Stevenson as a Reader of French Literature (2025)

Robert Louis Stevenson and Nineteenth-Century French Literature: Literary Relations at the Fin de Siècle

Katherine Ashley

Published:

2022

Online ISBN:

9781399518864

Print ISBN:

9781474493239

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Robert Louis Stevenson and Nineteenth-Century French Literature: Literary Relations at the Fin de Siècle

Katherine Ashley

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Katherine Ashley

Katherine Ashley

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Pages

26–65

  • Published:

    April 2022

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Ashley, Katherine, 'Stevenson as a Reader of French Literature', Robert Louis Stevenson and Nineteenth-Century French Literature: Literary Relations at the Fin de Siècle (Edinburgh, 2022; online edn, Edinburgh Scholarship Online, 23 May 2024), https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9781474493239.003.0002, accessed 23 May 2024.

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Abstract

This chapter examines Stevenson’s essays on French literature in relation to the development of the novel across national and generic boundaries. It begins by demonstrating how Stevenson situates himself within this literary evolution in his essays on French authors like Victor Hugo, Jules Verne and Alexandre Dumas. It then examines how his essays on realism from the 1880s function as responses to French literary debates over Realism and Naturalism. It ends with an analysis of Stevenson’s reading of popular, non-canonical, and emerging French writers and how this reading relates to his interest in generic innovation that merges plot-centric storytelling with stylistic sophistication. The chapter is divided into three sections: ‘Stevenson’s French Essays’; ‘Stevenson, Realism and Naturalism’; ‘Reading for Pleasure’.

Keywords: Robert Louis Stevenson, Essays, Realism, Naturalism, Reading for Pleasure, Reading Habits, Popular Literature, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola

Subject

Literary Studies (Romanticism)

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Stevenson as a Reader of French Literature (2025)

FAQs

What is Stevenson remembered for in literature? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson is best known as the author of the children's classic Treasure Island (1882), and the adult horror story, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). Both of these novels have curious origins.

Who did Stevenson meet in France? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson not only experienced the Bohemian French lifestyle during his visits here with his cousin, he also met Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne, the woman who would later be his wife (for more details of their meeting see the section, below, devoted to Grez-sur-Loing).

What is the difficulty of literature Robert Louis Stevenson? ›

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.

Which word best represents the author's point of view about literary analysis: easy, pointless, boring, challenging? ›

The word that best represents the author's point of view about literary analysis is "Boring."Explanation:According to the author's viewpoint in the excerpt, "psychology itself, when pushed to any nicety, discovers an abhorrent baldness, but rather from the fault of our analysis than from any poverty native to the mind. ...

What themes does Stevenson explore in the novel? ›

This section looks at the Key themes in Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
  • Duality of man. Jekyll asserts that “man is not truly one, but truly two,” ...
  • Good versus Evil. Dr. ...
  • Repression. ...
  • Friendship and Loyalty. ...
  • Appearances and Reputation. ...
  • Curiosity. ...
  • Lies and Deceit. ...
  • Violence.

How does Stevenson create a sense of mystery in the novel? ›

Many of the novel's key events involving Mr Hyde happen in the dark, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. Other settings – old buildings, Jekyll's laboratory, for example, are all used to build up tension and suspense throughout the novella.

What is Robert Louis Stevenson most famous for? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer; but he is probably best known for the classics Treasure Island, A Child's Garden of Verses, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Did Robert Louis Stevenson live in France? ›

Between 8 September and 9 October 1882, RLS travelled from Edinburgh via London and Paris to Montpellier with Bob Stevenson. He had been “ordered south” by Dr Andrew Clark. RLS was in Montpellier, Marseille and Nice before finally settling in Hyeres until June 1884.

What happened when Stevenson met Henry? ›

Henry treats Stevenson with warmth and kindness when they meet, and the two become friends over the course of Bryan's summer law internship at the SPDC.

What is the famous quote by Robert Louis Stevenson? ›

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.

What was Robert Louis Stevenson criticized for? ›

Stevenson's work was praised for its originality, adventure, and vividness. However, his personal life was often the subject of controversy, such as his use of cocaine and his unconventional marriage.

What is Robert Louis Stevenson's writing style? ›

Answer and Explanation: R. L. Stevenson or Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson was a writer during the Victorian era, whose works included a blend of poetry and prose. While the tone of Stevenson's writing style varied, depending upon his work, however, the technical elements displayed a certain pattern.

How does the line in bold demonstrate Stevenson's purpose 4 points? ›

The line in bold demonstrate Stevenson's purpose by describing his excitement about the future, as well as his fear of it.

What is the author's perspective on the topic called? ›

Author's viewpoint is the way an author looks at a topic or the ideas being described. Viewpoint includes the content and the language used to present the data. Thoughtful readers decipher an author's point of view, opinions, hypotheses, assumptions, and possible bias.

Which point of view is really difficult to write in and really rare? ›

Second person point of view– very rare and hard to pull off.

Why is Robert Louis Stevenson important? ›

Why is Robert Louis Stevenson important? Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish essayist, poet, and author of fiction and travel books, best known for his works Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

What is the legacy of RL Stevenson? ›

Legacy of Robert Louis Stevenson

They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Stevenson was an indefatigable letter writer, and his letters (edited by Sidney Colvin in 1899) provide a lively and enchanting picture of the man and his life.

What literary genre does Stevenson belong to? ›

Neo-romanticism

What is Stevenson style of writing? ›

Stevenson's style is a blend of directness and complexity, marked by rhythmic prose, vivid language, and a masterful control of narrative pace. His writing not only tells a story but also weaves a tapestry of linguistic artistry that has stood the test of time, continuing to delight and inspire.

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