hand, had a perfect family unit with a father who

seemed to show concern, but in an almost routinely manner where genuine care does not exist.

Because Jonas starts experiencing memories, he realizes the lack of love from his father and the

effect of emptiness upon him. The closest father figure for Jonas is the Giver, who seem to have

this genuine care for Jonas. A child can have a father figure around, but if that figure does not

respond to the child or express care, this child will be produce in an empty manner. However,

there is a possible implication that another role model besides the typical father figure, could be

the positive role model the child needs. Jonas interaction with the Giver, shows a genuine growth

in Jonas character. Jonas expresses care to the Giver, when he tells him to keep a certain

memory. “ ‘No, Giver,’ he said. ‘I want you to keep that, to have with you, when I’m gone’”

(Lowry 197). For being raised in a routinely society that expresses no emotion, Jonas following

the Giver’s, example, learn to truly love. Jonas was able to discern who would be a better father

figure, but Jim Hawkins lacked this discernment.

This critical analyzation of father figures is extremely important in understanding both

Treasure Island and The Giver, in that both texts challenges the role of a father figure or role

model for a child. Treasure Island, is without a doubt a seafaring adventure that consists of

pirates and treasure, but why is the focus on a young boy and the men surrounding him? Why
 Rasmussen6

would Stevenson give Jim, such a weak and cowardly father? On top of this, why would

Stevenson cause Jim to admire pirates, such as the Captain and Silver? Not to mention,

Stevenson switched the role between the gentlemen and the pirates, causing the gentlemen to

resemble the characteristics of a pirate and Silver, from the pirates, to display some gentlemen

qualities. Stevenson wanted to challenge the role of a proper role model. He wanted children to

understand the importance in discerning who they should look up to for guidance. The Giver is a

critique of a futuristic society trying to create the perfect households with the perfect fathers.

Lowry shows a father with absolutely no emotion. He portrays what this society wants their

fathers to portray perfectly, but his lack of love and his job duties cause Jonas to turn away. This

society creates fakeness and the fakeness of these fathers will only produce the same product of

children, but not shape a child with genuine love, to take initiative of their lives. Lowry is also

challenging the role of father figures. Why would Lowry put Jonas in a situation where he

respected and trust his father, to turn from him after he learns the truth of release? Lowry,

switching the roles as well, is also expressing the need for children to discern their role models

because the current one is not always the best. In both the overall texts, the effect these role

models have on Jim and Jonas is tremendous, whether it is a good or bad role model.

In conclusion, Treasure Island and The Giver both propose the crucial need for a proper

father figure in childhood, as this will only help prepare these children for the future. Jim, from

Treasure Island, is faced with many possible father figures and readers can see Jim as not a

steady character as he jumps from role model to role model. Jonas, on the contrary, was able to

determine who to follow and look up to and thus, we see his character evolved. These

implications, perhaps, transformed children’s literature in helping children to understand the

importance of who they follow. Everyone has had a role model that has brought some type of
 Rasmussen7

influence. This has always been and will always be. However, it is critically crucial that children

are able to discern who to follow because whoever is present, may not always be the appropriate

role model figure. This figure present in this child’s life will affect the outcome of this child.

Therefore, in children’s literature there is so much distinctions of who should be a role model.

Stevenson seems to put an emphasis of dominance that will attract a child, even though those

who possess that dominance was not always appropriate. Lowry puts more of an emphasis on the

emotional aspect; care, love and proper morals. There are various definitions on the

characteristics that a father figure or role model should convey. As for it has been known, the

father figure or role model plays a vital role in determining the outcome of the child.
 Rasmussen8

Works Cited

Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1993.

Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. New York: Dover Publications, 1993.