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

Being closeted is a metaphor for LGBTQ+ youth which means they choose not to reveal their homosexual identities. It may not be safe for them to come out. Even in modern times, it is much more accepted depending on your circumstances. In the Victorian era, being homosexual was against the law and was looked down upon in English society. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was one of the best-selling books in Victorian England behind only the Christian bible. A dark and gothic tale about secrets and identity, scholars have read the novella through a variety of lenses. But the most compelling lens is to view the novel as a commentary on the dangerous life of homosexuality - where Jekyll is the closeted version of men in proper society.

In the 1890s, being a homosexual man was punishable by death. As time went on, it became a crime and you would receive jail time instead. In Victorian society, it was so important to uphold your standing and look in society so people had to be gay secretly and there were underground ways for people to meet. For Dr.Jekyll, he is a closeted man who has to hide his true identity. He struggles to fight with these urges and that results in him having to use the alter ego of Hyde. On page 75, Stevenson even writes “ I [Jekyll] found it hard to reconcile with my imperious desire to carry my head high, and wear a more than commonly grave countenance before the public.” (75). He had always been this way and even as a kid, he had to hide his desires. Jekyll also says” It was the curse of mankind that these incongruous faggots were thus bound together that in the agonised womb of consciousness,..”(Stevenson,75). The word “faggot”, a slur commonly used against the queer community,can be interpreted as Jekyll and Hyde are more similar than we think in terms of homosexuality. and He knows his place in society and wants to stay there. It conflicts so

Whenever Hyde is described, he is described as a horrid monster. When queer people are described, especially transgender people, they are referred to as natural, disgusting, monsters. He is also described with somewhat feminine taste, which is a stereotype of homosexual men. Page 30 says “Mr. Hyde had only used a couple of rooms; but these were furnished with luxury and good taste”. (Stevenson,30). Similarly to Jekyll, where he lives says something about his character as well. Since he is considered lower class, it is easier for him to be himself. There is less social structure and pressure than it would be as Jekyll. Hyde’s kills are a reflection of his direct feelings. His first (nearly) kill as Hyde, is a girl. He doesn’t acknowledge her existence when he runs her over. Stevenson writes “…for the man trampled calmly over the, child’s body and left her screaming on the ground.”(6). She is a representation of his disinterested nature towards women. Hyde is not only disinterested, but he completely ignores the girl entirely, treating her more as an obstacle than a human being. When he kills Carew, it may have been a way for him to take out his frustration of being homosexual out on someone who may mirror that for him. Carew is described by a maid saying “an aged and beautiful gentleman”(Stevenson,26). Being described as beautiful, he may have feminine esc features and because he approved