SH+P5+2013+Robert+Louis+Stevenson’s+essay+A+Chapter+on+Dreams

Robert Louis Stevenson’s essay “A Chapter on Dreams” Alexys Callan Visual:  (Stevenson age four.)

Sickness and culture allowed Stevenson to connect to his writing. In "A Chapter on Dreams", Robert Louis Stevenson expresses: These were extremely poor experiences, on the whole; and at that time of life my dreamer would have very willingly parted with his power of dreams. But presently, in the course of his growth, the cries and physical contortions passed away, seemingly for ever; his visions were still for the most part miserable, but they were more constantly supported; and he would awake with no more extreme symptom than a flying heart, a freezing scalp, cold sweats, and the speechless midnight fear.

In this line Stevenson tells how his sickness gave him story, but how? For much of his childhood Stevenson was very sick, and for this reason he was raised by a nanny. To comfort him, his nanny would tell him folk tales, as she believed strongly in these, which were an early source for his nightmares. Because of his sickness, Stevenson could not attend school, but instead was homeschooled. Still, he often had much spare time and would write often about his dreams. At a young age he was a talented writer, and as he grew his talent became more impressive. Most of his story ideas did in fact come from his dreams, such as Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. "A Chapter on Dreams", describes a few of his dreams, and the idea that he is only writing down someone elses stories. However, he later expresses that he is the true author coming up with these stories in such an unorthodox manner. Without sickness or his nanny’s cultural beliefs, his writing would not exist.

Works Cited Stevenson, Robert Louis. ""A Chapter on Dreams"." Selected Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson. Lit2Go Edition. 1892. Web. Balfour, Graham. The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson. London: Elibron, 2005. 30-31. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Robert Louis Stevenson’s essay “A Chapter on Dreams” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Kacey Seeloff <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Visual: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">"A Chapter on Dreams" was intended to be directed towards a general class of people, his readers. Robert Louis stated, "And yet how often have these sleepless Brownies done him honest service, and given him, as he sat idly taking his pleasure in the boxes, better tales than he could fashion for himself" (Stevenson). The author admits that it was not him who was liable for the vivid stories in which he wrote, it was the little people gathering upon the stage to perform in such harmony, unique dreams played within his head. However, as he sold the books, and received all of the credit, the guilt begins to set in for it was not him alone who had composed these books. Stevenson is speaking to his readers and giving the respectfully earned credit back to the Brownies. In addition, the Brownies themselves are being spoken to and given gratitude for giving him the dreams. Speaking to his subconscious, the Brownies' powers are being not only gratified, but forgiven for the many dreams that were never completely appraised. The performances have reached the end and the actors bow, finally being given the recognition deserved.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Works Cited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Stevenson, Robert Louis. ""A Chapter on Dreams"." Selected Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Lit2Go Edition. 1892. Web.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The Historical Implications of "A Chapter on Dreams" by Robert Louis Stevenson <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Sarah Carruth <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Visual: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Illustrated By Leonor Fini

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">A Chapter of Dreams is written about a man who had terrifying nightmares each and every night. These dreams were exceptionally vivid and the man would frequently awake with a fever, cold sweats, or a rapidly beating heart from these nightmares. During the time period that Stevenson wrote this essay, Queen Victoria was still in power and in today's time we have Presidents and Prime Ministers that run our countries instead of kings and queens. "He seemed to himself to stand before the Great White Throne" (Stevenson, Robert Louis). This quote gives describes how monarchs still ruled the country because it mentions that the dreamer stood before the Queen's throne. The fact that Queen Victoria was in power shows the time difference between when this essay was written and modern day times because monarchs are no longer in power in modern times. Another event that was occurring during the 1890's in the United Kingdom was the Victorian Period, named after Queen Victoria. During this time period the middle class became more wealthy making those people feel more sophisticated and proper, which would describe why Stevenson used more complex words and references throughout the essay.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Work Cited: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Stevenson, Robert Louis. ""A Chapter on Dreams"." Selected Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Lit2Go Edition. 1892. Web. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Fini, Leanor. Red Vision. 1984. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Red Vision. Web. 25 July 2013.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Robert Louis Stevenson’s essay “A Chapter on Dreams” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Catherine Gavin <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Visual: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Throughout the essay, Robert Louis Stevenson talks about an author whom bases all his books off his dreams. Near the end of the essay, Stevenson admits that author is himself. However, though these dreams are solely his, Stevenson feels that he is not the one doing the work, that he is the one that is benefiting from the work that others do. This is demonstrated in a sentence in his essay, ‘A Chapter on Dreams,’ “That part which is done while I am sleeping is the Brownies' part beyond contention; but that which is done when I am up and about is by no means necessarily mine, since all goes to show the Brownies have a hand in it even then” (Stevenson). Within this quote, Stevenson is basically saying that he is not doing any of the work of creating the book. It is all his “Brownies,” which is what he calls the “little people” who make his dreams. Since Stevenson is convinced that the work that he puts out is not necessarily his, he has a sense of guilt. By writing this essay, however, he is convincing himself that he should be proud of the work that he does. He also thanks the “Brownies” for giving him the dreams that he has, so that he can write his books. In writing this essay, Stevenson finally comes to terms with using his dreams for inspiration by admitting it. At the same time, he is also somewhat thanking the Brownies, and in the end coming to terms with himself.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Works Cited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Stevenson, Robert Louis. ""A Chapter on Dreams"." Selected Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson. L <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.425; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">it2Go Edition. 1892. Web. July 26, 2013.