Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Gothic Elements

Stevenson writes ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ with the intention of showing the reader the duality of man and explores this through the juxtaposition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this novella, Stevenson also uses the environment and setting of the story to represent the contrast between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The sophisticatedly-constructed novel ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ was devised in 1886, during the revolutionary Victorian era, by the author, Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson developed a desire to write in his early life and ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ cemented his reputation. The novel is widely known for its shocking principles that terrified and alarmed the Victorian readers. ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ plays with the idea of the dual nature of man, his two identities. On the surface, Dr Jekyll is a conventional, Victorian gentleman, but below the surface lurks the primitive, satanic-like creature of Mr Edward Hyde. One of the elements that play a significant part in the novel is setting. Stevenson subtly uses the setting to

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novel written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886. It concerns a lawyer, Gabriel Utterson, who investigates the strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the reclusive Mr. Edward Hyde. This novel represents an ideology in Western culture; the perpetual conflict between humanity’s virtuosity and immorality. It is interpreted as an accurate guidebook to the Victorian era’s belief of the duality of human nature. This essay will explore Mr. Edward Hyde and whether Stevenson intended for him to be a mere character in the novel or something of wider significance.

In the novel ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ Robert Louis Stevenson explores humankinds conflicting forces of Good and Evil. Through the central characters and the key theme of the duplicity of mankind Robert Louis Stevenson successfully portrays the theme of Good and Evil in the novel ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Being a purveyor of the law, he is in the position to oversee many "downgoing men" (Stevenson 1) and functions as an inspirational example of the refinement attributed to the upper class of which he is a member.  However, Mr. Utterson is troubled when Dr. Jekyll, also a member of the upper class, wills his property to a then-unknown Mr. Hyde.  He is "offended ...both as a lawyer and as a lover of the sane and customary sides of life, to whom the fanciful is immodest" (6).  Utterson does not, however, pry into the affair until the inheritor is described as monstrous.  This further demonstrates his sense of social obligation.  Before hearing the story that Mr. Hyde trampled a young girl, Utterson is able to restrain his first impression of Dr. Jekyll's decree; but upon hearing the reputable account, he can no longer ignore his sense of social and moral obligation to make things right.  Utterson suspects that blackmail is the reason for the atypical will, and whether for the purpose of legitimizing the monstrous story or having a primary account of Mr. Hyde, he seeks out this character before confronting his client, Dr. Jekyll.

Utterson is what would be considered as the perfect European gentleman. A prominent lawyer who was well respected in his community and is now trying to protect his long-term friend, Jekylls’ reputation from the mysterious Mr. Hyde. There are few instances in the novel when Mr. Utterson is taking walks with Mr. Enfield, but they do not gossip, or otherwise speak ill of those closest to either of them, especially Utterson, as if they were of blood relation.[5] Although he investigates what seems to be an unrealistic series of events, he chooses to not believe it and to continue looking for an explanation. And just as Utterson avoids the reality of what he may have discovered, as inconceivable as it may be, so too does European society prefer to deny the existence of an uncivilized acts of inhumanity, no matter how essential these acts may be.[6]

In the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde it is regarded that these identities are two different persons but this is not the case, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are one in the same. There is much confusion when reading this literary work by Robert Louis Stevenson; this piece is regarded as horrific and disturbing in many ways. But the biggest twist is when it is reveled to the reader that these two people are the same and that below the surface of Dr.Jekyll is an evil man who enjoys committing evil acts. Mainly that Dr. Jekyll believes he has no choice but to commit these horrid acts because he has no control over is evil side. I don’t believe this is the case, Hyde isn’t a real person and doesn’t exist, nor is he someone who commits

Utterson wanted to express his contradictory opinion about Mr. Hyde to Jekyll, but Jekyll doesn't want to hear anything and says "This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop." Dr Jekyll not being kind indicates that he is against changing his mind and his will, showing that he is a man who is very committed. "I am painfully situated, Utterson; my position is a very strange—a very strange one. Jekyll is firm about not needing help but appreciates Utterson's help and says ‘‘It is one of those affairs that cannot be mended by talking." showing that he doesn't tell Utterson anything because he doesn't want this to affect his reputation.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the play Trifles are similar and different in their acts of violent behavior. In both genres the man and woman took a life, killed a person and had no regret. However, in the late nineteenth century in London, England Dr. Henry Jekyll dark side is kept under control. The dark half of him has a vicious appetite to do evil. There is no love lost between Jekyll and Hyde. Edward Hyde enjoys the tasteful lust of violence. His barbaric cold expression is noted by Mr. Utterson. The first impression Mr. Utterson got from Hyde, Hyde’s a friend to Satan. In spite of Dr. Jekyll honorable personality, fear grips Mr. Utterson mind. Mr. Hyde dwarfish appearance and bold displeasing smile is cause enough for Mr. Utterson to fear for Jekyll safety and involvement with such an evil man.

