More often than not, it is how an author writes, not what, that can have the greatest impact on the reader. Originally published in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson’s enticing gothic thriller, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde observes the classic tale of man versus monster, only this man’s monster is himself. This story of woe follows the respected lawyer, Gabriel Utterson as he investigates the remarkably strange behavior of his friend Dr. Henry Jekyll. As Utterson continues to pursue the truth he discovers a horrifying truth; Henry Jekyll is the same person as Edward Hyde, a hunted killer. The well-known thriller entices the reader with the emerging Victorian fear that science would lead to the destructive collapse of their society, …show more content…
Stevenson benefits from the usage of imagery to contribute to his overall idea of the Victorian fear that the fall of society would be brought about by science. This begins fairly quickly, within Enfield’s story in the first chapter of the book. With Hyde’s very first appearance he is described in ways that make him appear malevolent and uncaring, concerned only for his own well-being. This early exhibition of Hyde serves to show that in the eyes of the Victorian characters, integrated within the story of Jekyll and Hyde, that the scientific creation of Hyde is seen as a creature of unholy standards, born not of the God-given ability to create life, but the scientific innovation to alter it. As the story progresses to show Jekyll’s lab, it is also described in a similar manner. In its initial appearance, it is described as “a door covered in red baize” (18) and having “three dusty windows barred with iron” (18). The red door acts as a foreshadowing of the death that is to occur in the doctor's …show more content…
The novel begins with a brief description of Utterson, relating him to Cain, with Utterson often acting as the voice of reason throughout the novel this statement contains an added weight. The fact that Utterson keeps to himself is similar to Jekyll’s isolation in his work, though they contrast one another as Jekyll eventually falls into insanity and takes his own life while Utterson tries to save him, ignoring his earlier statement regarding Cain and leading to his own emotional trauma. Also, once Poole truly fears for his master and attempts to enlist Utterson’s aid, he is offered wine and leaves it alone. With biblical connotations applied, somebody who is not allowed to drink wine, a symbol of the blood of Christ, is seen as impure and unprepared to receive God into their body. This implies that Poole has seen too many of the horrors of Jekyll’s work and himself become influenced by his master’s unholy doings. Lastly, in Jekyll’s confessions, he refers to Hyde’s growing power over him as ”like the Babylonian finger on the wall, to be spelling out the letter of my judgment” (48) The Babylonian writing on the wall refers to the end of an empire within the contents of the bible. This serves as a strong message that science is the ultimate weapon in the
His appearance was just like the door “blistered” and “distained” as this diction symbolizes Hyde’s character has a sense of ambiguity of being disliked by others or discoloured. Here, the door symbolizes the gateway to the more evil world; it is the access point for violence and unpleasantness feelings. For example, the door was not equipped with “neither bell nor knocker” means that they weren’t expecting any visitors, which portrays the secretive world behind the door. With this, the setting of the door is being highlighted as the gateway to the dark elements of the human soul metaphorically. In fact, the door creates a distinction between what lies beyond the door and the truth of what happened to Dr. Jekyll in this lab. This also links to the name of Hyde which is pronounced as “hide” here it gives the impression to the reader of the secretive nature of Dr. Jekyll. However, the knocking down of the door later in the novel puts an end between the two contrasting worlds. With this, it reveals to the reader about the truth of the character Jekyll and Hyde. Therefore the settings play a major role in stirring up the characters in the novel and foreshadows sinful elements further in the
‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ is a novel written by Stevenson. The author creates unique structure which can be defined as ‘non-linear’. Throughout the novel, there are many different examples of this non-linear structure. All the chapters have a name, and the author chooses to reveal important information in letters which are sent from character to character, this creates tension in the reader about the relationship between Jekyll and 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
During the story Hyde’s actions compounds our first impressions of him. Stevenson never says exactly what Hyde takes pleasure in on his nightly forays but it is thought to be of things that would ruin Jekyll’s reputation if they ever came out. There is thought to be strong ties to drugs, alcohol addiction and other dangerous dealings; ‘he had once visited her (the maid’s) master and for whom she had conceived a dislike’. In the very first chapter, Mr Enfield tells his friend, Mr Utterson, a story where he witnessed a strange looking man walking along a deserted street, who ‘trampled calmly over (a) child’s body and left her screaming on the ground’ when they collided.
