Treasure Island · Character

Ben Gunn

A marooned ex-pirate, half-starved and half-cunning, who trades his secrets only for a gentleman's word of honor.

supporting

Also known as Ben, Benjamin Gunn, Gunn

As a supporting figure in Treasure Island, Ben Gunn is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A marooned sailor who has been alone on the island for three years and seeks passage home.

In the storyPart III: My Shore AdventureOpen this moment free

See Ben Gunn in Part III: My Shore Adventure Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Long John Silver (rivalry): Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents Silver for abandoning him on the island. With Long John Silver (rivalry): Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Ben Gunn sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Ben Gunn in The Man of the Island

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Ben Gunn sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Loyalists and Allies
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because Jim and Israel Hands reach a psychological peak of mutual suspi…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Long John Silver
rivalry · negative
Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents Silver for abandoning him on the… How this plays out →
Long John Silver
rivalry · negative
Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents Silver for abandoning him on the… How this plays out →
Long John Silver
rivalry · negative
Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents Silver for abandoning him on the… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Ben Gunn in The Man of the Island

In the story

Ben Gunn appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part III: My Shore Adventure
A marooned sailor who has been alone on the island for three years and seeks passage home.
The Man of the Island
Marooned for three years, Ben Gunn reveals his knowledge of Flint's treasure and his desire for Christian diet and a passage home. He agrees to help Jim's party.
Narrative Resumed by Jim Hawkins—The Garrison in the Stockade
Meets Jim in the woods, gives instructions for future contact, and reveals his knowledge of the island and Flint's stockade.
Part V: My Sea Adventure
The marooned sailor who has been living on the island and whose earlier actions influence Jim's adventure.
The Ebb-Tide Runs
Mentioned as having admitted the coracle was 'queer to handle till you knew her way.'
Pieces of Eight
Jim recalls encountering Ben Gunn earlier and sees a fire he assumes is Ben's cooking fire.
Part VI: Captain Silver
Ben Gunn reveals that he had already moved the treasure from the pit, leading to the pirates' downfall.
The Treasure-Hunt—The Voice Among the Trees
Implied to be the source of the mysterious voice, though not physically present; his name restores the pirates' courage.
The Fall of a Chieftain
Ben Gunn is revealed as the one who found and moved the treasure to his cave. He participates in the ambush and is embarrassed by Silver's acknowledgment.
And Last
Gleeful at abandoning the pirates, later confesses to helping Silver escape, and ends up as a lodge keeper in England.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ben Gunn unlock in the free preview.

See Ben Gunn in The Man of the Island

See Ben Gunn in Part III: My Shore Adventure