Good Science Vs. Evil Science Allison S. Reaves History 102 Dr. Jessie Hewitt October 27, 2014 These novels illustrate to their readers the thoughts and hysteria at the time surrounding scientific research, and venturing into the unknown. Both novels center around a good person with good intentions, becoming too invested in their research and eventually turning evil. These novels tell us that the people in the late eighteenth century, and early nineteenth century were genuinely frightened by what might happen with advances in science. Their fears included: the fear of the unknown, the fear of changing everything they have ever believed in, and the fear of the creation of evil through scientific advances. In Mary Shelley’s …show more content…
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde also portrays a scientist so driven by his scientific research that he eventually turns evil. Dr. Jekyll begins experimenting with a potion that can turn him into an evil man without morals and a conscience. Because of his experimenting, he becomes withdrawn from his friends, and becomes a very mysterious man, instead of the trustworthy and reliable Dr. Jekyll. This man he becomes is known as Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde brutally assaults a young girl and murders a good-hearted man. Dr. Jekyll is upset by what he has done when he becomes this other man, but he is still drawn to become evil. “But it is more than ten years since Henry Jekyll became too fanciful for me. He began to go wrong, wrong in mind; and though of course I continue to take an interest in him for old sake’s sake, as they say, I see and I have seen devilish little of the man. Such unscientific balderdash,” added the doctor, flushing suddenly purple, “would have estranged Damon and Pythias.”3 In the above passage of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Mr. Utterson, Dr. Jekyll’s lawyer, and Dr. Lanyon are discussing Dr. Jekyll’s strange behavior. Dr. Lanyon knows of the strange scientific research that Dr. Jekyll is performing, and is relaying his concern for Dr. Jekyll’s well-being to Mr. Utterson. This passage demonstrates the idea of scientific research can change a good person into an evil …show more content…
People will pay lots of money and stand in line for hours only to be literally frightened for their lives, and I believe that this is not a new idea. The joy of paying for this thrill is that it is all fake and make-believe. One can be frightened for their life without their lives being in jeopardy. People in the 1800’s wanted to be thrilled in a safe and controlled environment just like we are today. These novels were also a form of entertainment. Back in those days, entertainment was not readily available like it is