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The Murder Of The Dealer In Robert Louis Stevenson's Markheim

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In Robert Louis Stevenson’s short story, “Markheim”, the murder of the dealer plays a vital role. Although it raises an abundance of questions regarding Markheim’s alternative motive. Upon closer examination, it is apparent that he stabbed the dealer to cover up his previous crimes. Markhiem’s unlawful act was carefully planned, which can be noted when the dealer offers him the hand mirror as a potential present. In which Markheim refers it to a “hand conscience” (Stevenson 107). From his reaction towards the hand mirror, presumably Markheim is acknowledging his own guilty conscience prior to committing the murder. Markheim was also “…familiar with the mingled shine and darkness in the shop” (Stevenson 105) and known to the dealer who occupied

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