Evelynn Garcia Mrs. Moore English II ECHS A 1 29 February 2024 Literary Analysis Conflict within one's self can have repercussions on those around us. Even the most morally upright individuals can be susceptible to the corrupting influence of their darker impulses. Chapter 6 of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, the deep exploration of human duality is revealed. The struggle with inner disturbance affects relationships, creating distrust and exposing the extensive impact of struggle with dual nature and complicating the ability to form human relationships. In chapter 2 of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Stevenson intricately explores the theme of the duality of man through the interactions between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Dr. Jekyll is an upstanding citizen and as a doctor, helps out those who need him. He even wants to help out the heartless Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll tells Mr. Utterson, “I do sincerely take a great, a very great interest in that young man” (bbc.co.uk). By the end of the story the reader knows that Dr. Jekyll wants to help Mr. Hyde because they are the same person. Dr. Jekyll is the yin - the good, while Mr. Hyde is the yang - the evil. Mr. Hyde, the other main character, is a very unsightly being. In the novella his description is, “Mr. Hyde was pale dwarfish, he gave an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation” (Stevenson, 1684). When Mr. Utterson looked upon Mr. Hyde, he was filled with disgust and loathing, and fear that was inexplicable. Mr. Gabriel Utterson, who is a secondary character, is described as a “rational, respectable, calm, and curious man” (bbc.co.uk). Naturally he would want to understand what kind of man would trample all over a child and just leave him or her there on the ground, in the middle of the night, no apology, and without sending for her parents. He is also persistent in dealing with trying to find where Mr. Hyde is located. “ ‘If he be Mr. Hyde,’ he had thought, ‘I shall be Mr. Seek’ “ (Stevenson, 1683). This was something that he couldn’t let go of, and he needed to find out who Mr. Hyde was. Mr. Utterson is also caring; he cares about Dr. Henry Jekyll, who also happens to be his

Utterson saw Jekyll since they were good friends he saw that this person in front of him was not his good friend. Dr.jekyll the good the kind and Hyde is turning him into a dark, and evil person. All these things that are happening to Jekyll is making his body sick, deadly looking. “This master Hyde, if he were studied though he , must have secrets of his own:black secrets, by the look of him; secrets compared to which poor Jekylls worst would be like sunshine.” (18 Stevenson) This quote shows that Dr.jekyll is good,compared to Hyde he is good. Even Dr.Jekyll’s Darkest deepest secrets compared to Hyde’s secrets Jekyll’s look like sunshine, and cant even compare to Hyde’s secrets. “Now that that evil influence had been withdrawn, a new life began for Dr.Jekyll.”(31 Stevenson)This Quote shows that Mr. Hyde is evil. Hyde’s evil influence on Dr.jekyll who was a good man and Mr.Hyde was turning him into something evil. With his evil influence gone Dr.Jekyll can be himself; a good man.”It turns me to think of this creature stealing like a thief to harry’s bedside; poor harry what a wakening!” (18 Stevenson)This quote shows that everyone had a bad feeling about Mr.Hyde, Utterson knew that Hyde was bad, and evil. Utterson hated to see his oldest friend Dr.jekyll get his life ruined by a a thief and and

Robert Louis Stevenson was a popular 19th-century author who wrote books such as Treasure Island. One of Stevenson’s classic works is called Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. In this book, Dr. Jekyll conducts a science experiment that morphs him into Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde is the opposite of Dr. Jekyll. Where Dr. Jekyll represents temperance, virtue and science, Mr. Hyde represents passion, immoral behavior and a complete lack of reason. Whereas Dr.Jekyll is a law abiding citizens, Hyde runs rampant committing act of violence and murder. Within the story of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde one can obtain a moral lesson on appropriate behavior during the Victorian times. While it is still taboo to commit murder, other aspects of Hyde's personality deviate from the social norms at the

Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde unveils various gothic elements. It is a mesh of different stories into one. The several narratives embraced by Jekyll do not exist separately, but instead rely on one another, (Germana, 2011). The Gothicism in, and concept of the novella shocked readers of its time. The novella offered new scientific thought, which many feared and could not accept.

We discover that Utterson is Jekyll’s lawyer, and we find out from Utterson reading Jekyll’s will that in the event of Dr. Jekyll’s death or disappearance, his entire estate will be given to and unknown man by the name of Mr. Hyde. Mr. Utterson is extremely suspicious of Mr. Hyde since Jekyll has never talked about him before. He decides to find out who this mysterious man is. So, He waits outside Mr.Hyde’s house for many nights until down until Mr. Hyde appears one night Utterson and Hyde have a conversation of how Jekyll has never mentioned him and bid