Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

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 How does Stevenson explore the duality of human nature in

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

I am writing this coursework to show how Stevenson explores the duality of human nature in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Victorian life had 2 side, those who were rich and wealthy and those who were poor and less affluent. This era was a very suspicious time, with dark alleys and odd people with odd houses. This leads on to the same structure as Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in these 2 quotes. (Page 4) “Tramps slouched into the recess and struck matches on the panels; children kept upon the steps; the schoolboy had tried his knife on the mouldings”. (Page 4) “The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood, like a fire in a forest; and with its freshly painted shutters, well-polished brasses, and general cleanliness and gaiety of note, instantly caught and pleased the eye of the passenger”. The first quote shows the rough poverty sides of London which describe how tough people’s life was impoverished and how people were badly influenced into this life they have been lead to. The second quote shows more of an extravagant area with wealth, money and fame. The quote characterizes how the richer people advertise their belongings by the glimmer shining out on the streets.

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Stevenson was born in Edinburgh on November 13th 1950. His father, Thomas Stevenson, and his mother Margaret Isabella Balfour a leading lighthouse engineer. There is a quote that Stevenson set (Page 16) “Round the corner from the by-street there was a square of ancient, handsome houses, now for the most part decayed from their high estate and let in flats and chambers to all sorts and conditions of the men: map engravers, architects, shady lawyers, and the agents of obscure enterprises.” In this quote Stevenson is showing how Edinburgh was when he was still living there and added it ...

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