Rimsha Arif 11SM
Jeddah Prep and Grammar School (SA108)
IGCSE English Coursework (Literature)
Assessment 2: Prose
To What Extent Is Stevenson's Novel Critical of Science and Scientists?
During the 19th Century, science had experienced great expansion. The theory of evolution had been discovered and published to the public, proving the idea of human evolution from apes. There was the discovery of new elements in science, therefore allowing chemical reactions. A profession as scientists had become acceptable in society and was a well-paid job. In society, there was a vast struggle taking place in the minds and lives of the Victorians between the new and exciting advance of science. However, scientific discoveries had its limits and traditional methods were usually practiced. Dr. Jekyll in Stevenson's novel explores new scientific territory and pushes forward the frontiers of knowledge, therefore tampering with things he does not fully understand, resulting to heavy consequences. Stevenson agreed to an extent the way scientists were in the 19th century. His criticism was directed against scientists who did not know how to control the discoveries they make. Stevenson believes that scientists have a difficult responsibility to make sure their discoveries do not affect the natural ways of this world.
In Stevenson’s novel, his criticism is partly addressed to the theory of evolution. This is shown in the details of Hyde’s transformation and the comparisons between Jekyll and Hyde. Hyde represents the primitive man that human evolves from, while Jekyll represents the civilized human. Hyde had been created by science, therefore linking the work of changing a human being with science as evil. Hyde is described mainly with animal imagery, again linking him to Darwin’s theory of evolution. For example, when Hyde had murdered Carew, he was doing it with an "ape-like fury” and acted as a madman. Another example is when Mr. Utterson first encounters Hyde and taps him on the shoulder, “Mr. Hyde shrank back with a hissing intake of the breath.” This shows Hyde’s resemblance to a snake. When Mr. Hyde leaves Utterson and enters his house, he “snarled aloud into a savage laugh.” This again links to animal like imagery. In the novel, science becomes a cover and reason for supernatural activities. There are many references to science in the language of the novel. For example, Dr. Jekyll apparently derives his potion in some sort of scientific manner, “I compounded the elements, watch them boil and smoke together in the glass, and when the ebullition had subsided, with a strong glow of courage, drank off the potion.”, as opposed to finding a magical amulet or something that releases evil as you might find in other stories. There is also the usage of scientific terms such as ‘elements’, ‘drugs’, ‘compounded’, etc.
