Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde By Robert Louis Stevenson

The novel "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson discusses the similarities and differences between good and evil and the importance of identity and morality. In Chapter 10, "Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case," Dr. Jerkyll finally recognizes the existence of Mr. Hyde, which is essential in the novel's plot. The chapter 10 passage, “I learned to recognize the thorough and primitive duality of man; I saw that, of the two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both. 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

Jekyll's quote, “thorough and primitive duality of man." This quote shows that he now recognizes his cruel side and wants to get rid of it somehow. Initially, Jekyll barely ever mentioned Mr. Hyde and acted as if he was a separate person altogether. This view is crucial as it helps introduce the two sides of the story. Keeping both sides neutral led to wanting to separate his good and evil sides. As the story progresses, Dr Jekyll is able to maintain his reputation and keep Mr Hyde in control. However, toward the end of the story, one small error leads to a bystander noticing a similarity between them. “it's a very interesting autograph.”.“Well, sir,” returned the clerk, “there's a rather singular resemblance; the two hands are in many points identical: only differently sloped.”(Stevenson 30). This quote shows that Dr. Jerkyll's struggle to remain unnoticed is getting harder to keep up with since now he has to be careful not to have even the smallest details be similar. Moreover, not only is it hard to maintain primarily his outward appearance to society, but also his inner trying to satisfy both his and Mr. Hyde's wants and needs. This struggle also competes with his moral obligations as a doctor to