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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Published in 1866 A book about human nature – the good and the evil within us all. About a ‘respectable’ doctor, called Henry Jekyll, who transforms into the evil Edward Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenson. Writing influenced by Christian beliefs
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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Published in 1866 A book about human nature – the good and the evil within us all. About a ‘respectable’ doctor, called Henry Jekyll, who transforms into the evil Edward Hyde.
Robert Louis Stevenson Writing influenced by Christian beliefs Fascinated by the life of Deacon Brodie (a respectable tradesman who led a secret life of a robber) Fascinated by the behaviour of Victorian gentlemen
Victorian gentlemen • Gentlemen = upper classes of Victorian society (though many middle class men aspired to be seen as gentlemen) • Expected to be moral people, though some gentlemen simply had an outward facade of being decent members of the community.
Expected to keep their emotions under control and hide desires for things such as sex and alcohol. Many gentlemen were very snobbish about certain places whilst visiting them secretly (brothels, public houses etc.) Gentlemen vulnerable to blackmail...
Science and religion • Christianity – strong influence. • Belief that everyone is naturally sinful – is this why Jekyll tries to separate his ‘sinful’ aspect? • Tension between science and religion. • Publication of Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of the Species’ in 1859. Unsettling idea for the Victorians that they could be descended from apes and that there could be an animalistic side to everyone. • Hyde arguably portrayed as less evolved.
In the novel.... In the novel, Science arguably portrayed as unsettling, dangerous and ‘playing God’ to change human nature. A warning? Lanyon – keeps science and religion separate Jekyll – combines the two and uses science to deal with that ‘hard law’ of life (that all humans are naturally sinful). Jekyll creates Hyde because he is so troubled by his own sins. Stevenson seems to be criticising the act of being religious and moral in public and sinful in private – Jekyll is ultimately hypocritical. However, Jekyll is still proud: ‘I was the first....’ is repeated with regard to his scientific achievements.
Victorian London: Divisions in the city. Whilst middle/upper classes lived in richly furnished houses (like Jekyll), large slum-like areas sprung up in the East End with damp and no running water. • This ‘working class’ area of London was not respectable – certainly not where a gentlemen would want to be seen! Some gentlemen would travel to these parts of the city, to live out private desires. Hyde is the one who does this on behalf of Jekyll. • Hyde is associated with less respectable parts of the city. Alongside the laboratory, Jekyll sets up a house for Hyde in ‘dismal quarter of Soho’ where ‘ragged children’ huddle in doorways (this is revealed in the final chapter).
What are the key issues/debates in today’s society? • The rise of social media and ‘selfie’ culture
1) The rise of social media and ‘selfie culture’2) Obesity/ ‘body shaming’3) People ‘rising up’ against politicians4) Increase in mental health disorders5) Transgender rights
In parts of the novel, the description of London seems genuinely nightmarish with fog, gloom and winding alleys.
Victorian England Reputation Science and religion Victorian London Jekyll and Hyde published 1886
Hyde is less evolved • ‘seems hardly human’ • the ‘animal within’ Henry Jekyll. • lets out a ‘scream of animal terror’. • Poole describes him as ‘like a monkey’.
Stevenson criticises the act of being religious in public and sinful in private. • Jekyll is presented as a hypocrite. • He puts on a ‘show’ of doing good deeds but then doesn’t deal with his conscience. He thinks Hyde alone is guilty. This leads to his downfall ultimately!
