How good and evil is presented in Dr jeykle and mr Hyde

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English course work on Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde        

English coursework: How does Stevenson represent good and evil in the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written by a man named Robert Lois Stevenson. The novel was first published in the 19th century and is set in Victorian London. One of the main genres in the novel is gothic horror however there are other genres that feature in the novel, such as crime/detective and science fiction. The main theme of doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the duality of human nature. Duality means having two different sides. This means that something acts in two opposite ways for example good and evil. Duality can also be linked to a struggle between our good side and our evil side. This is represented in the novel by two characters Jekyll who symbolises good and Hyde who symbolises evil.  

Stevenson was brought up and lived in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Stevenson lived in had two very different sides. One side was called new town this was the respectable, conventional and deeply religious part of Edinburgh.  On the other hand there was the much less Christian side to Edinburgh which had brothels, gambling and violence. As well as there being two different sides to Edinburgh also had dual sides to his personality. Stevenson preferred the less Christian side to Edinburgh so he would leave the respectable art of Edinburgh to indulge in gambling and alcohol. Stevenson began to think about the duality in Edinburgh this then made him think of the duality of human nature. This then influenced him to write the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Stevenson had many different influences that helped him write Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Including Darwin’s theory of human evolving from apes. Stevenson was intrigued by the fact that humans may have originated from animals. However many other people in the 19th century lacked enthusiasm for Darwin’s theory? They believed that god created humans. This is because this was a very religious time. Stevenson believed that if every human evolved from apes that we all must have “animal in stinks” within us. He believed in the duality of human nature.

The novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about a man named Dr Jekyll Who is very rich and well respected in his home town. Although he is well respected there is something very sinister about him that the reader cannot work out. Dr Henry Jekyll is a scientist. Though he is well respected he wants to be able to do bad things without feeling and remorse or guilt. Therefore, he creates a chemical concoction so people are able to control the evil side within them. Then they will no longer feel the struggle between their evil side and their good side. However, something went wrong and Edward Hyde was created. Hyde is Jekyll evil side of his split personality.  

        

Stevenson uses the opening chapter to create a feeling of horror. He does this by using Enfields story of the door. The story was about an extremely unpleasant man who trampled upon a little girl. The man who was Edward Hyde did not acknowledge the girl was hurt and carried on walking. “He wasn’t like a man he was like a dammed juggernaut”. Stevenson uses a simile to describe how appalling Hyde’s behavior was. This makes the reader interested and at the same time suggests Hyde is unstoppable like a “juggernaut”. In addition by comparing Hyde to an object “Juggernaut” this suggests to the reader that Hyde has no feelings such as guilt, remorse, sympathy etc. Stevenson uses words that link to hell to describe Hyde. I know this because in the novel it says “hellish to see” and Satan”. These descriptions are very effective because it makes the reader think Hyde is pure evil. This is because the description compares Hyde to Satan. Additionally, the description also uses the word “hellish”. Which the reader automatically relates to evil. These descriptions also show fear and mystery by using imagery. This helps the reader paint a mental picture in their heads. This helps them to visualise and understand the text better.

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The reader is likely to expect violence and maybe loss of life from the rest of the novel. I know this because in the novel it says “I sawbones turn sick with the desire to kill him”. Stevenson uses descriptive language to explain the strong emotion the doctor felt. He was so disgusted by Hyde’s behavior and his actions he wanted to kill him. This is very effective as it makes the reader feel curious as to why a respectable and educated man would want to kill someone. The writer wants the reader to feel that there is something ...

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