Jekyll's Transformation and Societal Critique

As the story progresses, how Jekyll is presented at the end of the novel becomes increasingly complex. The Carew murder case reveals that it was Jekyll, not Hyde, who committed the horrific assault, challenging the notion of Hyde as the sole embodiment of evil.

Highlight: The attack on Carew, a middle-class man wandering late at night, is presented as Jekyll's reaction to societal hypocrisy, particularly regarding the criminalization of homosexuality.

Stevenson uses this incident to critique the duality in Jekyll and Hyde quotes and analysis, showing how repression of natural instincts can lead to violent outbursts. The author challenges the Victorian idea that humans can be purely good or evil, instead suggesting a more nuanced view of human nature.

Quote: "Stevenson does this to show how we wanted this ideology to be abolished just as Carew was."

The novella concludes with Jekyll's will, stating that Hyde should take his place "without further delay" if he disappears. This symbolism in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represents Stevenson's rejection of Victorian society and its moral constraints.

Definition: Duplicity - The state of being double; the use of deceptive behavior or speech.

In conclusion, Stevenson presents Jekyll as a vehicle for critiquing societal norms and exploring the complexities of human nature. The themes in Jekyll and Hyde revolve around the dangers of repressing natural instincts and the hypocrisy of a society that outwardly condemns vices while secretly indulging in them. Through Jekyll's character, Stevenson argues that humans are inherently a combination of good and evil, and denying this duality leads to disastrous consequences.

How Dr Jekyll is Presented in the Play

Stevenson presents Dr Jekyll as a complex character embodying the duality of human nature and the hypocrisy of Victorian society. How is Dr Jekyll presented in the play summary reveals a man of high status whose experiments challenge religious beliefs and societal norms.

Highlight: Stevenson's wife burned his first draft, prompting him to write a more allegorical version that subtly critiques Victorian morality.

The setting plays a crucial role in Jekyll's presentation. His house symbolizes the duality in Jekyll and Hyde, with the respectable front representing Jekyll's public facade and the sinister back entrance symbolizing Hyde's hidden nature.

Example: The house is described as "handsome" at the front, mirroring Jekyll's outward appearance, while the back is "sinister" with a "blind forehead," representing Hyde's concealed presence.

Stevenson uses historical references to deepen the character's complexity. Jekyll's house is placed in Leicester Square, reminiscent of John Hunter's residence, a surgeon who advanced medicine through controversial means.

Quote: "By Stevenson's time, Hunter was celebrated for the advances in surgery his experiments brought about, rather than for his immorality."

This parallel challenges readers to question societal judgments of morality and sin, a central theme in how Jekyll is presented as a troubled character.

The novella presents Jekyll's experiments as potentially beneficial to mankind, mirroring Hunter's controversial yet ultimately valuable work. This portrayal invites readers to consider the nuances of morality and the potential good in seemingly immoral actions.

Vocabulary: Allegorical - A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.