Long John Silver is a complex character, the audience discovers more about him through direct and indirect contexts. For instance, indirect characterization is used when Mr. Blandly (one of Squire Trelawney's servants) describes Silver and that he "lost a leg; but that [Mr. Blandly] regarded as a recommendation, since [Silver] lost it in his country’s service, under the immortal Hawke" (68). This statement depicts Silver in a heroic light as a war veteran, this indirectly alludes to Silver having qualities of a soldier such as loyalty, courage, and honor. However it is likely that this is a false statement curated by Silver himself to gain the good opinions throughout the harbor town. There is much the reader can depict about Silver through how other characters speak about him. For instance, Doctor Trelawney tells the Captain that he believes the Captain has "managed to get two honest men on board...[Mr. Arrow] and John Silver.’ ‘Silver, if you like,’ cried the squire; ‘but as for that intolerable humbug, I declare I think his conduct unmanly, unsailorly, and downright un-English.’ ‘Well,’ says the doctor, ‘we shall see’" (88). Between this exchange it is depicted that Silver has gained the trust and opinions of the voyages founders, however there is a sense of foreboding when the doctor states that they will find out because as the story progresses Silvers character will change dramatically from the good-natured pirate (a contradiction in itself) he seems to be.
As Jim waits outside the tavern to deliver the Squires message he sees a man come out of a back door "at a glance [Jim] was sure he must be Long John. His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity, hopping about upon it like a bird. He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham—plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling. Indeed, he seemed in the most cheerful spirits, whistling as he moved about among the tables, with a merry word or a slap on the shoulder for the more favoured of his guests" (74). Jim and the audiences first impression of Silver is quite appealing, his physical appearance of his missing leg and his powerful presence gives the audience the impression of the Hollywood friendly, yet strong pirate stereotype. However, Jim notes that unlike most of the pirates in the novel Silver seems educated and rather charming to those he is interacting with in the tavern. Both these qualities interest Jim and the audience to like Silver and his cavalier personality greatly.
Jim even states himself that he thought he knew "what a buccaneer was like" and that Silver was "a very different creature, according to [him], from this clean and pleasant-tempered landlord" (74). Jim perceives Silver with a positive outlook because all his past experiences with pirates, such as Pew and Billy Bones have been negative. Immediately Silver stands out to Jim because his behavior is strange among his fellow pirates, which leads the audience to believe his future actions will be unlike those of his companions as well.
Another example of indirect characterization can be found in the company he keeps such as Israel Hands who is described as "a careful, wily, old, experienced seaman who could be trusted at a pinch with almost anything [and] a great confidant of Long John Silver" (93-4). This quick fact mentioned by Jim leads the audience to associate Silver with someone with negative qualities that Silver himself has.
On the other hand, Silver attempts to be anything but just another pirate, the coxswain tells Jim that "'[Silver] had good schooling in his young days and can speak like a book when so minded; and brave—a lion’s nothing alongside of Long John!’" (94). Whether these facts about Silver are true or lies he has told his men to elevate himself from the crew, it shows that Silver is more intelligent than the average pirate. This is also an example of the author leaving subtle clues throughout the novel of Silver's true nature.
Jim discovers more about Silver's true character when he stumbles upon Tom and Silver alone as a scream sounds through the forest Tom breaks the tension by jumping from the sound "but Silver had not winked an eye. He stood where he was, resting lightly on his crutch, watching his companion like a snake about to spring (132). Silver's cool reaction from the scream and the predatory simile comparing him to a snake reveals that he enjoys seeing people squirm from terror and actually taunts them with it. The pirate could have easily killed Tom earlier before Jim finds them, instead he waits to watch Tom's horror in hearing his companion being brutally murdered.
The audience begins to see the facade of Silver's persona, Jim notices "All the crew respected and even obeyed [Silver]. [Silver] had a way of talking to each and doing everybody some particular service. To [Jim] he was unweariedly kind, and always glad to see [him] in the galley, which he kept as clean as a new pin" (95). The audience picks up on the unusual behavior of Silver, crewmen and pirates alike are known to be rough, weathered men, they don't particularly care for cleanliness. Silver, on the other hand is jolly, outgoing to assist others, enjoys a child's company, and he keeps his space on the ship spotless. These qualities show that Silver is careful in hiding in plain sight, however he could possibly too careful.
