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Exploring Reputation and Secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde: Duality and Victorian Society Quotes Essay PDF

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Jess Dodwell

17/07/2022

English Literature

Jekyll and Hyde: reputation

Exploring Reputation and Secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde: Duality and Victorian Society Quotes Essay PDF

Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' explores the complex interplay of reputation, duality, and Victorian societal norms. Set against the backdrop of rapid industrial and scientific advancement, the novella delves into the psychological impact of restrictive social expectations on Victorian gentlemen.

Key points:

  • The story draws inspiration from the real-life scandal of Deacon William Brody
  • Characters prioritize reputation preservation over truth-seeking
  • The narrative explores the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires
  • Stevenson uses the character of Utterson to illustrate the burden of maintaining a respectable reputation
  • The novella touches on Freudian concepts of id, ego, and superego, predating their formal introduction
...

17/07/2022

1110

Jekyll and Hyde Practice Essay
Write about Reputation and how it is presented in the novel
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote 'The Strange Case of

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Reputation and Duality in Jekyll and Hyde: A Deeper Analysis

In Chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', Robert Louis Stevenson introduces the reader to the complex interplay between reputation in Jekyll and Hyde and the societal norms of Victorian England. The author skillfully uses the characters of Utterson and Enfield to illustrate the paramount importance placed on maintaining one's reputation in this era.

Stevenson presents a society where discretion and avoidance of gossip are highly valued. This is exemplified by Enfield's statement, "the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask," which underscores the prevailing attitude towards potentially scandalous information. This approach to social interaction reveals a deeper truth about Victorian society - the preservation of reputation often takes precedence over the pursuit of truth.

Highlight: The characters' agreement to "never to refer to this again" regarding the association between Hyde and Jekyll demonstrates how reputation preservation is prioritized over truth-seeking in Victorian society.

The author introduces Gabriel Utterson as a paragon of respectability, describing him as "a modest man" who was "eminently human" and possessed an "approved tolerance for others." This characterization serves to establish Utterson as a reliable narrator, earning the reader's trust in his account of events.

Quote: Stevenson describes Utterson as "wondering, almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds," revealing the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

This description of Utterson's inner thoughts provides insight into the psychological burden of maintaining a respectable reputation in Victorian society. It suggests that even the most upright individuals may harbor desires that conflict with societal norms, hinting at the universal nature of this internal struggle.

Vocabulary: Duality - The concept of having two contrasting aspects or natures, which is a central theme in the novella, particularly in relation to the character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The novella touches on themes that would later be formalized in Freudian psychology, such as the conflict between the id representedbyHyderepresented by Hyde and the superego embodiedbyUttersonsstrictadherencetosocietalnormsembodied by Utterson's strict adherence to societal norms. This psychological exploration adds depth to the characters' struggles with reputation and societal expectations.

Example: Utterson's habit of drinking gin when alone to "mortify a taste for vintages" illustrates the extreme lengths to which individuals might go to maintain their reputation, even in private.

Stevenson's work provides a critical examination of Victorian societal norms in Jekyll and Hyde, highlighting the suffocating nature of reputation-based social structures and their impact on individual psychology. The author's exploration of these themes offers readers a profound insight into the complexities of human nature and the societal pressures of the Victorian era.

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English Literature

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17 Jul 2022

2 pages

Exploring Reputation and Secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde: Duality and Victorian Society Quotes Essay PDF

Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' explores the complex interplay of reputation, duality, and Victorian societal norms. Set against the backdrop of rapid industrial and scientific advancement, the novella... Show more

Jekyll and Hyde Practice Essay
Write about Reputation and how it is presented in the novel
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote 'The Strange Case of

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Reputation and Duality in Jekyll and Hyde: A Deeper Analysis

In Chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', Robert Louis Stevenson introduces the reader to the complex interplay between reputation in Jekyll and Hyde and the societal norms of Victorian England. The author skillfully uses the characters of Utterson and Enfield to illustrate the paramount importance placed on maintaining one's reputation in this era.

