The values that were typical of Robert Louis Stevenson's age were the honor and morality of one's self and one's family. An individual must never do anything that would diminish reputation but strive to maintain it or better it. Individuals were to be characters of good moral standing. There was a firm belief in the upkeep of outward appearances of dignity and restrain. Individuals were also supposed to uphold the law above all else, except God. In the middle classes, the idea of self-made men and entrepreneurship was born and this fostered the "American Dream".