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This scum Dr. Livesey is really bothering Kenshiro! IT MUST BE REWRITTEN OR ADDED TO!! So sayeth the great god of Earthrealm Raiden: or he will send lightning bolts to terminate you. |
Dr. David Livesey is a hero from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as doctor, he is a magistrate, an important man in the rural society of southwest England, where the story opens; his social position is marked by his always wearing a white wig—even in the harsh conditions of the island on which the adventure takes place. Some years previously, he had fought in the Battle of Fontenoy, and was wounded in action during the battle.
Bio
Dr. Livesey first appears in the book when he comes to the "Admiral Benbow" to care for Jim Hawkins' ailing father, demonstrating courage and strength of character as he resists the attempts of pirate Billy Bones to bully him. On Bones' subsequent death and the discovery of the treasure map, Dr. Livesey throws in his lot with Squire Trelawney's plans to recover Captain J. Flint's famous hoard. The cooler headed of the two, Dr. Livesey suggests discretion in recruiting a crew for the expedition, urging Trelawney to keep the purpose of the Hispaniola's voyage secret.When Hawkins (now serving as cabin boy) discovers the pirates' plot, it is the doctor he seeks out to make his report. Livesey keeps his head in the crisis and lets none of the crew see that he has just been given dreadful news.
Personality
Dr. Livesey first appears to be an ideal authority figure for the young Jim. Jim entrusts the treasure map to Livesey because Livesey is a respected, knowledgeable man. As the adventure unfolds, Livesey shows that Jim’s respect is merited, proving himself competent, clever, fair, and loyal. Livesey devises the brilliant plan of stalling the pirate brigade by sending Ben Gunn to give spooky imitations of their dead leader, Flint. He also comes up with the ruse of sending the pirates on the wild-goose chase to find the treasure. Livesey is not afraid of action and bravely fires on the pirates at the treasure site. He is noble in his willingness to provide medical attention to the wounded pirates, his enemies. He speaks tenderly to them and seems genuinely to care for their health. More so than the gruff Captain Smollett or the naïve Squire Trelawney, Livesey represents the best of the civilized world of men.
Despite his credentials and valuable achievements in the tale, however, Livesey is simply not charismatic. He does what is reasonable, practical, and ethical, but never acts impetuously or spontaneously, as the pirates and Jim do. Livesey thinks up ingenious plans, but only puts them into practice if they are safe and efficient. He gives the pirates the treasure map only when he knows it is useless. On the whole, Livesey never risks anything, and therefore Jim, as we do, sees him as good but not grand, decent but not inspirational. It is significant that while Jim gives a sentimental farewell to the memory of Silver at the end of his narrative, he omits mention of Livesey, despite Livesey’s importance in the adventure. Jim does not have an emotional connection to Livesey, and, by extension, does not have an emotional connection to the decent, civilized world Livesey represents. Jim does not fit completely into Silver’s world, but he does not fit completely into Livesey’s steady, practical world either.
Actors
- Charles Hill Mailes in the 1920 version.
- Otto Kruger in the 1934 version.
- Denis O'Dea in the 1950 Disney live-action version.
- Laimonas Noreika in the 1971 live-action version.
- Ángel del Pozo in the 1972 version.
- Anthony Bate in the 1977 version.
- Iemasa Kayumi in the 1978 anime.
- Victor Kostetskiy in the 1982 version.
- David Warbeck in the 1987 Treasure Island in Outer Space.
- Evgeniy Papernyy in the 1988 Soviet version. This depiction of Dr. Livesey later became an internet meme in 2022.
- Julian Glover in the 1990 version.
- In Disney's 1996 Muppet Treasure Island, he is portrayed by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, who in turn is performed by Dave Goelz.
- David Robb in the 1999 version.
- In the 2002 Disney animated film Treasure Planet, he is replaced with Dr. Delbert Doppler, a dog-like alien voiced by David Hyde Pierce. He is a composite character borrowing elements from Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney.
- Jeff Denton in the 2006 film Pirates of Treasure Island.
- Daniel Mays in the 2012 version.