Jekyll’s outward actions may disguise his internal disarray, but it is clearly depicted in his environment. The habitations of Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde parallel the arrangement of his mind state. While Jekyll’s home is open for all to view and enter, every abode highly associated with Hyde is kept locked and off-limits. Hyde’s residence, or the nether-side of Jekyll’s, is an impenetrable fortress with no windows and which showed every sign of “prolonged and sordid negligence” (8). Jekyll’s private cabinet, which contained the chemical components for bringing about his transformation into Hyde, had a door that was “very strong, the lock excellent,” and which required “two hour’s work” by a locksmith to allow admittance (43). The most obvious representative residence is that of Jekyll’s last refuge in the inner sanctum of his scientific research building. The door had to be repeatedly axed to allow forced entry as “the wood was tough and the fittings were of excellent workmanship” (38). This area proved to be the most revelatory of Jekyll’s unconscious, containing many “closets” that
in 1885. It is said that the idea for the novel came to Stevenson in a
That which is willed and that which is wanted can be as different as the mind and the heart. The Victorian age in English Literature is known for its earnest obedience to a moralistic and highly structured social code of conduct; however, in the last decade of the 19th Century this order began to be questioned. So dramatic was the change in thought that Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (published in 1883) and Doyle's The Sign of Four (published in 1890) can be used to display this breaking away from strict social and moral standards. Stevenson's
a wooden door on a wall with no windows, and is revealed to lead 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.
Stevenson’s intention is to express that Hyde represents the dark side inside of everybody and he explains how letting your evil side out can affect your life when he tells us that “ the dark influence of Hyde had been withdrawn, the doctor has returned
Imagery plays a key role in the exploration of Dr. Jekyll's double character. Stevenson's use of imagery intensifies the plot and its relationship between good and evil (Rollyson 1863-1864). For example, Hyde is described as "apelike" and "like a monkey" while Dr. Jekyll is portrayed as handsome and elegant with "proper stature" (25-26, 38). This example indicates a "reverse evolutionary process" and confirms Jekyll's disastrous attempt to interfere with the order of nature (Page 763). In general, Hyde is illustrated as animalistic, ugly, and deformed mainly to conjure an evil opinion of this character. However, the physical description may be more than simply symbolic. "During the Victorian era, many believed in physiognomy," which was the belief that one could judge a criminal from his or her physical appearance. Hyde is depicted as a vampire who "feeds on the very life of his victims" (Abbey, et al. 327). ."..[Hyde was] drinking pleasure with bestial avidity from any degree of torture to another, relentless like a man of stone" (33). This vampire image suggests the way in which indulgence of evil eats away man's capacity for goodness. Lastly, Stevenson chose ideal names to suit and describe the personalities or actions of his characters. Just as Hyde hides in Jekyll, "Je kyll" hides in "Jekyll." In French, "Je" means I and "kyll" probably
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde This novel is more than just a traditional horror story as it has many hidden and complex meanings and explanations, of what seem and would have normally before this book, been simple events. Stevenson has very strong opinions and some are expressed in the book. A traditional horror story would either be a super natural
Inside the house of Mr. Hyde, there are rooms that are decorated in conflicting ways. One room was “furnished with luxury and good taste”, additionally it was decorated sophisticatedly and elegantly Stevenson 27). Even though the room was decorated elegantly, it looked as though the room was hurriedly ransacked. The dual theme of the room symbolizes the struggle between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the lower class overthrowing the upper class. Dr. Jekyll’s lab and house are connected but the two buildings have two very different appearances. Dr. Jekyll’s lab has “the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence”, which symbolizes the neglect of the lower class (Stevenson 6). However the house of Dr. Jekyll symbolizes the upper class and is the opposite of the lab.
The key ideas in chapter 1 of ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr
Gothic Literature is a style of literature popularized during the late 18th century and the early 19th century with the publication of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This style usually portrays fantastic tales dealing with the horror, despair, the grotesque and other “dark” subjects. Characteristics of gothic literature includes the presence of victims and their victimizers who usually hold immense powers along with their evil purpose. The setting of this kind of literature generally takes place within impenetrable walls, whether physical or mental. This setting creates a sense of hopeless isolation within the victim. The summarization of the characters and situation creates an atmosphere pervaded by a sense of mystery, darkness, oppressiveness, fear, and doom.