How Does Stevenson's Representation of Good and Evil in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Reflect his View of Victorian England?
How Does Stevenson's Representation of Good and Evil in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Reflect his View of Victorian England? In this piece of coursework, I am asked to first of all, discuss how the novel is mainly concerned with the struggle between good and evil. Next, I will be moving on to discovering the historical, social, and cultural issues of the novel; this will discus what Stevenson's literary influences were. Subsequently, I will be exploring the actual evil character oh Mr. Edward Hyde; this will include a character description of Hyde. Then, I will be analysing the evil incidents that Hyde commits; how Stevenson actually describes these attacks. The symbols of evil will then follow; what the door and the fog essentially represent. And finally, I will be ending with a conclusion, which will state what Stevenson's view of evil was, and how this good and evil of Jekyll and Hyde reflect his view of Victorian England. The novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is based around Mr.Utterson's, a longtime friend, and lawyer of Dr.Jekyll, and his search for the truth and the connection between Jekyll and Hyde, ending in the realization that they are actually the same person. The novel centers around the idea that there is a struggle between people's good and evil sides, it merely depends on which you nurture more. There is also this idea that one
The Strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde - letter
The Strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde - english coursework Dear James, It has been too long since we last communicated. I trust things are better with you and yours than they are with me. I have some distressing news. It is with great dismay that I tell you that our dear friends Henry Jekyll and Lanyon have died, or have been killed should I say. There is no easy way of telling you this but I desperately need someone to talk to as it has been suppressed for too long now. It is time things should be brought to the attention of whoever it may concern. I am telling you this because Jekyll kept too much secret; this eventually drove him to 'kill' himself. I dread to think what will happen to me if I keep this dark, evil event to myself like my once dear friend did. Maybe I should start from the beginning. I have been Dr. Jekyll's lawyer and friend for many years now. It was long before I was concerned about his relationship with a mysterious Mr. Hyde to whom Jekyll left a quarter of a million pounds in a Will which he placed in my own guardianship. Despite my serious uncertainties I, decided to agree to this arrangement that I would administer the Will whatever the circumstances. After all, I didn't think there was anything Jekyll wouldn't have done for me if I asked him. However, it was not long before Jekyll's manner towards our companionship changed. It soon seemed he
The story 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' summary.
The story 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' portrays man's duality to perfection. This story can be classified as Science Fiction. He scientist Dr Jekyll wants to have self-satisfaction that he can master two personalities with perfection. The Victorian Society is the backdrop of this novel and the moral code turns people into hypocrites because they lead double lives. This novella, although unapparent, is intertwined with many allegorical undertones. Stevenson uses the book to criticise Victorian society and its hypocritical existence. The most significant thematic concern of the novella is the continually revisited theme of the duality of man and the camouflaged evil that lies deep within the human race. Hyde is repressed, undeveloped and primitive, with the taste for hunting and sex. Then on the other hand is Jekyll who stresses that, "man is not truly one, but truly two." This all links to the theme of hypocrisy in Victorian society. Jekyll admits, "...and it was as a secret sinner that I at last fell before the assaults of temptation." Stevenson tries to reveal the double lives that were being lived around this era. Stevenson not only uses Jekyll and Hyde to communicate the theme of duality; he reinforces his point by compounding hidden metaphors into the text. The first time we can identify this is in the first chapter. The street presented is described as an ordinary
Explain Why Treasure Island Is So Highly Regarded.
Explain Why Treasure Island Is So Highly Regarded Treasure Island is written using a first person narrative, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages consist of being able to experience how the character narrating feels, in this case we get to learn a lot about Jim Hawkins and how he feels throughout the novel just because he is the narrator of the novel. However, when Jim decides stow away in one of the boats heading for the shore R.L. Stevenson is faced with a problem in that he cannot let the reader know what is happening on board the Hispaniola. Stevenson finds a way around this problem by swapping the narrator to Doctor Livesey. This seems to sort out the problem for a while but if the reader was reading the novel at a fast pace then he might not read the chapter headings and know that the narrator has changed and therefore get confused with what's happening in the story and where the characters are. I think that R.L. Stevenson knew that this problem would occur somewhere in the novel and anticipated it, he may have even planned it. But he still chose to use the first person narrative, although it is not always the easiest narrative to follow as "I" and "we" are used which often makes it hard to distinguish who "I" and "we" are, and who the speech is being directed at. However, I believe Stevenson chose this narrative as it makes it easier
Utterson’s character
Utterson's character is one of crucial importance in this novel. The story unfolds in the first chapter with the author giving us insight in to the role this lawyer will play. He is portrayed as being a stern and stoic man of honour and respect. The fact that he is the linking element between all of the characters in the story shows his magnitude and utter value. He knows everyone. The very fact that he is Dr Jekylls friend and lawyer emphasises his importance and allows him to be objective upon the circumstances. Stoic though he is, there is somehow a 'lovable' quality to him. This feature is seen by others, as radiating from his eyes, rather than as a result of his deeds, or conversation. However 'he had an approved tolerance for others'. Utterson appears to be envious 'at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds'. There are no extreme elements to his character; he is neither good nor bad. Although he displays a certain craving for evil, he is forced to maintain his austere Victorian reputation. Through the author's use of narration, the reader sees many of the novels events through Utterson's eyes and we can perceive his feelings. Utterson also has the role of the partial narrator in this novel sometimes, as many of the books events are often seen through his eyes. This is due to the fact that he is after all an austere and stern lawyer, who
How are Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll, Dr, Lanyon and Mr Enfield the same and why is Mr Hyde so despised by them?
