SH+P5+2013+Robert+Louis+Stevenson

Aim- Lilly Stack

The main purpose of Stevenson’s writing is to do something that he truly loved and had a passion for. One article states, “During his boyhood, he spent holidays with his maternal grandfather, a minister and professor of moral philosophy who shared his love for sermons and storytelling with him” (“Robert Louis Stevenson”). During his sessions with his grandfather he developed outstanding creativity that led him to write. His purpose of writing was stated explicitly in several ways. One indication of this is him publishing various works in several different styles. Robert had a passion that he expressed through his pieces of writing in different types of genres. He loved his family including his stepson, that inspired him to write the novel “Treasure Island”. Throughout his life he published many stories and poems that explain his love for writing.

Works Cited “Robert Louis Stevenson” //Poets.// The Academy of American Poets, n.d. n.pag. Web. 25 July 2013.

Audience-Laura Faoro

Robert Louis Stevenson has written many pieces of which are read and studied today; but by those of the older rank, for younger audiences wouldn't understand fully his words, both from his early musings to his later ones. His career started out as one of a pursuit to earn money, posting his works in the newspaper for the people of the world to read and enjoy, “ first published fictional narrative was ‘A Lodging for the Night’ (1877), a short story originally published in a magazine, like other early narrative works, such as ‘The Sire De Malétroit’s Door’ (1877), ‘Providence and the Guitar’ (1878), and ‘The Pavilion on the Links’“ (Dury). Thus, this making some of his works aimed toward the audience, the businessman, or perhaps their wife and elder offspring. For these articles, his assumption is that his audiences wishes to be entertained, and entertain them he sets out to do, not so much as to scare them or incite them, as people do not always appreciate, and neither would the press. Also following in these sections, but were aimed to younger children as well, were some of his novels, as is stated, "The four narrative works mentioned in this paragraph, though they all have youthful protagonists and were all first published in magazines for young people, are also clearly intended for adult readers" (Dury). There are also a few of his works-poems, and one or two full-length stories-whose purposes are for his own enjoyment and personal release, but published to provide entertainment, if perhaps a slight warning to those who would be willing to read, and who have the urge to travel. Though not all hint the possible dangers of his own wanderings, for he has yet more scriptures to study and learn from.

Works Cited Dury, Richard. “Robert Louis Stevenson's Life” //RLS Website//. n.p, n.d. n.pag.Web. 25 July 2013.

Historical-Natalie Marcantonio

Robert Louis Stevenson led a life full of adventure with his traveling and inspiration with his numerous works that are used in classrooms all around the nation. Stevenson came from a family of light engineers who hoped that he would follow in their footsteps. At first when he went to college he went into engineering but as the life article of The Robert Louis Stevenson (FLS) states, “...he abandoned this course of studies and made the compromise of studying law”(Dury). He finished his law degree at Edinburgh University he never practiced because he realized his real calling was in writing. His first essay, named Roads,was inspired by his constant travels with Edinburgh Universities young writers and painters over their summers. This also inspired his “travel works” as was stated, "His first published volume, An Inland Voyage (1878), is an account of the journey he made by canoe from Antwerp to northern France, in which prominence is given to the author and his thoughts"(Dury). Not long after that he met and then married his wife Fanny, whom he met on his journey to California. This journey inspired him to write a large scale work entitled “The Amateur Emigrant”, which was an account of this journey to California, and is considered his finest works. Later on when he wrote many of his short stories in the British Isles, making his work influenced by the Isles tradition which came from America, Russia and France. As he continued to write he came up with his “British tradition”. Another turning point in his life occurred for his famous work “Treasure Island”. He was at home with his family on a long, cold, rainy day when his son and he were making pictures of “an imaginary treasure island”. He later on wrote romances and other works as well. On his journey to the South Seas he wrote Scottish romances mostly. He died on December 3, 1894. He had written on his tombstone a quote from his poem “Requiem” that stated "Under the wide and starry sky, / Dig the grave and let me lie..."(Dury).

Works Cited Dury, Richard. “Robert Louis Stevenson's Life” //RLS Website.// n.p, n.d. n.pag.Web. 25 July 2013.

Cultural-Kyleigh Sacco

Though Robert Louis Stevenson’s work has not always necessarily been appreciated, his writing shifted culture greatly during his time and continues to shape culture today. One article states, “ Writing when the period of the three-volume novel (dominant from about 1840 to 1880) was coming to an end, he seems to have written everything except a traditional Victorian novel: plays, poems, essays, literary criticism, literary theory, biography, travelogue, reportage, romances, boys’ adventure stories, fantasies, fables, and short stories” (Dury). Stevenson was not afraid to step outside of the boundaries set by his time and create something entirely different; surprisingly this blatant refusal to write as the time period directed was received quite well by critics and other authors. For quite some time, his shorter writing style was embraced and allowed to shape the way that his culture perceived writing. However, he did eventually fall out of favor approximately twenty years after his death due to a shift in the cultural mindset. At this point, Stevenson’s writing was degraded on account of his rebelling against traditional writing style. Though this event has been hard for Stevenson’s writing to overcome, in recent years it has taken prominence once again. An article discussing the rise and fall of Stevenson’s writing states, “[...] the recent growth of interest in Stevenson’s works may have some connection with ‘cultural studies’, which sees a value in all sorts of texts and so overcomes the barrier perceived by ‘many a high-minded scholar’”(Dury). Now that a connection with Stevenson has been reintroduced his writing can once again begin to shape culture. Though in modern day there is not necessarily a set type of writing that Stevenson may defy, there is still plenty that his unique writing style can change. In creating such timeless pieces, Stevenson has opened up the opportunity to connect with readers throughout the ages and show them what a different take on things can get them. Stevenson’s writing has been very useful in shaping the outlook of cultures throughout the ages and creating a writing environment that does not necessarily discriminate.

Works Cited Dury, Richard. “Robert Louis Stevenson's Critical Reception.” //RLS Website//. n.p, n.d. n.pag. Web. 25 July 2013. Dury, Richard. “Robert Louis Stevenson's Life” //RLS Website//. n.p, n.d. n.pag.Web. 25 July 2013.