ipl-logo

Jekyll And Mr Hyde Allegory

1742 Words7 Pages

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Robert L. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1850 on the 13th day of November. Stevenson was born with an illness that is still open to question but people suspect it could have been hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia also known as Osler-Rendu-Weber Syndrome. In his childhood he was prone to being ill. Since he was in the bed most of the time he only had his imagination and reading to entertain him. He particularly loved to read William Shakespeare.
Because Lighthouse design was the family’s profession, he enrolled at Edinburgh University in 1867 at age 17. He studied engineering with a goal of following in his father’s footsteps in the lighthouse business. He soon realized …show more content…

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ is clearly an allegory. The people depicted could not be real. There are many interpretations of the meaning. A Church of Scotland minister saw it as a parable on the wages of sin. Graham Balfour, who wrote Stevenson’s first biography (1901), tells us that it was also "made the subject of leading articles in religious newspapers". It is interesting that his book was received in that way because Stevenson had issues with his father because of religion. He probably would not have approved of the book being viewed as a lesson in good behavior. Others thought it was a moral story about sexual …show more content…

"Gothic Elements in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'" Gothic Elements in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' NvrtOxford, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://writersinspire.org/content/gothic-elements-strange-case-dr-jekyll-mr-hyde>.
Campbell, James. "The Beast within." The Beast within. The Gaurdian, 12 Dec. 2008. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/dec/13/dr-jekyll-mr-hyde-stevenson>.
Cenicola, Laura, and Mareike Aumann. "British History 2:From the French Revolution to World War IITopic: "Majesties and Royal Highnesses"" 1) Introduction into Victorian Morality. British History 2, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.laura-cenicola.de/brithist2/brithist/8-1-introduction-into-victorian-morality-what-exactly-was-the-victorian-era.html>.
Chauan, Yamini. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568032/Dr-Jekyll-and-Mr-Hyde
."Poet Robert Louis Stevenson." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/robert-louis-stevenson>.
Robert Louis Stevenson Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

Show More
Related

  • Dr Jekyll And Hyde Good Vs Evil Essay

    897 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jekyll and Hyde Good vs evil Stevenson presents the idea of duality through the differences between Dr Jekyll and mr Hyde. Throughout the novella, there is a repeated antithesis as the good of Jekyll is compared to the “detestabillity” of Hyde. Jekyll has a highly respectable front and is known for a having a good reputation, however Hyde is infamous he known for being evil and is strongly disliked by all he meets. Hyde is described as “like Satan” and “devilish” empathising his pure evil and his dangerous and deplourable nature. Whereas Jekyll is often described as a respected man and is “well built”.

    Read More

  • Penny Dreadfuls

    1891 Words  | 8 Pages

    The dreadful origins of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde is a novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson published in 1886. In the 1880s, one of the leading forms of literature in Britain was called the “Penny Dreadful”. The term “Penny Dreadful” is used to describe a form of cheap serial literature that was targeted toward the masses: these texts often had thrilling plots filled with crime as well as dark undertones. As a result of the popularity of penny dreadfuls at the time, it is no surprise that Stevenson’s novella was heavily influenced by this form of literature. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde’s vivid descriptions of London life.

    Read More

  • Jekyll And Mr Hyde Identity Analysis

    1545 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the gothic novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, Robert Louis Stevenson depicts an idea of the supernatural realm. It is a tale of a man that is well-known among the townspeople as Dr. Henry Jekyll. The doctor transforms into a being completely opposite of himself. Being a man of science, he feels a compulsion to create a potion that will release his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, while protecting his true identity. Throughout the story, many examples of symbolism are presented to the reader.

    Read More

  • Jekyll And Mr Hyde Human Nature Essay

    813 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the complexity of human nature. He uses characters and events in the novel to present his stance on the major theme: “man is not truly one, but truly two” (125). Branching from this major theme are many more specific views on the idea that human nature is divided into good and evil. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two very different people who occupy the same body. Human beings struggle with good and evil and Stevenson goes to the extreme to to show this relationship.

    Read More

  • How Is Imagery Used In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    466 Words  | 2 Pages

    The novella ‘Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde’ was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in the Victorian era. The book was first published in 1886, after he had a nightmare. It took him three days to write the story originally, and then three days to revise it. In the novela Stevenson explains to the reader that humans have lots of different sides to each other and not just one. He also explains how duplicitous human nature is.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    592 Words  | 3 Pages

    As Stevenson was fascinated by Darwin theory of evolution he decided to portray it in his work. Due to the fact that in Victorian times the idea of rationalism was popular and that people weren’t supposed to show their strong emotions their darker sides were repressed and The locked doors and curtained windows of Jekyll’s house form the imagery of a man locking away the truth that lurks inside; Jekyll turning into Hyde is a metaphor of what happens when the unconscious mind is revealed; the murder of Carew symbolizes the repressed mind striking out at the conscious mind. The whole narrative is about unpeeling the layers that hide the repressed desires inside Jekyll Stevenson also uses several narrative points of view to intensify the feeling of a frightening outsider. As Hyde is often narrated in a mysterious way through different characters perspectives which slowly reveals horror a feature used in gothics.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Deception In Dr. Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    1321 Words  | 6 Pages

