Essays of Travel

"Essays of Travel" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a compilation of travel writings from the late 1800s that follows Stevenson on his travels from Europe to America, giving readers a look into the lives of the emigrants he meets on his trip. The book mainly focuses on emigration, showing both the dreams and the tough times that people faced when trying to start over in a new land. The beginning of "Essays of Travel" puts readers right into the author's trip on a ship to America, as he writes about the people he meets along the way. Stevenson points out the different backgrounds of the travelers, like Scots, Irish, Scandinavians, and Americans, each with their own reasons for leaving their homes. He paints a clear picture of the conditions in the lower and middle sections of the ship, showing the differences in wealth and comfort. Through thoughtful and often funny writing, he looks at ideas of who we are, hope, and what it means to be human, all within the story of emigration, setting the scene for a bigger discussion about society and personal connections as the journey continues.