In September of 1884, Robert Louis Stevenson, then in his mid-thirties, moved with his family to Bournemouth, a resort on the southern coast of England, where in the brief span of 23 months he revised A Child's Garden of Verses and wrote the novels Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . An intriguing combination of fantast thriller and moral allegory, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde depicts the gripping struggle of two opposing personalities — one essentially good, the other evil — for the soul of one man. Its tingling suspense and intelligent and sensitive portrayal of man's dual nature reveals Stevenson as a writer of great skill and originality, whose power to terrify and move us remains, over a century later, undiminished.
In "The Bottle Imp," Robert Louis Stevenson explores themes of morality, desire, and the consequences of one'Äôs choices through a captivating narrative steeped in Pacific Island folklore. The novella'Äôs structure blends elements of fantasy and adventure, laden with rich descriptions and a vivid sense of place. Stevenson's literary style harkens back to the 19th-century tradition of moral tales, utilizing wit and irony to engage the reader while imparting profound lessons about the nature of greed and the human condition. The story revolves around a magical bottle that grants wishes but comes with a dire consequence, encapsulating the conflict between ambition and ethical dilemma. Born in 1850 in Edinburgh, Stevenson was deeply influenced by his Scottish heritage and a lifetime of travel, including visits to the Pacific Islands. His experiences with varying cultures and philosophies significantly informed his writing. The notion of the bottle'Äîa potent symbol of desire and peril'Äîspeaks to Stevenson's enduring interest in the interplay of fascination and danger, a reflection of his own adventurous spirit and desire to challenge societal norms. Stevenson'Äôs "The Bottle Imp" is a compelling read for those intrigued by moral quandaries and the supernatural. This novella not only entertains but also provokes critical reflections on the human psyche, making it essential for scholars, students, and general readers alike who seek to understand the complexities of choice and consequence in life.
"What did he die of?" I inquired. "Some kind of sickness," says the captain. "It appears it took him sudden. Seems he got up in the night, and filled up on Pain Killer and Kennedy's Discovery. No go -- he was booked beyond Kennedy. Then he had tried to open a case of gin. No go again -- not strong enough. Then he must have turned to and run out on the veranda, and capsized over the rail. When they found him, the next day, he was clean crazy -- carried on all the time about somebody watering his copra. Poor John!" "Was it thought to be the island?" I asked. "Well, it was thought to be the island, or the trouble, or something," he replied.