Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos

Sta. Isabel, City of Malolos

Book Report
Mutiny on The Bounty
Story Retold
by Sir John Barrow

Submitted by:
John Michael Hufano
Grade 10 - Joy

Submitted to:
Mrs. Carmencita Cruz

February 29, 2016

Book Title: Mutiny of the Bounty (Story Retold)

Author: Sir John Barrow

Type of Book: Non-fiction
Number of pages: 170
Main Character
Lieutenant Wiliam Bligh is a naval officer and an experienced British
ship sailing master, chief navigator, and captain. He was born in a family of
naval and military tradition. After the American War of Independence in
1783, the navy was reduced in size and Bligh found himself almost inactive
in navy and given only half of the pay he used to receive until he was hired
as captain of a ship owned by his wifes wealthy family. After four years, he
accepted the prestigious appointment as master and commanding officer of
Bounty. As the only commissioned officer in the ship, he maintains discipline
among the crew and other passengers on board. He leads his loyal crew to
safety after a mutiny at the bounty proving to be an exceptional captain
though accused as abusive by the mutineers. I can identify with the Bligh as
an officer in school who makes sure that rules and regulations must be
followed and repeated violations must be dealt with penalties provided by
the school policy.

Supporting Characters
Fletcher Christian comes from a gentry and noble, wealthy family. He
is expected to have legal career, but chooses to a life at sea. He is a
gentleman, a skilled navigator, one who does not tolerate abusive
disciplinary actions. He later committed other crimes as acting Liutenenant
of the bounty. He leads the mutiny on board. Captain Edward Edwards is the
commanding officer of HMS Pandora, a frigate commissioned to pursue the
mutineers. He is a fine, venerable-looking officer and never married. Like
Bligh, he is automatically court-martialed due to the loss of his ship Pandora.
John Adams, also known as Jack, is the only known survivor among the
mutineers. He settled in Pitcairn, turned to Christianity, the educate the
women and children in the island, teaching the children to read and write
using the Bible.
Setting
The ship sails in the Pacific seas in from late 1700s and the court
martial proceedings and related events happen until early 1800s. The ships,
Bounty and the ships that pursue the mutineers, carry the breadfruits and
rescue the loyal crew after the mutiny, stopping on different islands in
Pacific. Polynesian islands are beautiful and their people are hospitable.
Otaheite or Tahiti is a lovely and happy island.
Theme
The author tells the readers that even if the intentions is good, in
military subversion and insubordination is punishable. He affirms that
humility and forgiveness can redeem a man. The recurring theme is

violence, insubordination, jealousy, and loyalty. The problem arises when

some crew feel that the commanding officer Bligh is selfish, discriminating,
and abusive to the ships crew. Fletcher believes that only a mutiny can
solve the problem, setting off Bligh and those loyal to him to a launch in
open seas. The story impresses on me that subversive and insubordinating
people if not punished will later commit other crimes.

Plot
Bounty, a British Royal Navy ship, has been acquired to transport
breadfruit plants from a Polynesian island, Otaheite, to the British colonies in
West Indies. On April 4, 1879, the ship left Otaheite, and after sailing 1,300
miles from the islands, Fletcher Christian and several of the mutineers
entered the cabin of William Bligh, declaring a mutiny. Bligh told Christian to
be reasonable, but the latter does not want to listen to Bligh, but shouts at
him telling him of his abusive leadership on the ship, and announcing that
the mutineers will take over the ship. Bligh and his loyal followers are set off
to launch in open seas leaving 4 of his loyal men to help Christian navigate
the Bounty. Bligh and his crew suffers hardships and even sickness while on
launch, while the mutineers set sail to Tahiti and Pitcairn, then burning the
Bounty. Pandora led by Edwards rescued Blighs group, then meet the other
ship that brought the breadfuits to the West Indies. Later the mutineers are
court martialed and punished, while Adams hid and stayed in Pitcairn and is
the only know survivor of the mutineers after the punishment.
Evaluation of the book
I find the story so differently of the men in uniform today. They are
more gentlemen, and obeys the rule. I like that the story instills discipline in
insubordination, but I dislike the slavery in the West Indies by the British.
The story is not fiction, so it is believable, and I give it five stars for its
narration of the one the famous stories in British Royal Navy, the stories told
about the culture in the Pacific islands, and the men of honor.