Comparison Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde By Robert Louis Stevenson

Throughout the history of human civilization, the rocky planes of the moon have been reached, the depths of the sea have been explored, and the tallest mountains have been climbed. Despite these incredible feats, the raw complexities of human nature have yet to be fully understood. Though few have found success in portraying man in the rawest form, Robert Louis Stevenson, in his short story titled Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, accomplished just this. Written during the Victorian era, the reader follows Mr. Utterson as he sets out on a journey, where he uncovers horrific details on his good friend, Dr. Jekyll. A renowned and respected scientist in his field, Dr. Jekyll unleashes his evil persona, embodied by Mr. Hyde, in one of his wild experiments. Mistakenly, it was the

Utterson, to confront this stranger, the two set out on a "wild, cold, seasonable night of March, with a pale moon, lying on her back as though the wind had tilted her" (Stevenson). Instead of the typical fog plaguing the streets, the moon, though weak, is shining down. This contrast indicates that Mr. Hyde is no longer suppressed by the scientist, as he has gained control, and the personalities of Dr. Jekyll are finally reunited once again. The dawning of the light is emphasized to shine a spotlight on this union. Further, this symbolizes the final stage of a relationship, where both parties see each other for all of their qualities, even those that are flawed. Once the two approached the house, "the scud had banked over the moon, and it was now quite dark" (Stevenson). The union of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde does not last, as the foreshadowing of the snuffed light of the moon reveals that the character will soon be no longer. Panicked by the thought of others seeing him in his final form, evil and good together, Dr. Jekyll takes his own life. This concluding act demonstrates the vulnerability that comes with showing one's entire personality, not just the pleasing