Examples Of Archetypes In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

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In the current day society, listening to the daily news influences the average person to ponder upon the society as a haven or an epitome of human vice. Throughout time, humans have developed the universal question of whether man is ethically moral or sinful. Many factors lead to the psychological development of one’s self; in fact, some believe the cause of corruption smears an effect of darkness and taints the way one thinks. After years of studying the famous Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind, psychologists classify humans into three categories: the id, ego, and superego. While the id archetype defines as the dark personality structure that thrives in desolation and sorrow, the superego archetype aims for …show more content…

With the division of the id and the superego, Robert Louis Stevenson combines these archetypes in the Victorian-scientific fiction novel, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Throughout the novel, Stevenson displays these archetypes through the personas of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde. In the storyline, Dr. Jekyll concocts a potion that subjects his persona to transform into Mr. Hyde, a grotesque, demonic creature that becomes the city of London’s perpetrator. This personality of the id overthrows the value of the superego that Dr. Jekyll truly is. Robert Louis Stevenson uses dualism in human nature to convey the characterization of both opposing and coinciding characters throughout Dr. Jekyll and Mr. …show more content…

Hyde values wicked and deceitful behavior. By exploring the darkness of Mr. Hyde, his antagonistic disposition imposes a characteristic of the id. First, Mr. Hyde has the personality that includes unaccountable changes in decisions, a mysterious energy, and growth in negative power. His conscience subjects to negativity and sin (Eckley 4324). This proves that Stevenson presents the id personality through personification. The id personality represents the darkness inside of the human being, and Mr. Hyde is the personified impression of that. Comparatively, his visual appearance leaves the other characters to conclude a disturbing essence. While Mr. Enfield explains to Mr. Utterson that Mr. Hyde had “trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming on the ground”, he explains that Mr. Hyde glanced his way, and provoked his perspiration and fear of this “damned Juggernaut” (Stevenson 40). Lacking a single ounce of regret or penitence, Mr. Hyde is a demonic character that contradicts the normal human being. His immorality that follows the occurrence of the little girl characterizes the id personality through corruption and violence. Furthermore, Mr. Hyde’s profound atrocities investigate the actions that are perceived in his demise. For example, Dr. Jekyll attempts to repress the opposing personality of Mr. Hyde through drastic measures. Through his compunction, he explores self-annihilation, the most extreme form of repression that allows