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Robert Louis Stevenson: Pavilion on the Links


For anyone who has read Stevenson's short story "Pavilion on the Links" here is a short discussion of the story and a key passage.  For anyone who hasn't, here is a short explication dealing with a passage from the short story.  The prompt is as follows:
In "The Pavilion on the Links," Frank Cassilis, the story's narrator, describes his friend Northmour:
"My wife and I, a man and a woman, have often agreed to wonder how a person could be, at the same time, so handsome and so repulsive as Northmour.  He had the appearance of a finished gentleman; his face bore every mark of intelligence and courage; but you had only to look at him, even in his most amiable moment, to see that he had the temper of a slaver captain.  I never knew a character that was both explosive and revengeful to the same degree; he combined the vivacity of the south with the sustained and deadly hatreds of the north; and both traits were plainly written on his face, which was a sort of danger signal.  In person, he was tall, strong, and active; his hair and complexion very dark; his features handsomely designed, but spoiled by a menacing expression. [pp. 30-31]"
Is this passage significant for the development of Northmour's character and can it be related to the theme of the story?

            This passage was very important to the development of Northmour’s character throughout “Pavilion on the Links.”  Stevenson uses this passage to almost foreshadow how Northmour is going to react later in the story.  He stays very true to this description of Northmour throughout the story.  By saying Northmour was “repulsive,” Stevenson develops the reason for which Clara chooses Mr. Cassilis over Northmour.  It’s obvious that while Frank watches Northmour and Clara on the beach, that Clara doesn't really like him, and she shows this by rejecting his hand when he tries to take hers.  Northmour’s character is also characterized as having the “temper of a slaver captain.”  This is seen throughout the story.  His attack of Frank nine years before the beginning of the story is just one instance.  His treatment of Frank and the battles that ensue between them, especially towards the end of the story are a testament to Northmour’s temperament, characterized first in this passage.  Northmour also seems to take offence at very little gestures, especially where Clara is concerned.
            The theme of this story seems to me to deal with how beautiful or good things are often marred or “spoiled by a menacing expression.”  For example, Clara’s beauty is overshadowed by her father and the danger they’re in.  Frank’s love for Clara was spoiled by the jealousy and annoyance of Northmour.  This passage refers to the theme because Northmour himself is a kind of embodiment of this theme.  He’s a polished gentleman, intelligent, courageous, “strong”, “tall”, and attractive.  However, he is marred or “spoiled” by his other traits.  He’s also described as “explosive”, vengeful, unforgiving, harboring of hatreds, his complexion is “dark,” and he’s described as having the “temper of a slaver captain.”  These traits, it is said are a “sort of danger sign.”  So while Northmour is a refined gentleman, and has instances in the story where he acts like a gentleman, he is also spoiled by his menacing and unappealing traits.


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