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Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Good Vs Evil

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“A moment before I had been safe of all men's respect, wealthy, beloved—the cloth laying for me in the dining-room at home; and now I was the common quarry of mankind, hunted, houseless, a known murderer, thrall to the gallows.” The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, explains that everyone has a dark side to them. In Dr. Jekyll’s case, it was Mr. Hyde. As the book goes on, Mr. Jekyll’s dark side soon becomes stronger than the good side and takes over the body. Many people question which theme fits best with this book, since many themes show as you read on. On one side of the debate, people think there are better fitting themes for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde such as violence because of …show more content…

Evil is because there is a constant battle between the two sides. On one side of the debate, some people think that the main theme is not Good vs. Evil because the novel mainly focuses on the evil side of Dr. Jekyll. One cannot deny that Mr. Jekyll's good side is not shown often. Nevertheless, even though the book has a lot to do with Mr. Hyde’s wrong doings, his good side still has to fight for control. For instance, the novel suggests, “I will tell you one thing: the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde.” (18). In other words, Dr. Jekyll is trying to say he can bottle up his dark side any time he wants. This proves that the two sides are constantly in battle to be in control at all times. Initially, the author adds, “This, as I take it, was because all human beings, as in meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.” (64). The texts directly states that there is good and evil shown throughout the book, Dr. Jekyll representing good, and Hyde evil. Additionally, Jekyll admits, “All things therefore seemed to point to this; that I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse.” (69). Jekyll tries to explain that his worse side was starting to become in control. His good side was slowly losing to his bad side and he couldn’t let that happen. This shows how the battle between each side was in …show more content…

Although some argue that Good vs. Evil is not the best fitting theme because if one side of a person is evil, the whole is evil. Certainly, this may be true, but Dr.Jekyll was always trying to right Mr. Hyde’s wrongs. Throughout the book, Dr.Jekyll does all he can to be in control of his dark side. He tries to cover his mistakes up and fight the urge to transform into Hyde. He fights for his good side to win. First, the text explains, “Yes, I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde.” (68). Mr. Hyde was starting to become the dominant side. Dr. Jekyll was afraid after this event had occurred. Following this, Dr. Jekyll had made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t turn into Hyde anymore because it had gotten out of control. Secondly, the author points out, “I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two.” (61). This quote explains that there is a good and evil side to every man. But, in Jekyll’s case, one side, the evil side, can and will eventually grow with power. Thirdly, the book cites, “I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.” (78). In the end, Jekyll must commit suicide to keep Mr. Hyde from taking over his whole body. This action proves that the the good side did everything he could to keep the bad side from being in control, even if that means death. Given these points, it is clear that, Good vs. Evil is the theme because good must strive to

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