The Culture Of Stevenson

The Culture Of Stevenson’s Time Essay, Research Paper Echoly Vue April 12,1999 CP English IV Ms. Wade The Culture of Stevenson s Time The novel The Black Arrow, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, reflects the culture that was around in Robert Louis Stevenson s time. The legend of Robin Hood was very popular during Stevenson s time, with classic elements of good versus evil and the protagonist being the underdog. “Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the world s most popular and most versatile of writers (RLS 1).” Stevenson wrote many extraordinary novels. “In fact Henry James, a well known American novelist, once praised Stevenson as the only man in England who can write a decent English sentence (RLS 2).” This statement gives proof that Stevenson was well loved in his

time. “He loved the open air, the sea, adventure, and he loved to read (RLS 3).” His love for adventure and reading may have made him more creative and more open minded. “Stevenson was a sickly child. He was constantly sick in bed (RLS 4).” The time that these sicknesses gave him could have made him very creative and allowed him to have more time for reading other novels. These novels might have influenced him to later become a writer himself. “Since he was in bed almost all the time, he made up a make-believe world (RLS 5).” According to the report given by Jim Murphy, Murphy thought that Stevenson was or must have been bored as a child and this might have made him move into the subject of adventure. “He has a strong sense of atmosphere, and above all his masterly

command of style give his novels and stories enduring vitality (RLS 6).” This quote reflects how Stevenson wrote to explain his many settings in detail. “Stevenson wrote many of his best books from a sick bed (Encyclopedia 1).” He was mostly in bed because of his sickness but must have been or wanted to be where his books or novels were. That is how he came up with the ideas for his novels. He must have imagined himself as one of the person finding the treasure in Treasure Island, fighting with pirates, and going on voyages instead of staying in his bed. “Stevenson insisted… that one of the legitimate and necessary functions of literature is to supply adventure for people who lead unexciting lives (Encyclopedia 2).” He wanted everyone to feel the adventure of the

novel itself. He wanted the reader to feel like he was almost touching the tree or sensing the fear that the character had. “The first book of Robin Hood was printed in 1520 and it was passed down (Becker 7).” The people of Stevenson s time loved Robin Hood so much and may have made an impression to Stevenson to write the novel The Black Arrow. “Tells how Robin Hood and his men were all outlaws (Becker 10).” May have helped Stevenson get an idea of what to write on. Stevenson must have loved this book because he wrote a book close to the story of Robin Hood. Robin Hood and the War of the Roses were a great influence for this novel. “A fierce war rages between two bitter rivals: on one side the House of Lancaster; on the other the House of York. The prize is the crown of

England. Young Richard Shelton finds himself torn in his loyalties. He must decide wisely, for his fate and that of England hang in the balance in this classic and unabridged portrait of England during the War of the Roses (Stevenson 1).” According to Stevenson in his novel TheBlack Arrow it is based mostly during the time of Robin Hood and the War of the Roses. “It was growing late; the sun was setting in the plain beyond Kettley; the treetops overhead glowed golden; but the shadows had begun to grow darker and the chill of the night fall (Stevenson 73).” This quote tells how good Stevenson did explaining the setting. Even though he wrote it quickly for the need of money, he still explained the setting that would make you feel like your almost there. “Out of the odd