ipl-logo

Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Research Paper

561 Words3 Pages

Jane Klodell Gonda AP English 8 March 2024 In Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the duality of human nature is depicted through various symbols such as evolution throughout identity, physical appearance, and the symbolism behind doors, both open and closed. Stevenson’s story is depicted with much symbolism embedded throughout the novel, evolution throughout identity is a key symbol of that. The physical transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde allows the reader to separate two very distinctively different lives. One man has a strong intellectual curiosity while the other remains behind closed doors more often than not. This transformation is due to a potion curated by Dr. Jekyll that allows him to physically attain to be Mr. Hyde. “With every day, …show more content…

At first, the social constraints of the world are lifted from Jeckyll, or so it seems. When Hyde’s influence grows stronger, Jeckyll has less control over his darkest thoughts and even darker impulses. Therefore, this evolution of a symbol creates a bridge to moral wrongdoings and serves as a poetic warning of unchecked desires. Jekyll’s anger and pure unhappiness is depicted through other perspectives, such as the maid said, “but he never answered a word, and seemed to listen with an ill-contained impatience. And then all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on (as the maid described it) like a madman” (Stevenson). The empathic relationship between the symbol of transformation and the characters in the story serves as a deeper understanding of human complexity. For example, when Dr. Jekyll first encounters his own brutal murder of Sir Danver’s Carew, the reader is instantly reminded of how destructive potential can fall victim to the deeper, darker, and more dangerous aspects of others. Oddly enough, doors are a key element of symbolic meaning throughout the

Show More
Related
589 Words | 3 Pages

Dr. Jeckyll chose by himself to create the more “wicked” and “disordered” version of him. This version of himself longs to be free of the facade he puts on when he is seen as the organized and friendly doctor, this covers up ultimately contributes to his overwhelming need for a less obligated life. By extending the exposure of the real reasoning behind Hydes behavior Stevenson is able to create a horrific feeling inside the character's

Read More
685 Words | 3 Pages

“The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” is a Victorian Gothic novel that was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in the late 19th century. The contrast between the mild-mannered Jekyll and the barbaric Hyde allows Stevenson to portray Hyde as a frightening outsider whilst establishing the recurring themes of corruption and horror which are explored through the ideas of vulnerability and blackmail. Throughout the novel Hyde is predominantly presented as animalistic. Highly descriptive vocabulary such as ‘snarled’, ‘hissing’ and ‘troglodytic’ establishes a predatorial tone due to its connotations of danger and fright, suggesting serpent like behaviour.

Read More
695 Words | 3 Pages

As he witnesses the increasingly violent and criminal actions of Mr. Hyde, Jekyll starts to feel guilty and ashamed of what he has become. This leads to a period of self-reflection, as Jekyll tries to understand the motivations behind his actions and regain control over his dual nature. Through this process, Jekyll develops a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him, and he becomes more self-aware and introspective as a result. In the end, despite the tragedy that unfolds, Jekyll's growth and development as a character are evident, and he is left with a deeper understanding of the human condition and the complexities of good and

Read More
2215 Words | 9 Pages

From a psychological lens, the struggles Dr. Jekyll faces with controlling his alter-ego, Mr. Hyde, is one similar to an addictive nature. Unable to maintain his true self anymore, “I was seized again with those indescribable sensations that heralded the change. I was once again raging and freezing with the passions of Hyde,” (Stevenson 72). Dr. Jekyll’s description of being “seized” by the sensations, broaches the loss of control he experiences, as most addicts feel. The development of Dr. Jekyll’s character expresses parallels to that of modern day and Victorian era addicts.

Read More
1316 Words | 6 Pages

In this chapter, Dr. Jekyll experiments with a potion he has created, hoping to separate his good and evil sides. However, the experiment goes awry, and he transforms into Mr. Hyde, a sinister and immoral persona. Hyde goes on a rampage, committing a series of heinous acts. Meanwhile, Utterson, a close friend of Jekyll, becomes increasingly suspicious of Hyde's actions and tries to uncover the truth behind his connection to Jekyll. This chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book as the mystery deepens and

Read More
151 Words | 1 Pages

Overall, Stevenson’s presentation of the duality of man is conveyed by the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde because towards the end of the novel. Jekyll begins to realise that the schism which once caused them to despise one another, help them understand each other situation. Jekyll even begins to ‘pity’ Hyde toward the end of novel, praising his ‘love for life’ by calling it ‘wonderful’, as his creator he consequently acknowledges the condescending attitudes towards Hyde, unfairly for his appearance, however rightfully so for his actions. Moreover, like Darwin’s theory, Hyde could never be accepted into society, often being characterised as a ‘brute’. Additionally, Jekyll’s actions would be condemned by the Victorian readers, as he was

Read More
2010 Words | 9 Pages

Through Hyde, the well bred Dr. Jekyll is let loose from the self discipline saddled with someone by society 'my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring' (ch. 10). In his guilty plea at the conclusion of the book, Jekyll perceives that, when all is said and done, he will have to choose between being Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. To become the last mentioned would mean giving up on noble expectations and being 'forever despised and friendless'. (ch. 10) To become Jekyll, in spite of that, means giving up the physical and down at the heel appetites he can give way to as Hyde.

