Chapter 7: Jekyll's Internal Struggle
In this chapter, Stevenson masterfully uses setting and imagery to reflect Dr. Jekyll's internal turmoil. The description of the court as "cool and a little damp, and full of premature twilight" serves as an objective correlative, mirroring Jekyll's psychological state.
Highlight: The three windows in the scene symbolize Freud's concept of id, ego, and superego, with Jekyll positioned at the middle window, representing his struggle to balance these aspects of his psyche.
The imagery of twilight is particularly significant, as it represents the liminal state between light and dark, good and evil. This aligns with the central theme of duality in the novel and reflects Jekyll's current moral ambiguity.
Quote: "The middle one of the three windows was half-way open; and sitting close beside it, taking the air with an infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner."
This description portrays Jekyll as a prisoner, not of external forces, but of his own creation – Mr. Hyde. The isolation and sadness evident in this scene foreshadow the tragic consequences of Jekyll's experiments.
Vocabulary: Objective correlative - A literary technique where external objects or situations are used to convey the internal emotions or thoughts of a character.
Chapter 9: The Revelation
The climax of the novel occurs in Chapter 9, with the shocking revelation of Jekyll's true identity. Stevenson's choice of words here is particularly impactful.
Quote: "Like a man restored from death-there stood Henry Jekyll."
This simile carries multiple layers of meaning. It not only reveals the truth to the reader but also emphasizes the theme of duality. Jekyll's reappearance is likened to a resurrection, contrasting the "death" associated with Hyde.
Analysis: This revelation combines elements of science, religion, and the supernatural, highlighting the novel's exploration of the conflict between scientific progress and traditional beliefs.
Characterization of Hyde
Stevenson's portrayal of Hyde is consistently animalistic, using zoomorphism to emphasize his primitive and violent nature.
Example: Descriptions such as "ape-like fury," "like a rat," and "mere animal terror" paint Hyde as a bestial creature, embodying the basest human instincts.
This characterization aligns with Jekyll and Hyde Freud theory, where Hyde represents the id – the primal, instinctual part of the psyche.
Quote: "Black sneering coolness/like Satan"
This comparison to Satan introduces religious imagery, further emphasizing Hyde's evil nature and the moral implications of Jekyll's experiments.
Dr. Lanyon's Reaction
Dr. Lanyon's response to witnessing Jekyll's transformation provides a crucial perspective on the events.
Quote: "God!" I screamed and "O God! Again"
Lanyon's instinctive appeal to God, despite his scientific background, underscores the shocking and inexplicable nature of Jekyll's transformation. This reaction highlights the conflict between science and religion central to the novel's themes.
