Character Analysis: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll character analysis:
- Well-respected and intelligent scientist
- Risks losing friendships and reputation for his experiments
- Struggles to control his alter ego, Hyde
- Believes in the duality of human nature
Quote: "I felt younger, lighter, happier in body" - Jekyll describing his initial transformation into Hyde.
Quote: "Man is not truly one, but truly two" - Jekyll's belief in the dual nature of humanity.
Jekyll's descent into Hyde:
- Gradually loses control over transformations
- Becomes increasingly dependent on the Hyde persona
Quote: "I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse."
Mr. Hyde character analysis:
- Physically small but violent and unpleasant in appearance
- Lacks social constraints and moral compass
- Commits multiple crimes without remorse
- Represents the dark, repressed side of Jekyll's personality
Quote: "With ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim" - Description of Hyde's violent nature.
Quote: "I mauled the unresisting body, tasting delight from every blow" - Hyde's lack of empathy and enjoyment of violence.
The transformation process:
Quote: "I had gone to bed as Henry Jekyll and awoke as Edward Hyde" - Illustrating the unpredictable nature of the transformations.
The novella explores the consequences of unleashing one's darker impulses and the struggle to maintain a respectable facade in Victorian society. Through the characters of Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson delves into the complex nature of human personality and the dangers of repression.
