Prayers Written At Vailima

Name: Prayers Written At Vailima
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Prayers Written at Vailima is a collection of prayers written by Robert Louis Stevenson during his time living in Samoa. The prayers are divided into two sections: prayers of thanksgiving and prayers of supplication. In the prayers of thanksgiving, Stevenson expresses his gratitude for the beauty of nature, the joy of friendship, and the blessings of life. In the prayers of supplication, Stevenson asks for guidance, strength, and courage in the face of adversity. Throughout the prayers, Stevenson reflects on his own mortality and the fragility of life. The collection is a testament to Stevenson’s faith and his appreciation for the world around him.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1916 · Genre: Religious Literature, Biography, Poetry · 15 chapters · 2,720 words

First lines

IN _every Samoan household the day is closed with prayer and the singing of hymns_. _The omission of this sacred duty would indicate_, _not only a lack of religious training in the house chief_, _but a shameless disregard of all that is reputable in Samoan social life_. _No doubt_, _to many_, _the evening service is no more than a duty fulfilled_. _The child who says his prayer at his mother's knee can have no real conception of the meaning of the words he lisps so readily_, _yet he goes to his little bed with a sense of heavenly protection that he would miss were the prayer forgotten_. _The average Samoan is but a larger child in most things_, _and_ _would lay an uneasy head on his wooden pillow if he had not joined_, _even perfunctorily_, _in the evening service_. _With my husband_, _prayer_, _the direct appeal_, _was a necessity_. _When he was happy he felt impelled to offer thanks for that undeserved joy_; _when in sorrow_, _or pain_, _to call for strength to bear what must be borne_.

What this Textopian page supports

Prayers Written At Vailima is listed on Textopian as an essay by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1916 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1916 CE
Language: English
Genres: Religious Literature, Biography, Poetry, Fiction
Length: 2,720 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 91 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Prayers Written At Vailima by Robert Louis Stevenson
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this essay by Robert Louis Stevenson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres

Religious Literature — The title of the book, 'Prayers Written At Vailima', suggests that the book is about religious prayers, making this the most relevant genre.
Biography — The book is written by Robert Louis Stevenson, suggesting that it is a biography of his life and experiences.
Poetry — The book is likely to contain poetic elements, as it is a collection of prayers written by Stevenson.
Fiction — The book may contain fictional elements, as it is a collection of prayers written by Stevenson.