"Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" - the Victorians view of the novel
Pre 1914 Prose Coursework. "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' was written in the late 19th century by an English author named R.L.Stevenson. Victorians were interested in Darwin's theory of evolution and Stevenson took advantage of this. Not all classes were educated, so Stevenson had to aim for higher-class people. Jekyll would be the same class as the readers, whereas Hyde would be unknown to such people because he was associated with the lower classes. Stevenson was influenced by Darwinism in the novella to involve Victorian Society. When "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" was released, Charles Darwin had just revealed his theory of man evolving from apes. When the Victorians read this book, Hyde was referred to as evidence of Darwin's theory by the use of phrases such as: "With ape-like fury" and "Like a monkey, jumped", which gives you an image of primate characteristics. Another thing that Stevenson referred to is the Faust legend from the fifteenth century. Dr Jekyll gives Dr Lanyon a choice, very much similar to Faust's. Faust drove himself so hard that the Devil appeared and gave him the choice, to stay normal and behold the restrictions of humanity, or he could have all the power and knowledge that he ever wanted, but at a price. At the end of twenty-four years Faust would lose his soul to the Devil. In Jekyll and Hyde, Lanyon is given the choice of wealth and
Explore the range of narrative techniques used in Jekyll and Hyde
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde "Explore the range of narrative techniques used in Jekyll and Hyde" The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novel that was written in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson. It can be understood in many different ways as it is not confined to just one genre of writing and style. Not only does the novel explore the darker side of the human nature and the duality and diversity that was present throughout the Victorian period in Britain but also the changing in beliefs at the time, for example Darwin's theory of evolution; this was hugely influential towards the changing beliefs of scientists and, likewise, the public. A reflection on this indecisiveness is shown through the need to have a good reputation, it was very important that a 'proper' gentleman such as Utterson maintained a perfect reputation in terms of social status and class otherwise people would have seen him as a lower being. Furthermore, the difference between good and evil is also explored by the novel, and how maybe everyone has two sides to them; being divided in the way that Dr Jekyll is. The reader can interpret the narrative as either a simple detective thriller, a horror story about a doctor with mixed personalities, or a gothic narrative; in this Dr Jekyll is a representative of Victorian London and the society, the rich and the poor, good and bad, and duality. The narrator of the
Chapter 4 in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is one of the novels most significant points
Chapter 4 in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is one of the novels most significant points as it makes Hyde's sheer ferociousness and brutality evident to the reader for the first time. Up to this point, the reader is only aware of the potential of Edward Hyde through the vague descriptions of him and the very brief trampling of the young girl. The reader witnesses the murder of Sir Danvers Carew by Hyde, from a maidservant's viewpoint. Due to this, it is fair to say that the reader gains a more restricted view of events through the maidservant's eyes and will acquire a limited picture of events, which will go a long way towards letting the reader build up an image of the scene for themselves. This chapter goes a long way in getting an insight into Hyde's actions and his general mindset which reaffirms David Stevens views in 'The Gothic Tradition' in which he describes the novel as a combination of 'horror with astute psychological insight'. One of the first striking points to notice about the chapter is its title which instantly hints to the reader that it will have a sinister tone to it as it will be centred on a 'murder case'. The chapter title is also quite unexpected as the previous chapter is titled 'Dr Jekyll was quite at ease' placing the reader into a sense of security which is quickly destroyed by the following chapter. The fact that the chapter is