The audience begins to see the facade of Silver's persona, Jim notices "All the crew respected and even obeyed [Silver]. [Silver] had a way of talking to each and doing everybody some particular service. To [Jim] he was unweariedly kind, and always glad to see [him] in the galley, which he kept as clean as a new pin" (95). The audience picks up on the unusual behavior of Silver, crewmen and pirates alike are known to be rough, weathered men, they don't particularly care for cleanliness. Silver, on the other hand is jolly, outgoing to assist others, enjoys a child's company, and he keeps his space on the ship spotless. These qualities show that Silver is careful in hiding in plain sight, however he could possibly too careful.
When Silver pays a visit to the stockade to negotiate with Captain Smollett he expects to be feared and for everything to go his way, however Smollett shows no sign of forfeiting, plus his details the faults in the pirates' plan to which Silver's "face was a picture; his eyes started in his head with wrath. He shook the fire out of his pipe" (188). This an important quote when analyzing Silver's character, it is the only point in the novel where he is shown being enraged. His reaction to Smollett's words are similar to a tantrum of a spoiled child, Silver is used to getting his way without opposition of any kind. His ego has surpassed the reality of an opponent deterring him from his goals, thus its shown that Silver is nothing but a selfish pirate.
Silver is at a loss in this moment and when he leaves with a threat that he'll raid the stockade and "'Laugh, by thunder, laugh!'' at the destruction he'll cause "Them that die’ll be the lucky ones.’ And with a dreadful oath he stumbled off, ploughed down the sand, was helped across the stockade, after four or five failures" (189). Silver attempt's to cover his anger with abundant confidence, however his struggle over the stockade wall is nearly laughable in conjunction to his threat. In other words, Silver's bark is worse than his bite in this instance.
More indirect characterization takes place between Captain Smollett and Doctor Livesey after Jim tells them that the majority of the crew are pirates, the Captain states he hasn't “‘heard of a crew that meant to mutiny'" without signs of it before hand because anyone can usually"'see the mischief and take steps according. But this crew...beats me.’" to which the Doctor states "‘Captain,...with your permission, that’s Silver. A very remarkable man’” (116). This exchange depicts Silver in a more sinister light, the audience now knows that the pirate captain is able to influence and control his crew tremendously with his cunning as well as his charm. It is apparent that is treasure voyage isn't the first of Silver's career and that he knows perfectly how to execute a mutiny such as the one that takes place further on.
The veil of Silver'sgood character begins to lift further as the crew grows increasingly more revealing the closer they come to Treasure Island, thus causing Silver to stand out in his good deeds. He is described being “hard at work going from group to group, spending himself in good advice...He fairly outstripped himself in willingness and civility; he was all smiles to everyone. If an order were given, John would be on his crutch in an instant, with the cheeriest ‘Aye, aye, sir!’ in the world;...he kept up one song after another, as if to conceal the discontent of the rest...obvious anxiety on the part of Long John appeared the worst” (124). Now knowing that Silver is a pirate, the audience can observe his calculated manner of his activity on the ship. Although he is an intelligent leader of the pirate crew, it becomes clear that Silver cannot keep all of his men in line as their greed increases. Silver must cover for his crew by acting like the most productive man aboard and to assist on deck so as to keep a strict eye on his crew. However, Silver's helpfulness and jolly attitude leads him to stick out amongst his own men, which creates an air of suspicion for Captain Smollett and Doctor Livesey to sniff out.
Jim realizes that Silver is a truly despicable, however his idolizing feelings towards the pirate are still linger. This could be due to the lack of a strong man figure in Jim's life. Jim's relationship with Silver isn't completely severed until he over hears Silver states to Tom that he "'thinks gold dust of [Tom]—gold dust’ (131). Jim is now able to see through Silver's manipulation, which is clearly to befriend those that can benefit him the most. Essentially Silver is no better than the rest of the pirate crew, he is greedy, selfish, and power driven.
The audience can view the cowardice of Silver at the conclusion of the novel, he swears to Captain Smollett that he is on the "good guy" side now "'hand and glove...seeing as I know what I owes you. But these men down there, they couldn’t keep their word— no, not supposing they wished to; and what’s more, they couldn’t believe as you could.’ (325). Silver is only out to save his own skin at this point in the novel, he acts meek and polite to Smollett so as to safely get back to civilization. This act from Silver show s the audience another facet of his personality, he has put on a jolly crewman act, his villainous/murderous pirate act, his fatherly admiration act for Jim, and lastly his beaten puppy act shown in this selected quote.