How does Stevenson present good and evil in "Jekyll and Hyde"? The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a tale of contrast between good and evil. Robert

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BEN GOURLAY 10X2

Pre-1914 Prose Coursework

How does Stevenson present good and evil in “Jekyll and Hyde”?

The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a tale of contrast between good and evil. Robert Louis Stevensons novel demonstrates the relations of good and evil to man kind and what adverse effects we have on the balance of good an evil also he shows us how evil only entered the world when mankind began. Furthermore “Jekyll and Hyde” is full of dual personality which in itself creates god and evil. Also it suggests that good cannot exist without evil.

Firstly many of the rich and respected went out at night to experience how the other half lived. Here among the dim lit alleyways of the East End and under the protection of darkness did the upper class come out to play. The activities in which they partook in were illicit and if they were caught their and their captor’s reputation would collapse. The activities they indulged themselves were such things as gambling, prostitution, brawling, heavy drinking and cocaine taking. They wanted to break away from the restraining shackles of society and enjoy the thrill of that if they were caught they would have to forfeit their livelihood. It was therefore maybe not the case of partaking in the activities then, but the thrill of being away from the tight morals that persuaded them to do it. It is therefore no surprise that Enfield also led a secretive concealed life at night. ‘Coming home from some place at the end of the world, about three o’clock of a black winter morning’.

         ‘Some place at the end’ suggests that Enfield is letting on too Mr Utterson that he was taking part in the extreme pleasures the city had to offer. However he was not going to openly admit as the effect on his reputation would be damming and the respect of Utterson would be lost as this secret life was a secret that could not be disgusted even to fellow aristocrats. ‘Extreme’ being that it is commented on as being the end of the world. Furthermore ‘black winter morning’ is using pathetic facility to show us that Mr Hyde is about as the author portrays the weather to be Mr Hydes appearance.

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        Even though these illicit wanderings may be considered to some as being evil, the person who is partaking in the activities should be may be considered as good as he is not lying but also saving disgrace and disrespect from all other lawyers. The secret, shaded society knew full well that if they were discovered their well respected position and occupation would collapse from underneath them. This was even more so for lawyer as they earned a living from devils advocate therefore due to the strong religious beliefs in the 1870s people already hated lawyers as they do today due ...

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