STORY
4. The Treasure in the Forest
by HG Wells
Summary
In
the short story 'The Treasure in the Forest,' author H.G. Wells weaves a tale
of greed, treachery, and the consequences of one's actions. The story is set in
a remote jungle, where two men, Evans and Hooker, become obsessed with the idea
of finding hidden treasure. Their quest for wealth leads them to commit a
heinous act - the murder of a Chinese man named Chang-hi, who possessed a
valuable treasure map.
After
stealing the map from Chang-hi, the two men set off on a perilous journey
through the dense jungle, following the vague directions on the map. Along the
way, they encounter a pile of stones that marks the treasure's location.
However, they also discover the lifeless body of a Chinese man, who had
apparently been digging for the treasure before his untimely death.
Believing
him to be a rival treasure seeker, Evans and Hooker proceed to collect the gold
ingots lying around the dead man's pit. Unbeknownst to them, Chang-hi had
cunningly booby-trapped the treasure with thorns dipped in a deadly poison.
As
Evans fills his jacket with the gold, he accidentally pricks himself with one
of the thorns. Within a short time, he begins to convulse and suffers
excruciating pain. Realizing the danger, Hooker tries to help but also pricks
himself. Both men endure unimaginable agony as the poison takes its toll on
their bodies.
In
the midst of their suffering, Hooker envisions Chang-hi's sly smile, realizing
that the Chinese man had strategically laid the trap to protect his wealth from
theft. The poison proves fatal for Evans, who dies in agony, leaving Hooker
alone with the treasure.
Desperate
to escape the same fate, Hooker tries to suck the poison out of his wound, but
it's too late. He too succumbs to the deadly effects of the trap and dies
beside the still-twitching corpse of his friend.
'The
Treasure in the Forest' serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the
destructive nature of greed and the consequences of unethical actions. The
characters' relentless pursuit of wealth leads them to commit a heinous act and
ultimately results in their own demise.
Wells
skillfully crafts the story's dark atmosphere, highlighting the jungle's
isolation and the characters' moral deterioration as they descend into
greed-driven madness. The story serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of
riches at the expense of others can lead to tragic and irreversible
consequences.
Understanding the Text
Answer the following questions.
a. Describe the expository scene of the story.
In
the expository scene of 'The Treasure in the Forest,' the main characters,
Evans and Hooker, are introduced as they sail in a boat, holding a mysterious
treasure map. Their curiosity and greed become apparent as they try to decipher
the map's symbols and directions, revealing their intentions for embarking on
the adventure. The scene establishes the atmosphere of mystery and foreboding
as they approach a dense forest, setting the stage for their treasure-seeking
journey. Evans and Hooker's dialogue provides crucial insights into their
motives, showcasing their willingness to go to extreme lengths to find the
hidden Spanish treasure. This scene hints at the dangers and challenges that
await them, laying the foundation for the unfolding suspenseful narrative.
b. What does the map look like and how do Evan and Hooker
interpret it?
In
'The Treasure in the Forest,' Evans and Hooker examine the old and slightly
torn treasure map, determined to decode its symbols. Despite the map's age and
unclear markings, they manage to interpret the directions. Believing that the
dotted lines on the map lead to the hidden treasure, they set their course for
this mysterious destination. Driven by their greed and excitement, they embark
on a journey into the dense forest, eager to uncover the Spanish treasure they
believe awaits them. The anticipation of what they might find adds an element
of suspense to their quest, and they are willing to face whatever challenges
lie ahead to reach the supposed location of the hidden riches. The stage is set
for a thrilling and dangerous adventure as they follow the map's clues to the
dotted lines area, hoping it will lead them to the long-awaited treasure.
c. How did Evan and Hooker know about the treasure?
In
the dense forest, Evans and Hooker come across a group of Chinese men hiding
behind trees. They overhear the men discussing the lost Spanish treasure, which
piques their curiosity. The Chinese man, Chang-hi, reveals that he knows about
the treasure's location, and it is buried and protected in a secret place.
Evans and Hooker, driven by greed, become aware of the valuable opportunity
before them. They decide to take matters into their own hands, planning to
steal Chang-Hi's treasure map and claim the hidden riches for themselves. The
revelation of the treasure's existence adds an element of excitement and danger
to their journey, as they become determined to find and secure the Spanish
treasure, setting the stage for a suspenseful and ominous adventure in the
forest.
d. Describe Evan’s dream.
In
a dream, Evans envisions himself and Hooker in the forest at night with a
specific goal in mind - finding the treasure. They stumble upon three Chinese
men sitting around a campfire, discussing the hidden gold. Chang-Li, one of the
men, had previously stolen the treasure from a ship and hid it on the island.
Evans and Hooker listen intently as they hear about Chang-Li's plan to seek
assistance from the other Chinese men to retrieve the treasure, providing them
with a map. Fueled by greed, Evans decides to take matters into his own hands
and ruthlessly assassinates Chang-Li during a confrontation. This dream sets
the stage for the upcoming events, foreshadowing the dark and dangerous path
that Evans and Hooker will take in their quest for the hidden Spanish treasure.
e. What do the two treasure hunters see when they walk towards
the island?
