The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Essay

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Marxist Theory)

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy access to a higher social status, a privilege that many would kill for. But what if that privilege came at a cost, a cost of losing touch with your humanity and your true self?
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novella that tells the story of Henry Jekyll, a respected doctor who one day creates a potion that transforms him into a wicked and violent monster known as Hyde. As Hyde is sometimes free since Jekyll is unable to properly repress him, he causes many dangerous events within a depressed London Victorian society. A Marxist lens in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" highlights the novel's themes of class struggle,

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jekyll’s depiction as a gentleman comments on the contrasting characteristics of the superior upper class with the low class by reflecting on the lifestyle he had and the experiences that he went through during the Victorian era. In the capitalist system of Victorian London, Stevenson's commentary on Jekyll's character highlights the flaws and shortcomings of a society that values wealth and status above morality and compassion. Jekyll's tragic story serves as a warning about the dangers of attempting to maintain power and status at any cost, which eventually leads to one's own demise. In 19th-century London, gentlemen held a highly ranked position in Victorian society. Their reputation was built on their ability to maintain order and stability while also pursuing professional careers that allowed them to accumulate wealth. Alexandra Galakof, the author of " “The Figure of the Gentleman in 19th century Victorian England : The re-Fashioning of a Manhood Ideal” reinforces the high standing of gentlemen when she describes “a man of gentle disposition (« gentil »), as early as Chaucer’s time, meant “charming”, « mild » and « tender », as well as “worthy”, « noble », and « well-bred ». These qualities embodied a chivalric ideal, whereby men of high rank justified their superiority by their gracious and courteous bearing.” Some of them were born into this status due to their families' influence, while others had to work their way up

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde underlines how various social classes in Victorian society held unequal amounts of political and economic power. Stevenson uses the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the Victorian London setting to examine how the capitalist system of production during the industrial era resulted in the classification of people into different ranks based more on probability factors like family background and educational access than on personal qualities like discipline, wisdom, and expertise. Stevenson exposes the brutal realities of Victorian England's hierarchical system and its effects on people's lives by studying the lives of these characters and the society they live in. The text's fundamental point is that Mr. Hyde stands to represent the oppressed proletarian class in Victorian society, while Dr. Jekyll represents the privileged upper class. The author describes how Mr. Hyde's behavior and outward appearance convey a sense of desperation and aggression that is representative of the grievances felt by members of the lower class, who frequently feel frustrated with their social standing and may take harsh action to accomplish what they want. Stevenson also examines how the bourgeoisie exploits the weak in a torn-apart Victorian London rather than aiding them to build a healthier and more unified society. As a result, it is critical to consider the role of money and social status in our lives, as well