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,
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
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