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Research Paper On Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

1327 Words6 Pages

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Human Psyche Through the use of a psychoanalytic lens, Robert Louis Stevenson's novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the depths of the human psyche, delving into the dual nature of mankind and the psychological forces at play in the transformation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Thus, the unconscious mind and repression, the duality of human nature, the shadow and unconscious desires, and the pleasure principle and ego sheds light on the psychological forces that play into the characteristics of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Firstly, Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic lens emphasizes the importance of the unconscious mind and its influence on human behavior. …show more content…

In fact, Jekyll states “"I had learned to dwell with pleasure as a beloved daydream on the thought of the separation of these elements. If each, I told myself, could be housed in separate identities, life would be relieved of all that was unbearable." (Stevenson, 76). Therefore, the experiments of Dr. Jekyll can be viewed as an attempt to satisfy all needs of the id, without risking the superego’s priorities, even if it means living a split persona. In the final chapter, Jekyll reveals the initial emotions he encountered as Hyde: "I knew myself, at the first breath of this new life, to be more wicked, tenfold more wicked, sold a slave to my original evil; and the thought, in that moment, braced and delighted me like wine," (Stevenson, 57). Therefore, at first Dr. Jekyll found excitement in the expression of his previously repressed self. Despite acknowledging how wicked this side of him was, he chose to embrace it and find delight in it, completely disregarding the possibility of consequence. As a result, power begins to slip through the hands of Jekyll’s ego, granting his id, Mr. Hyde, dominion over the pair. This can be seen through the literary element of symbolism in chapter nine, when Lanyon discovers Jekyll’s journal. The journal featured various dates of Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde; however, they ended abruptly, signifying Jekyll’s loss of control. Furthermore, the murder of Carew further exemplifies Jekyll’s struggle as his id seeks pleasure and gratification without regard for morals or ethics. Therefore, this persistent conflict displays the fragility of balance between one’s societal expectations and impulsive desires, emphasizing the delicacy of the human psyche and the imposing threat of the id overpowering the

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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

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Examples Of Archetypes In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

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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.

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“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a book that intrigues one’s mind, because it makes us question ourselves about the balance between the two opposing forces. The story starts out with Mr. Utterson, a lawyer and a great friend of Dr. Jekyll, hearing about Hyde for the first time, who is very shady and somewhat misconfigured. Mr. Utterson hears about Hyde’s bad reputation, and his usage of Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory; therefore, Mr. Utterson suspects some kind of relationship between Hyde and Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Utterson’s friend Lanyon, who is a doctor, dies after Dr. Jekyll goes into seclusion; Mr. Utterson goes to Dr. Jekyll’s house to seek the truth behind Lanyon’s death, but he instead sees Hyde dead. Mr. Utterson

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