How does Stevenson explore the theme of duality in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

The theme of duality is most evident in Jekyll’s dual personality. He believes that ‘man is not truly one, but truly two’ and he, as a doctor, attempts to formulate a drug that could physically allow him to split this dual personality. As a result of his farfetched experiments he splits his personality into the malevolent character of Mr Hyde. The reasons for his experiments can be explored by looking into the time in which the novel is set. The Victorian era was a period of time where hierarchy and ‘class’ were important in society, and it was because of the strictures of religion and the conventional morality, men were forced to repress their secret desires in their public lives and indulge themselves at night in the darker seedier parts of the city. It was this repression of sexual desires that is portrayed by the character of Hyde. Using the Freudian theory of different personalities the characters can be broken down into three parts; the id- purely instinctive behaviour, the pleasure principle, the ego- learnt or conditioned responses, balancing the demands of the ‘id’ with the reality of a situation and the needs of others (this is what everyone should strive towards being), and finally the superego- the developed conscience, and the beliefs of right and wrong shaped by society and upbringing. The Victorian society is structured around everyone being the ‘superego’. Hyde displays animalistic instincts which prove him to be amoral and closely relate him to the reference of the ‘id’; where by which he leads a life based on his own pleasures irrespective of the consequences. Jekyll’s actions are those that suggest him wanting to do ‘good’ for society and that he follows the social codes which reflects the superego. The balance between the two characters would create the ideal being, the ego- which can be symbolised by Utterson’s actions in the novel. In the final chapter of the novel it reveals that Jekyll is in a loosing battle with his personality, here the monstrous character of Hyde is winning the battle. However, Jekyll feels elated when he changes to Hyde and the purely evil face of Hyde is welcomed by Jekyll as preferable to that of his divided personality. Interestingly, Jekyll changes between first person to third person when talking about Jekyll and Hyde during his confession, this shows who is in charge of his mind, and because it keeps changing it shows that he doesn’t have complete control.

Hyde clearly represents ‘the beast in man’ and is described in a number of animalistic images; ‘sneering coolness like satan’. His speech is different from other characters. He lacks their verbosity, having no time for social discussion, and when Utterson first confronts him he is described as ‘hissing’ like a cornered snake. He speaks to Utterson with a short, blunt tone to his speech, staccato sentences which are in the form of unnervingly direct questions: ‘how did you know me?’; ‘what shall it be?’; ‘whose description?’; who are they?’. Finally when he leaves this conversation which had been forced upon him, he bluntly accuses Utterson of having ‘lied’. When Utterson complains that this is not fitting language, Hyde ‘snarled aloud in a savage laugh’ before disappearing into the house. It is not surprising that the lawyer is left with ‘a picture of disquietude’ after this whirlwind encounter. Enfield’s impression of Hyde reveals further contradictions. He is ‘cool’ yet underneath ‘frightened’, and although there is nothing particularly displeasing about him physically, he provokes an intense feeling of hatred and evil within all around him. Hyde’s appearance is enigmatic, which mysteriously seems to change as he becomes the more dominant demeanour of Jekyll. There are frequent references to his devil-like qualities; Enfield describes him as ‘like Satan’. However, Stevenson hasn’t included a description of Hyde’s face; this could be a mistake or be even deliberate. If in fact it is deliberate, the purpose of doing this achieves a strong sense of mysteriousness around the facial appearance of Hyde, and as a result the reader is left to make their own image of ‘evil’ in the descriptions.

Jekyll attempts to suppress Hyde, but is soon overrun by Hyde once more, and as result commits the viscous murder of the beloved Sir Danvers Carew.  Stevenson chose Carew as the victim of Jekyll’s suppression as his character represents the opposite of Hyde’s. His kind hearted actions illustrate him being the ‘superego’, which contrasts to Hyde’s animalistic actions of the ‘id’. The murder itself takes place during the late hours of the night where a maid of Hyde’s witnesses the terrible encounter. The low mist and dimly lit street lamps contributes to the atmosphere of what becomes a harrowing scene in the novel. Elements of the dual theme of the novel are conveyed throughout this scene. At first it seems to be peaceful, but this is shattered by violence of Hyde’s actions. Stevenson’s use of concealing things, hiding certain details from the reader plays a vital role in keeping the read engaged with the novel, leaving them questioning the actions of Hyde. For instance the reader is unaware of what Carew says to provoke the malicious attack.