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Stevenson uses historical references to deepen the character's complexity.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.
