Robert Louis Stevenson's Influence On Literature

It is a common assumption that an author's creativity and imagination are the sole factors influencing their works of literature. Surely, the most famous authors were simply naturally gifted and contrived their entire works independent of whatever unimportant environment they experienced - right? Robert Louis Stevenson’s works prove this to be false. His most famous works had many underlying influences that the majority of readers might never know. Medical advancements, English imperialism, English repression at home, and his aberrant relationship with Fanny Osbourne all had profound influences on what would be one of Stevenson’s greatest works, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
As a child, Stevenson was destined to take up the family business of lighthouse
Hyde was his wife, Fanny Osbourne. The inspiration for this novel came to him in a dream. He visualized a man consuming a concoction of white powder which changed him into a monster. He was screaming during his sleep with led to Osbourne waking him to which he responded "I was dreaming a fine bogey tale,". He wrote earnestly the next morning and had a complete draft within three days time. He read his story to Osbourne whose response was one without any excitement. She said Stevenson should have written an allegory rather than sensationalism. Stevenson took her advice and rewrote the entire story as an allegory in another three days. He refined it over the next six weeks. While Stevenson claimed it was the worst thing he ever wrote, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was a tremendous success and brought him more fame than ever before "Robert Louis Stevenson."). What is now one of the most famous pieces of classic literature of all time, was born from one man’s dream and advice his wife’s
We see this through social darwinism, a prominent philosophy coined by Herbert Spencer which was used to justify England’s (as well as other countries) takeover of other countries via the basis of racial superiority. The supposed apotheosis of a civilized society, England, was savagely ruling over foreign peoples. England’s sense of superiority fueled their desire to take over more and more territories. This is mirrored through Jekyll’s addiction to the newfound freedom that comes along with his transformation to Hyde. While countries upon which Western culture was forced feared the Western imposition, they also desired its opportunities. Western culture was no doubt much more advanced. An example of a positive side effect of their rule is evident in how they transformed India. Even though their intentions were not pure, while in India, the English industrialized and built railroads, mapped out the country and even educated many Indians. This duality of man and society is demonstrated quite literally through Jekyll and Hyde. While Jekyll is a good man who is loved and respected by most, Hyde is an embodiment of unrestrained evil that instills fear in any person who so much as lays eyes on him. Moreover, Jekyll is not even completely opposed to his evil side. While in his normal state, Jekyll feels confined by his reputation and social standard. His