As
Evans and Hooker venture deeper into the forest, they encounter tall shrubs and
clear a path through them. Along their journey, they stumble upon an intriguing
sight - large white blooms. However, the mood turns eerie when they come across
the lifeless face of a deceased Chinese man lying face down on the grass.
Undeterred, they press on and finally reach their destination at the bank of
the island. There, they are met with the sight of three palm trees and numerous
shrubs, which appear to be significant landmarks on their quest for the hidden
treasure. The scene is filled with a sense of mystery and anticipation as Evans
and Hooker get closer to the potential location of the Spanish gold.
f. In what condition did the treasure hunters find the dead man?
As
Evans and Hooker continue their journey through the forest, they stumble upon
the decaying body of a Chinese man. The body is swollen and partially decomposed,
indicating that it had been there for quite some time. As they cautiously move
forward, cutting through dense shrubs and large white blooms, Evans examines
the corpse and identifies it as a Chinese man. The head of the deceased is
mutilated, and it becomes apparent that the man had met a violent end. Despite
the gruesome discovery, Evans and Hooker notice that there are some gold ingots
remaining near the body, suggesting that the deceased had possibly found part
of the hidden treasure before meeting his tragic fate. The scene is filled with
tension and mystery as the treasure hunters are faced with the harsh realities
of their quest for riches.
g. How did the treasure hunters try to carry gold ingots to the
canoe?
As
Evans and Hooker attempt to take as much gold as they can back to their boat,
tragedy strikes. Evans, filled with greed and determination, fills his jacket
with gold ingots, but soon he starts experiencing excruciating pain and
convulsions. He collapses, showing the deadly consequence of their actions.
Despite witnessing his friend's suffering, Hooker's hunger for gold overpowers
his concern, and he continues gathering the scattered ingots. However, the
thorns protecting the treasure inflict severe injuries on both men. The story
concludes with both treasure seekers lying in pain and misery, their greed
having led them to a brutal and unfortunate fate. The narrative serves as a
cautionary tale about the destructive power of greed and the consequences of
pursuing wealth without ethical consideration.
h. How were Evan and Hooker poisoned?
In
their pursuit of the hidden treasure, Evans and Hooker encounter a dangerous
obstacle: thorns protecting the valuable ingots as shown on the map. As they
attempt to carry the gold to their canoe, Evans begins to experience arm pain
and falls to the ground. Despite his suffering, he encourages Hooker to
continue with the plan. However, as Hooker picks up the ingots, he is pricked
by a thorn and gets poisoned. The thorn pierces his thumb, leading to dire
consequences for both men. The story ends with both treasure seekers poisoned
and suffering the consequences of their greed-driven actions. The presence of
the thorns serves as a fatal warning against the reckless pursuit of wealth
without considering the potential dangers and ethical implications.
Reference to the context
a. How do you know the story is set on a tropical island?
I
can say with certainty that the story is set on a tropical island because the
people in this story seem weary and thirsty because of their long nighttime
journey and the intense heat on the island. In this story, we've seen a
tropical island that's long since been abandoned by humans, but it's still desolated.
The temperature on the tropical island is very hot. The location alone tells me
the story takes place on a tropical island. This story takes place in the rain
forest, and two characters discover a river and cool down in it to satisfy
their thirst. A tropical island will have dense shrubs and large white blooms
like those the characters encounter on their journey. There is a scorching
climate on this island in the story. Overall, in terms of climate, ecosystems,
and other details, the story clearly shows that it takes place on a tropical
island, as shown by the presence of palm trees, prickly shrubs, seagrass, and
other sea life.
b. Why do you think Evan and Hooker took such a risk of finding
the buried treasure on a desert island?
When
Greed wins, a man becomes ready to go to any level. It makes people become
more resilient in the face of adversity. Evans and Hooker, in my opinion,
took such a big risk by searching for hidden riches on a desolate island to
become wealthy. They rob a Chinese guy of his map and kill him. They do so
because of their desire to become wealthy and successful. They're on the
lookout for a wonderful opportunity to enhance their standard of living.
Another reason for taking the risk could also be because their financial
situation was precarious. They will stop at nothing to improve their miserable
living circumstances.
c. Do you think the narrator of the story is racist? If
yes, what made him feel superior to other races?
Racial
prejudices or hostility toward others due to their ethnicity or minority
status. The story illustrates Evan and Hooker as superior to the Chinese guy.
"Two Englishmen" and "Three Chinese Men" he says. His character
has been unfairly treated due to his bigotry. His descriptions of the people
show racial disparities. The plot clearly shows the narrator's racist thoughts.
The narrator establishes his authority by telling a story and describing the
characters and events in first person. His character addressing is asymmetric.
