The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the duality of human nature through themes of secrecy and reputation in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Set in Victorian London, the novel delves into how characters maintain public personas while harboring dark secrets.
Reputation in Jekyll and Hyde is a central theme that drives the narrative forward. The story's protagonist, Dr. Jekyll, is a respected scientist and Victorian gentleman who struggles to maintain his sterling reputation while secretly transforming into the murderous Mr. Hyde. The novel explores how Victorian morality and social expectations force characters to maintain strict public facades. This is particularly evident through characters like Mr. Utterson, whose reputation as a lawyer and friend leads him to investigate the mysterious connection between Jekyll and Hyde. The theme of secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde manifests through various literary devices, including letters, documents, and physical symbols like Jekyll's laboratory door and walking cane. These elements serve as tangible representations of the hidden truths and deceptions that permeate the story.
The novel's exploration of hypocrisy and the Victorian compromise is evident in how characters navigate their public and private lives. Through Utterson's famous declaration "If he shall be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek," the story emphasizes the tension between appearance and reality. The use of multiple narrators and documentary evidence, including letters and documents in Jekyll and Hyde, creates a layered narrative that gradually reveals the truth about Jekyll's transformation. This structure mirrors the theme of secrecy itself, as readers, like the characters, must piece together clues to understand the full story. The novel's symbols and physical descriptions, from the mysterious door to Hyde's deformed appearance, reinforce the idea that external appearances often mask internal corruption, a central concern of Victorian society.
