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Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Setting Analysis

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In Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it illustrates the significance of reputation in a Victorian era setting. There’s a prominent representation of reputable men and emphasizing the proper attitude that should be exhibited during this time. In the beginning of the story, Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield show a great example of this self-being. Stevenson’s consistent serious tone heightens the mysterious mood within the words of the speakers. It reveals that bringing out the horror side of Dr. Jekyll, the story conjures up murky imagery that highlights the darkness and evil, like revealing fog when Mr. Hyde verges close. In the beginning of this story, there remains a strong sense of respecting …show more content…

Their tone stays very calm and doesn’t navigate towards gossip as told in their words. These two men “not only set aside occasions of pleasure, but even resisted the calls of business, that they might enjoy them uninterrupted.” (Stevenson 10). While on his walk with his friend Mr. Enfield, they stay very formal and prioritize their voice and appearance to the world rather than being themselves and talking about what they would like to or even doing something other than being on the weekly walk. Even though they might not enjoy this walk it’s continues to remain a priority. As we would today, Mr. Utterson stays true to those whom reputation has been shattered. These values stay instilled in them and continue to be carried throughout the novella as it was in the Victorian …show more content…

Utterson visits the house of Dr. Jekyll it evidently shows that the reputation of Dr. Jekyll is diminishing in Mr. Utterson’s eyes. “This was the home of Henry Jekyll's favorite; of a man who was heir to a quarter of a million sterling. (Stevenson 29). In his tone, you could sense the shock of seeing this house, with the assumption already set inside his head. His descriptive imagery of his surroundings and the view he is looking at add to his disappointment because of his expectations. Mr. Utterson takes into account that he is a “heir to a quarter of a million sterling” which proceeds to convince him that his house should be luxurious. When the pressure becomes to high to handle you can crash, and that is exactly what happened to Dr. Jekyll.
“...I found it hard to reconcile with my imperious desire to carry my head high, and wear a more than commonly grave countenance before the public. Hence it came about that I concealed my pleasures; and that when I reached years of reflection, and began to look round me and take stock of my progress and position in the world...” (Stevenson 59).
The strength to keep up a reputation in their time did not over power who you actually are. Dr. Jekyll found it difficult to keep a smile on his face and show people what he is not. It is apparent in his voice that he couldn’t commit to it anymore, and needed guidance to show his duplicity. His other half couldn’t clench onto the Victorian era reputable

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