Slurs of race or ethnicity have been used to refer to characters. Two English
Men murder an unarmed Chinese named Chang hi. In this sense, he is showing that
the Englishman is superior to the Chinese. In this passage, the narrator shows
Englishmen superior to Chinese men. Chinese men have always been portrayed as
oppressed minorities. Author assessment appears biased in this story.
Throughout the story, the narrator appears superior. So, I think the narrator
is racist.
d. What do you think is the moral of the story?
In
"The Treasure in the Forest," the story highlights the destructive
consequences of greed and the fragility of material possessions. The two
Englishmen, Evans and Hooker, are driven by their desire for the hidden
treasure, which ultimately leads to their downfall. Their pursuit of wealth and
power corrupts them, and they become blind to the dangers they face. The story
serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the detrimental effects of greed
and the importance of valuing more than just material wealth. It reminds
readers to prioritize ethics and humility over the pursuit of material
possessions, as greed can have devastating repercussions on one's life and
relationships. The story delivers a powerful message about the negative
consequences of greed and the importance of finding contentment and fulfillment
in other aspects of life beyond mere material gain.
Reference Beyond Text
a. Interpret the story as a mystery story.
'The
Treasure in the Forest' is a gripping and dark adventure story that explores
the corrupting power of greed. The tale revolves around two treasure seekers,
Evans and Hooker, who murder a Chinese man named Chang-hi to steal his treasure
map. The map leads to a cache of gold ingots hidden on an island.
As
they follow the map, they find the identifying pile of stones but also discover
the bloated corpse of a Chinese man who had been digging for the treasure.
Believing him to be Chang-hi's henchman attempting to claim the wealth for
himself, Evans and Hooker decide to take the gold back to their boat. However,
unknown to them, Chang-hi had booby-trapped the treasure with poisonous thorns.
Evans
pricks himself with a thorn, and soon after, he becomes incapacitated and
convulses in pain. Hooker, unaware of the danger, accidentally pricks himself
too. Both men suffer terribly as the poison takes its toll. Evans dies first,
leaving Hooker alone with the treasure and the twitching corpse of his friend.
As
Hooker succumbs to the poison, he imagines Chang-hi's sinister smile, realizing
that the Chinese man had set the trap to protect his wealth. The story ends
with Hooker dying next to his deceased friend, surrounded by white petals from
an unfamiliar flower, carried by the breeze.
'The
Treasure in the Forest' is a cautionary tale, showcasing the destructive
consequences of unchecked greed and the dark paths it can lead people down. The
story serves as a reminder that pursuing wealth at the expense of others can ultimately
result in tragedy and ruin.
b. Remember a treasure hunting story you read in your childhood
and compare and contrast it with ‘The Treasure in the Forest. Treasure hunting
is a favorite subject of children’s stories.
"Blood
Diamond" and "The Treasure in the Forest" are two distinct
stories that revolve around the theme of valuable gemstones, but they differ
significantly in terms of their settings, characters, and overall messages.
"Blood
Diamond" is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in the late 1990s, where
illegal diamond trade fuels the conflict and perpetuates violence and
suffering. The story takes place in a war-torn and politically charged
environment, highlighting the dark side of the diamond industry and its impact
on innocent lives.
On
the other hand, "The Treasure in the Forest" is a suspenseful
adventure story set in an unspecified location, possibly a remote island with a
dense forest. The story follows two treasure hunters, Evans and Hooker, as they
search for hidden Spanish treasure. Unlike "Blood Diamond," the
setting in "The Treasure in the Forest" is more of a traditional
adventure tale without the backdrop of a real-world conflict.
In
"Blood Diamond," the main characters are Solomon Vandy, a fisherman
abducted and forced to work in the diamond mines, Danny Archer, a cynical
diamond smuggler, and Maddy Bowen, a courageous journalist. The three characters
come from different backgrounds and have distinct motivations, but they are
united in their quest to expose the illicit diamond trade's horrors.
In
contrast, "The Treasure in the Forest" revolves around two main
characters, Evans and Hooker, both motivated by greed and the pursuit of
wealth. Their journey to find the treasure is driven solely by their desire for
personal gain, without any larger societal implications like in "Blood
Diamond."
The
primary message of "Blood Diamond" is to shed light on the
devastating consequences of conflict diamonds and the need for ethical
practices in the diamond industry. The film explores the role of diamonds in
funding violence, the exploitation of innocent people, and the importance of
raising awareness and taking responsibility for one's actions.
On
the other hand, "The Treasure in the Forest" focuses more on the
consequences of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth. The story
illustrates how the characters' pursuit of the treasure leads to their downfall,
emphasizing the destructive nature of unbridled desire for material riches.
In
conclusion, while both "Blood Diamond" and "The Treasure in the
Forest" revolve around valuable gemstones, they differ in their settings,
characters, and messages. "Blood Diamond" is a powerful exploration
of the diamond industry's dark side and its impact on conflict-ridden regions,
while "The Treasure in the Forest" is a suspenseful adventure that
highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked greed. Both stories offer
valuable insights into the human condition and the ethical dilemmas surrounding
precious commodities.
Best of Luck
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