    Deception in ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ ‘The strange case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ is a novella by the scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. Stevenson, born November 13, 1850, is also the author of the well known book; ‘Treasure Island’. Robert L. Stevenson, who died December 3, 1894,, was said to be influenced by authors such as Charles Dickens and Edgar Allen Poe. This book is part of the gothic genre, a genre of literature that combines fiction, and horror, death and at times romance. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or simply Jekyll and Hyde is about a London lawyer named Mr, Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend Dr. Jekyll and the evil Mr. Hyde.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Repression In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    525 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” because the story takes place in Victorian England we see that the characters have no room for expression of emotions or violence. Everything they do is secret, so the more Dr Jekyll is repressed, the more he wants to be Mr Hyde. The original characteristics of Henry Jekyll are reflected as “...life of effort, virtue, and control” (pg. 172) because, most of his life his vice activities were maintained a secret. According to Jekyll, when evil is separated into one body, one will not know right from wrong because there is no conscious in a being of complete evil which was Hyde for

    Read More

  • Conflict Between Good And Evil In Dr. Jekyll And Hyde

    1037 Words  | 5 Pages

    The novella Jekyll and Hyde tells the tragic story of a battle between good and evil, a battle for total control over the mind and soul. The clash between the pure and impure sides of man: a fight to the finish. It explores the aspect of a person’s good and bad side; holy and unholy, the one who bathes himself in God’s light and the one whom plays with The Devil’s fire. The battle between the good-willed Dr. Jekyll, and his evil persona: the murderous Mr. Hyde. The author, Stevenson, presents this in numerous ways and describes the two conflicting sides well.

    Read More

  • Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Supernatural Analysis

    923 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mr. Utterson is a lawyer who is trying to figure out the mystery that consists of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde murders a person early in the story and Utterson is attempting to figure out why Jekyll would let a murderer live with him. The reader finds out in the last chapter of the story that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are actually the same person who’s wrestling with a supernatural, dual-personality life. Dr. Lanyon is friends with Mr. Utterson and Dr. Jekyll. As for Robert Louis Stevenson, was born in Europe in 1950.

    Read More

  • Good And Evil In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    1002 Words  | 5 Pages

    Jekyll and Hyde TCEA In the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the predominant archetypal theme is “good and evil exist in all humans, and we live our lives struggling with these two forces.” This theme describes the duality of good and evil in Dr. Jekyll—the good being Jekyll and bad being Hyde— and the struggle he has with both sides fighting for dominance within himself. The emotional mindset and the physical attributes of Jekyll and Hyde show the good and evil within themselves.

    Read More

  • Dr Jekyll And Hyde Book Report

    1581 Words  | 7 Pages

    “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a book that intrigues one’s mind, because it makes us question ourselves about the balance between the two opposing forces. The story starts out with Mr. Utterson, a lawyer and a great friend of Dr. Jekyll, hearing about Hyde for the first time, who is very shady and somewhat misconfigured. Mr. Utterson hears about Hyde’s bad reputation, and his usage of Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory; therefore, Mr. Utterson suspects some kind of relationship between Hyde and Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Utterson’s friend Lanyon, who is a doctor, dies after Dr. Jekyll goes into seclusion; Mr. Utterson goes to Dr. Jekyll’s house to seek the truth behind Lanyon’s death, but he instead sees Hyde dead. Mr. Utterson

    Read More

  • Jekyll And Hyde Duality

    151 Words  | 1 Pages

    Overall, Stevenson’s presentation of the duality of man is conveyed by the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde because towards the end of the novel. Jekyll begins to realise that the schism which once caused them to despise one another, help them understand each other situation. Jekyll even begins to ‘pity’ Hyde toward the end of novel, praising his ‘love for life’ by calling it ‘wonderful’, as his creator he consequently acknowledges the condescending attitudes towards Hyde, unfairly for his appearance, however rightfully so for his actions. Moreover, like Darwin’s theory, Hyde could never be accepted into society, often being characterised as a ‘brute’. Additionally, Jekyll’s actions would be condemned by the Victorian readers, as he was

    Read More

  • Realism In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

    1492 Words  | 6 Pages

    Stevenson also warns readers of the all-consuming nature of evil. This is indisputably epitomised in the character os Dr. Jekyll as he succumbs to his “other self”, Hyde, and is unable to escape from the insidious nature of Hyde. Only death was able to relieve Dr. Jekyll of his immoral and “wicked” side (Stevenson 1689). Therefore, the text could be viewed as a 19th century social novel that allegorises the evils and immoral vices of

    Read More

  • Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Research Paper

    1065 Words  | 5 Pages

    Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" brings the double personality theme, but, the story itself is about the mystery behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's connection. The whole story goes around Mr. Utterson - a decent lawyer - trying to find out what is wrong with his dear friend, Henry Jekyll, and what is his relationship with the devilish man, also known as Mr. Hyde. On the end of the story, the reader finds out that Mr. Hyde is Jekyll's evil side: the doctor was fascinated by the duality of human nature and decided to do some experiments to separate his two sides, the good one and the evil one. Henry Jekyll wanted to do things that he couldn't because of his reputation and social morals, therefore, the best and only way of doing what he really wanted to was to have another side that no one knew. On the other hand, he didn't know how evil his other side could be: Mr. Hyde was purely evil and Dr. Jekyll wasn't purely good.

    Read More

More about Jekyll And Mr Hyde Allegory

Open Document