Mr Hyde is first explored in detail by Mr. Enfield; the first impression that was given to us by Mr. Enfield about Mr. Hyde is not pleasant at all. Mr Enfield’s description almost leads us to believe that Mr. Hyde is some sort of wild animal. ‘It wasn’t like a man; it was like some damned juggernaut.’ Stevenson has used a simile to present an image of Hyde where he is not human. Hyde is presented as completely out of control, wild and violent. Stevenson has obviously been extremely influenced by the theory of Evolution which was first introduced around this time. Hyde is often described to us a non human the word ‘juggernaut’ immediately creates an image of Hyde being some kind of wild animal. Stevenson continuously refers to Mr. Hyde as an animal so he is perceived as a beastly and inhuman person. All the descriptions of Mr. Hyde seem evil and unlikeable’ if ever I read Satans signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend.’ Stevenson used this expression to refer to Mr. Hyde as evil, as though he is Satan. This also relates back to physiognomy as Mr. Hyde is being judged by his appearance. Stevenson has used the word ‘Satan’ very forcefully as it make a huge impact on the image that is give in your head. You are instantly made to think of Mr. Hyde as the devil.
Dr Jekyll who is Mr. Uttersons friend is introduced to us in the novel as very calm and at ease. This instantly makes us wonder about his strange behaviour as his friend Mr. Hyde has just committed a crime which could link Dr Jekyll as he is the only person in the town who knows who Mr. Hyde is. Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have a very strange relationship as they used to be best of friends and are still friends but not as close as they used to be. Dr Jekyll and Mr. Lanyon are also old friends but are not at the moment due to the conflict in the different sciences they both uses. Stevenson uses the character of Mr. Lanyon to show the duality between Dr Jekyll and Mr. Lanyon. In the novel by having a scientist who likes to practice unnatural science and having Mr. Hyde a beastly character we are almost made to create an image of Frankenstein. Stevenson was also influenced by the story of Frankenstein and that is one of the themes carried through the novel. Dr Jekyll is shown to be the good side if one person and Mr. Hyde are the bad. Stevenson was very interested in the duality of men and has show the conflict between the two very well.
In the novel Stevenson uses a variety of narrative techniques for different effects through the novel. In chapters 1-8 (not including ch.4) the story is told from Mr. Uttersons point of view. In these chapters Utterson almost becomes our narrator, this is effective as it is written in the third person and we are made to jump to the wrong conclusions .e.g. we are made to believe that Dr Jekyll is being forced to write his will as Mr Hyde is forcing him to leave every thing to him. Stevenson has used this technique as we are shocked when we find out the truth at the end. The story is written chronologically and is very misleading. In chapter 4 we are told the story of Carew. This chapter is quite different to the others as it is written in the style of a news paper report. Stevenson uses this so the genre almost changes to a detective style of writing. By doing this it makes the violence of Mr. Hyde really real. Stevenson also links Mr. Hyde to another killer in the Victorian period; Jack the Ripper. Hyde is described as a wild animal during the murder: ‘incredibly mangled.’ Stevenson has used the imaginary of the way the murder was left to link it to Hyde’s animal-like nature. Stevenson was obviously influenced by Jack the Ripper. Hyde is often referred to an animal-like person. The word ‘incredibly’ indicates that Hyde was completely out of control and did not care how he killed his victim. It also emphasises the word ’mangled’ it makes us imagine the state of the body. Chapters 9 and 10 are completely different to the rest of the story as they are both written in first person. Stevenson uses chapters 9 and 10 to conclude the story as they are almost a summary to the story and are trust worthy as they are written in first person. Stevenson leaves us in suspense as to who Mr. Hyde is right till the end of the novel. Stevenson’s use of flashbacks also helps us to understand the novel in full and the novel can be very misleading up to this point.
Stevenson uses a variety of figurative effects. The main figurative effect that Stevenson uses to create a theme of evil is darkness and weather. Stevenson often uses the weather to create a feel of mystery and evil and also secrecy. ‘He eyed the dingy windowless structure with curiosity.’ Stevenson again uses physiognomy to create an air of mystery and evil biased on the look of the house. The word ‘windowless’ makes us wonder why a person would have a house with no buildings by doing the it makes us jump to conclusions e.g. what is he hiding? Why is he hiding? Why would he need so much privacy? Stevenson also uses the use of buildings to give an idea of Mr. Hyde and the atmosphere of evil and darkness. ‘The door which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained.’ Stevenson’s use of description indicates that Mr. Hyde may not be such a pleasant man and may not be so social and he has no bell or knocker for him to know if there are people out side, this also indicates that he does not want anyone to come there. This also makes us wonder if Mr. Hyde is poor and dirty as though he does not care for his personal appearance. Stevenson has used these effects to create the effect of mystery and secrecy.
In conclusion we can see that Stevenson has used a variety of effects to present the conflict between good and evil very well throughout the play. Stevenson was influenced by many different things during the 19th centuary and has explored what is today the historical, social and literary content well in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is based on the story of Edinburgh's infamous Deacon Brodie, who was discovered to have been living a double life, coupled with a dream Stevenson had one night, what he called "a fine bogey tale," about a man who drinks a potion made from a white powder and subsequently transforms into a devilish creature. The novel is still applied in school all round the country as it is still as relevant as it was then. Stevenson’s novel explores the duality on men in great detail which is also still relevant today. Also in the novel Stevenson explores physiognomy which is still followed today by nearly all of us even though we do not realise it everyone judges things by the way it looks may it be people, buildings or streets.