Read More
1147 Words | 5 Pages

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson consistently portrays Mr. Hyde as the villainous figure of the novel. The immoral actions of Mr. Hyde lead to him developing a reputation as a dangerous societal presence. It is apparent that his puzzling demeanor invokes fear inside of his acquaintances in the statement, “he answered never a word, and seemed to listen with an ill-contained impatience. And then all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on (as the maid described it) like a madman. The old gentleman took a step back, with the air of one very much surprised and a trifle hurt; and at that Mr. Hyde broke out of all bounds, and clubbed him to the earth.

Read More
592 Words | 3 Pages

As Stevenson was fascinated by Darwin theory of evolution he decided to portray it in his work. Due to the fact that in Victorian times the idea of rationalism was popular and that people weren’t supposed to show their strong emotions their darker sides were repressed and The locked doors and curtained windows of Jekyll’s house form the imagery of a man locking away the truth that lurks inside; Jekyll turning into Hyde is a metaphor of what happens when the unconscious mind is revealed; the murder of Carew symbolizes the repressed mind striking out at the conscious mind. The whole narrative is about unpeeling the layers that hide the repressed desires inside Jekyll Stevenson also uses several narrative points of view to intensify the feeling of a frightening outsider. As Hyde is often narrated in a mysterious way through different characters perspectives which slowly reveals horror a feature used in gothics.

Read More
1545 Words | 7 Pages

In the gothic novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, Robert Louis Stevenson depicts an idea of the supernatural realm. It is a tale of a man that is well-known among the townspeople as Dr. Henry Jekyll. The doctor transforms into a being completely opposite of himself. Being a man of science, he feels a compulsion to create a potion that will release his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, while protecting his true identity. Throughout the story, many examples of symbolism are presented to the reader.

Read More
2943 Words | 12 Pages

He is othered by his “deformity” (9) which separates him from the civilised and educated sphere that Jekyll inhabits. Consequently, Hyde is subjected to descriptors that dehumanise him: Hyde is “hardly human” (16), screeches like an “animal” (41), and possesses an “ape-like fury” (20) and “apelike spite” (66). By comparing Hyde to animals and uncontrolled emotions, he is restricted to his depiction as a primitive being that awakens an “unknown disgust, loathing and fear” (16). Hyde cannot escape this depiction, since when he dresses “plainly” (14), he is not seen as a gentleman. However, when Hyde dresses in “rich and sober fabric” (48), the ill-fitting garments are used to demonstrate that he does not

Read More
967 Words | 4 Pages

With this it shows that because he hid away his darker tendencies it has become “tenfold more wicked” which is why even though Jekyll is a good man he sides with the persona of Hyde. When Jekyll is explaining his interactions with other people he believes that people find Hyde completely detestable because they “are com-mingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.”. Which the author shows the theme of good and evil and exemplifies how much of an evil man Hyde is because of Jekyll's faults for being prideful. With this, we cover what goes on in the mind of a man who delves into evil

Read More
1002 Words | 5 Pages

Jekyll and Hyde TCEA In the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the predominant archetypal theme is “good and evil exist in all humans, and we live our lives struggling with these two forces.” This theme describes the duality of good and evil in Dr. Jekyll—the good being Jekyll and bad being Hyde— and the struggle he has with both sides fighting for dominance within himself. The emotional mindset and the physical attributes of Jekyll and Hyde show the good and evil within themselves.

Read More
460 Words | 2 Pages

The “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” paints a picture of how many battles daily to fight the good and evil within. Stevenson furthermore illustrates the rational and the irrational mindset by contrasting reality with the supernatural. This is one of Stevenson’s finest literary

Read More
1492 Words | 6 Pages

Stevenson also warns readers of the all-consuming nature of evil. This is indisputably epitomised in the character os Dr. Jekyll as he succumbs to his “other self”, Hyde, and is unable to escape from the insidious nature of Hyde. Only death was able to relieve Dr. Jekyll of his immoral and “wicked” side (Stevenson 1689). Therefore, the text could be viewed as a 19th century social novel that allegorises the evils and immoral vices of

Read More

More about Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Research Paper

Open Document