Also, the purpose of the backstory, in my opinion is that Jack's actions in the film up through the point where the novelization ends will seem rather ambiguous. What is his essential nature? Is he a good man, because he doesn't seem as though he is.
We know that Jack is a misunderstood man with a heart of gold, but the characters don't. So his backstory serves the purpose of revealing ignorant characters of his true nature: i.e. Will, to a certain extent, and also Elizabeth.
No idea if you read this:
Elizabeth was horrified. "This is madness!" she cired.
"This is politics," said Jack.
Elizabeth could not believe the pirates were fighting at a time like this, when the enemy was so close, and it was so important for them all to stand together. Every time they attacked each other, they were doing Lord Beckett's job for him. If they could not find a way to work together...the East India Trading Company was sure to kill them off, one by one.
Barbossa banged the cannonball again, trying to restore order. But the noise was too loud for anyone to hear him, and the pirates were too angry to stop fighting. Finally Barbossa hurled the cannonball at the globe, which toppled over, sending the swords clattering in all directions. That got their attention at last.
"It was the first court that imprisoned Calypso!" Barbossa cried. "We can be the ones to set her free! And, in her gratitude, she will show us her favor!" He spotted Jack Sparrow shaking his head. "If you have a better alternative, out with it!" Barbossa demanded.
"I agree with Captain Swann," said Jack, astonished to hear those words coming out of his mouth. He stood up, and everyone held their breath waiting to hear what he would say.
"We fight," he said simply.
I have read that! My mom bought me the novelization today as a surprise. I was totally stoked!
That is a good scene. The hilarious part is so many people are down on the novel, but I think it really isn't that bad. In fact, there are quite a few good J/E moments mixed in with the equally good W/E moments.
My favorite line:
"This is barbaric"
"This is politics."
Ha, they're just trying to tell a story. And from what I've seen of the novel/ the missing things from the DMC script, it's a very good story.
Ok, anyway moving on. What are we talking about? I have a few more portions of the DMC script and the stage directions regarding the compass which clears up the ambiguity, but if it's too shippy, I'll skip it. I also want to post some things from the novel that are muy interesante to me. Again, it's J/E bias. I'll try to do stuff for W/E but it's hard for me....what a girl can do, and what a girl can't do...you know how it is. 🙂