How Does Stevenson's use of setting in "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" reveal the themes in the novella?

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Jack Prickett

How Does Stevenson's use of setting in "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" reveal the themes in the novella?

"The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886 in Bournemouth, but set in Victorian London. This story is about how a London lawyer, Mr Utterson peruses the last will of his old friend Henry Jekyll that his suspicions are aroused, is Dr Jekyll the evil Edward Hyde? Stevenson's ideas originated in a dream he once had. Upon waking he recalled 'a fine bogy tale' and began to write about it. The focus on the split personality and underlying suggestion that evil is potentially more powerful than good ensure its continued popularity over a hundred years on.

There were many influences acting upon Stevenson when he wrote this novel, there was a divide in society which was created by the Industrial Revolution, the divide between the classes was great, and caused a big gap in wealth between the rich and the poor. Stevenson was also influenced by religion, stories by Alison Cunningham meant nightmares of hell stayed with him. He also decided that the