Jane Bradley Wednesday 14th January How are Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll, Dr, Lanyon and Mr Enfield the same and why is Mr Hyde so despised by them? During the Victorian era class and etiquette were considered to be incredibly important and the Victorians held very specific ideas of how people of a certain class and background should behave. Victorian society had very unambiguous expectations of how the perfect gentleman should conduct themselves, a stereotype which all the main male characters fall into and one which Mr Hyde certainly does not. However, everything was not all sunshine and light in the Victorian era, there was also a shady side to their society, a side were prostitution, drugs, and drink was common place and accepted. The Victorian Upper Class always tried to ignore this part of their society, it was thought of as something which was disgusting and wrong, a lot like the way Mr Hyde was thought of. So to Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll, Dr Lanyon, and Mr Enfield Mr Hyde represents everything they hate and strive against, he is the antithesis of themselves. Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll, Dr Lanyon and Mr Enfield are all alike because they are all presented as well-educated, reputable men who come from a good background. These men are very refined characters, always polite and considerate
How Does the Author, Robert Louis Stevenson, Present Good and Evil in his Novel 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'?
How Does the Author, Robert Louis Stevenson, Present Good and Evil in his Novel 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'? The novel 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' was written in the late 19th century (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson who first began to study engineering only with the aim of following his father's footsteps. However, Stevenson who had not really wanted to study engineering, compromised with his father and decided to study law instead. Although he 'passed advocate' he did not practise law as he had already decided to become a writer. Following his dream, he chose to go to France to be in the company of some other artists, writers and painters. He later published volumes of writing which were regarded as some of his best. Immediately after Stevenson's 'inland voyage' in 1876 he met his future wife, Fanny who changed the rest of his life. He was twenty-five years of age and she was a thirty-six years old independent American 'new woman' separated from her husband with two children. Two years later, Fanny decided to obtain a divorce from her husband and Stevenson set for California in order to be with Fanny. This was where he wrote his sensational novels. The novel is set in the 19th century Victorian Era in "the nocturnal streets of London" when religion was more looked upon than science. However, the industrial revolution then increased the importance of science
Jekyll And Hyde - what view of human nature does stevenson present in jekyll and hyde?
What view of human nature does Stevenson present in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde? In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. It was a story about how a respectable, upper class man turned into a beast with no morals or dignity. It seemed that Stevenson wanted to show how good & evil could easily clash, much to Victorian society's disgust. In the novel, he used many techniques and different situations to argue with society. He tried to prove human nature, and how everyone has two sides to him or her. It was around this time that Darwin had presented his theory of evolution to the world, and it is in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde' that Stevenson presents his argument. Growing up in the Victorian era, Stevenson had a very strict, biased upbringing. He was born into a Presbyterian way of life, and was taught the values of the belief by his families nurse; this meant that he was taught to believe the bible and nothing that contradicts it. He was also taught to respect the rich, and frown upon the poor. This often came natural to Victorian society, there was either an upper class or a lower class, and nobody would dare say that these two could clash, as reputation was everything. Often people repressed their true feelings, because they wanted to protect their status in society, Stevenson didn't like this.
How successfully does 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' use the conventions of horror genre
How successfully does 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' use the conventions of horror genre? Author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the novel 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' in 1885. It is said that the idea for the novel came to Stevenson in a dream that he had, he then wrote the book within six days. Stevenson was frequently ill throughout his childhood meaning he spent a lot of time in bed reading stories this is where his extraordinary imagination came from. He was also fascinated by the story of Deacon Broody the man who was a cabinetmaker by day and a robber by night this is where he got the idea of the dual identity of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Stevenson had a strict Christian background and grew up learning the clear difference between good and evil. As a student he used to rebel against his parents by visiting the seedy old streets of Edinburgh. On some occasions he even invented a false name so that there would be no consequences a bit like the character of Edward Hyde. In the Horror genre, rules have developed which are unsettling stories designed to frighten, panic and to invoke our hidden worst fears, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time. Horror stories effectively centre on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and strange events. They deal with our most primal nature and its fears. They are usually set in spooky old mansions, castles, or fog-shrouded, dark and
How does the struggle between good an evil in humannature reveal itself in the novels Lord of the Flies by William Golding and The strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson?
How does the struggle between good an evil in human nature reveal itself in the novels Lord of the Flies by William Golding and The strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson? The novels The strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lord of the Flies by William Golding both portray a very similar message. In both novels there are characters, which represent both good and evil showing the contrasts, which occur throughout the whole storyline. Both novels can be described as an allegory as they both show different levels and meanings e.g. in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde one represents good the other evil even though they are the same person. This gives us the indication that Stevenson's message is that evil can be found inside everyone. Also Golding uses characters to bring this message across as well. Lord of the Flies is situated on an island and when the boy's plane crashes they are provided with the ideal surrounding with great resources to survive until they're rescued. The island almost acts as a parent even though they are without parental supervision. The island can be compared to the Garden of Eden as it's described as a "natural beauty". But straight away we are warned there is a "dark side" to the island. Almost suggesting something will go wrong or this is where something horrendous will take place. The