Stevenson presents a society where discretion and avoidance of gossip are highly valued. This is exemplified by Enfield's statement, "the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask," which underscores the prevailing attitude towards potentially scandalous information. This approach to social interaction reveals a deeper truth about Victorian society - the preservation of reputation often takes precedence over the pursuit of truth.

Highlight: The characters' agreement to "never to refer to this again" regarding the association between Hyde and Jekyll demonstrates how reputation preservation is prioritized over truth-seeking in Victorian society.

The author introduces Gabriel Utterson as a paragon of respectability, describing him as "a modest man" who was "eminently human" and possessed an "approved tolerance for others." This characterization serves to establish Utterson as a reliable narrator, earning the reader's trust in his account of events.

Quote: Stevenson describes Utterson as "wondering, almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds," revealing the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

This description of Utterson's inner thoughts provides insight into the psychological burden of maintaining a respectable reputation in Victorian society. It suggests that even the most upright individuals may harbor desires that conflict with societal norms, hinting at the universal nature of this internal struggle.

Vocabulary: Duality - The concept of having two contrasting aspects or natures, which is a central theme in the novella, particularly in relation to the character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The novella touches on themes that would later be formalized in Freudian psychology, such as the conflict between the id representedbyHyderepresented by Hyde and the superego embodiedbyUttersonsstrictadherencetosocietalnormsembodied by Utterson's strict adherence to societal norms. This psychological exploration adds depth to the characters' struggles with reputation and societal expectations.

Example: Utterson's habit of drinking gin when alone to "mortify a taste for vintages" illustrates the extreme lengths to which individuals might go to maintain their reputation, even in private.

Stevenson's work provides a critical examination of Victorian societal norms in Jekyll and Hyde, highlighting the suffocating nature of reputation-based social structures and their impact on individual psychology. The author's exploration of these themes offers readers a profound insight into the complexities of human nature and the societal pressures of the Victorian era.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Jekyll and Hyde: Reputation and Societal Pressures

Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', written in 1886, offers a profound exploration of reputation in Jekyll and Hyde against the backdrop of Victorian society. The novella delves into the psychological impact of rapid industrial, scientific, and technological advancements on Victorian gentlemen, highlighting the suffocating nature of societal expectations.

Stevenson's work draws inspiration from a sensational real-life scandal involving Deacon William Brody in 1788. This historical event, which captivated the Victorian public, serves as a foundation for Stevenson's examination of duality in human nature.

The narrative employs an omniscient third-person narrator to observe how characters navigate friendships within the confines of extreme discretion. This storytelling approach allows readers to witness the characters' struggles with maintaining their reputations while grappling with their inner desires.

Highlight: The preservation of reputation emerges as a paramount concern for the characters in the novella, often at the expense of truth and genuine relationships.

In Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to the characters of Utterson and Enfield, who exemplify the Victorian obsession with reputation. Their conversation reveals a societal norm of avoiding gossip at all costs, even when confronted with potentially scandalous information.

Quote: Enfield states, "the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask," highlighting the prevailing attitude towards potentially reputation-damaging information.

Stevenson uses the character of Utterson to illustrate the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires. Despite being portrayed as eminently trustworthy and respectable, Utterson experiences a sense of envy towards those who are not bound by such strict moral codes.

Vocabulary: Id and Superego - These Freudian concepts, although not formally introduced until after the novella's publication, are explored through the characters' internal struggles. The id represents primal human drives, while the superego embodies moral constraints.

The novella touches on themes that would later be formalized in Freudian psychology, such as the conflict between the id and superego. This psychological exploration adds depth to the characters' struggles with reputation and societal norms.

Example: Utterson's reluctance to open Lanyon's letter due to "professional honour and faith to his dear friend" demonstrates the conflict between curiosity idid and societal obligations superegosuperego.

Stevenson's work provides a critical examination of Victorian societal norms in Jekyll and Hyde, highlighting the suffocating nature of reputation-based social structures and their impact on individual psychology.

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Thomas R

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

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Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

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