Assignment Title
Show how Stevenson, through the themes, language and setting, has created a world of double standards and hypocrisy in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
In this essay I will show how Stevenson, through the themes, language and setting has created a world of double standards and hypocrisy in The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I will discuss the parable the struggle between good and evil, the divided nature of man and appearance in relation to reality.
At the beginning of the book, Utterson and Enfield take one of their frequent rambles through a charming yet quiet street in a busy quarter of London. "The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood, like a fire in a forest; and with its freshly painted shutters, well polished brasses, and gaiety of note, instantly caught and pleased the eye of the passengers." However at the end of the street stands a "certain sinister" looking building. So begins the world of double standards that Stevenson has created in this book. At one end we have a respectable, clean and charming street, which even lives up to the standards of two very respected middle-class gentlemen, but at the other end there is a sinister building thrust forward its gable on the street. This theme of outward appearances is continued in the book but is mostly apparent in the characters, for example, Utterson, a respected Lawyer, trusted by many and popular among friends is also described as a man of "rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile." He drinks gin when he is alone to mortify the taste of vintages, and although he is fond of the theatre, has not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. This does not sound like the character of someone who has nothing to fear or hide. This theory of another side to Utterson is also backed up in Chapter three, where he reveals that he has dark secrets.
Show how Stevenson, through the themes, language and setting, has created a world of double standards and hypocrisy in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
In this essay I will show how Stevenson, through the themes, language and setting has created a world of double standards and hypocrisy in The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I will discuss the parable the struggle between good and evil, the divided nature of man and appearance in relation to reality.
At the beginning of the book, Utterson and Enfield take one of their frequent rambles through a charming yet quiet street in a busy quarter of London. "The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood, like a fire in a forest; and with its freshly painted shutters, well polished brasses, and gaiety of note, instantly caught and pleased the eye of the passengers." However at the end of the street stands a "certain sinister" looking building. So begins the world of double standards that Stevenson has created in this book. At one end we have a respectable, clean and charming street, which even lives up to the standards of two very respected middle-class gentlemen, but at the other end there is a sinister building thrust forward its gable on the street. This theme of outward appearances is continued in the book but is mostly apparent in the characters, for example, Utterson, a respected Lawyer, trusted by many and popular among friends is also described as a man of "rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile." He drinks gin when he is alone to mortify the taste of vintages, and although he is fond of the theatre, has not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. This does not sound like the character of someone who has nothing to fear or hide. This theory of another side to Utterson is also backed up in Chapter three, where he reveals that he has dark secrets.