Robert Stevenson Research Paper

Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson, abbreviated RLS, was an author during the Victorian literature period. He is credited with many novels, short stories, manuscripts, and musical compositions. He is well-known for works such as “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, “Treasure Island”, and “The Bottle Imp”. Similar to Victorian writing, Stevenson’s work was very dark in nature and often includes many characteristics and ideologies presented in Victorian literature. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 13th 1850, he was “the only son of respectable middle-class parents” (Poem Hunter). Due to health issues he was confined to his bed and had little to no interaction with the outside world. His nurse, Alison Cunningham,
who often read Stevenson religious texts and stories, was “his most direct literary influence during this time” (Poem Hunter). Stevenson’s childhood and upbringing played a pivotal role in his academic and career pursuits. Stevenson was often bedridden as a child, so when he did attend school he was often socially awkward and did not fit in well with the other kids. During the times he could not attend school, Stevenson would be taught by private tutors so that he would not fall behind on his studies. His interest in literature began at an early age when his nurse Alison “encouraged him at an early age to write his own stories” (Biography and Works). Growing up, Stevenson’s parents were religious Calvinists and this greatly influenced his beliefs and literary works. When Stevenson became older and entered university, most assumed he would become a civil engineer like his father but he was interested in law and writing. He disagreed with his father on what career he would pursue. He compromised with his father that he “would study for the Bar and if his literary ambitions failed, he would have a respectable profession to fall back on” (Poem Hunter).
His writing style in the sense of principles correlates with Victorian themes that are consistent in that time period.
From the dark undertones in his literary works, to themes such as good versus evil, murder, and hypocrisy, Stevenson’s writing is a perfect example of Victorian Literature. For example in the short story “Markheim”, the main character, Markheim, commits murder and then is approached by the devil offering to tell him where to find the money. Markheim replies “for what price” (Stevenson 141). This is a perfect example of how Stevenson’s religious upbringing influenced his writing and beliefs as a person. Markheim continues to say to the devil “I will take nothing at your hands; if I was dying of thirst, and it was your hand that put the pitcher to my lips, I should find the courage to refuse it” (Stevenson 141). Furthermore, Markheim continues to say “I will do nothing to commit myself to evil” (Stevenson 141). This statement is coming from a man who had committed murder just prior to speaking with the devil. Markheim, and Stevenson as the author of the story, share a deep sense of conviction that making a deal with the devil or eating from the fruits of evil, are worse than committing
murder.
Although, this is not the only reference Stevenson makes to the “evil” and “supernatural” offering individual material gain with their power. For instance in his short story “The Bottle Imp” the power of it stated as “if any man buys this bottle the imp is at his command; all that he desires whether it be love, fame money, or a city is at the utterance of a command” (Stevenson 151). Furthermore, Stevenson writes about the story of a man named Keawe who seeks materialistic gain in this world and is willing to live with the consequence of burning in hell. Stevenson portrays a classic depiction of evil and greed. Some individuals, such as Keawe, are able to accept the fact that they are damned either because they are too fixated on their current desires, or because they have no belief in a life after death.
Stevenson was also deeply interested by duality and it was one of the major themes presented in his story “The Strange Case of Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. In conjunction with the Victorian theme of split-personality, Stevenson portrayed this illness brilliantly in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. Furthermore “good versus evil” is another Victorian theme and is often seen in a lot of Victorian literature. Stevenson incorporated this idea by using Dr. Jekyll to be the good half, and Mr. Hyde to be the evil half. Despite being the same person, Jekyll and Hyde are exact opposites each other in society and hierarchal categorization. Jekyll being the good looking, pure, and respected doctor, whereas Hyde, being hideous, unimportant in societal castes, and a monster with animal like manners. Stevenson impacted many people all over the world due to his writing and is still considered one of the greatest Victorian authors. He was renowned in his time period for his alternative writing style and his willingness to touch on mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Elaborating on many concepts and ideologies, Stevenson shows throughout his body of work the true meaning of Victorian
literature.
In his final years, Robert Louis Stevenson bought land in Upolu, an island in Samoa. He quickly became influential in the Samoan community and even received the nickname “Tusitala” or “The Teller of Tales”. He began to become influential and involved in the Samoans political system, and even gave advice to community members who would seek his knowledge. He got married, and continued to pursue his literary feats until he died happily on the island of Upolu. He died instantly and it is said that he died from a cerebral hemorrhage. The Samoans loved Stevenson and honored him greatly. Many monuments were built in honor of Robert Louis Stevenson, in Edinburgh, and he was also commemorated in Scotland.

Works Cited
Stevenson, Robert Louis. “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Other Stories”.
Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor Media Group, 2006. Print.
"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
"The Biography of Robert Louis Stevenson." PoemHunter.com. PoemHunter.com, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.
"Robert Louis Stevenson." - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online. Discuss. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.