Doctor Jeckill and Mr Hyde

GENERAL ANALYSIS
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published
in 1886. It's a classic tale of duality and the human struggle between good and evil. Here's
a brief analysis:

1. Duality of Human Nature: The novella explores the idea that within every person, there
are conflicting desires and tendencies. Dr. Jekyll's scientific experiment separates his good
and evil sides, personified by Mr. Hyde, highlighting the dual nature of humanity.

2. Scientific Exploration: Dr. Jekyll's transformation is brought about by a chemical

experiment, reflecting the fascination with science and experimentation that was prevalent
in the late 19th century.

3. Morality and Ethics: The story raises questions about the boundaries of morality and
the consequences of indulging in one's darker impulses. It suggests that unchecked desires
can lead to moral degradation.

4. Society's Repression: Dr. Jekyll's initial transformation is driven by a desire to indulge

in his darker instincts without social consequences. This reflects a commentary on the
constraints and expectations of Victorian society.

5. Narrative Style: The novella is structured as a series of letters, documents, and accounts,
creating a sense of mystery and suspense as the truth about Jekyll and Hyde is gradually
revealed.

6. Allegory for Addiction: Dr. Jekyll's transformation into Mr. Hyde can be seen as an
allegory for addiction, where individuals struggle to control destructive behaviors and
impulses.

7. Influence on Popular Culture: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" has had a significant impact
on literature and popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations and variations in
books, films, and other media.

Overall, the novella explores timeless themes of human nature, morality, and the
consequences of indulging in one's darker side, making it a classic work of literature that
continues to be studied and adapted in various forms.

MAIN SYMBOLS

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" contains several symbols that contribute to the story's themes
and meanings. Here are some of the main symbols:

1. **The Potion**: Dr. Jekyll's chemical potion represents the power of science and the
human desire to tamper with the boundaries of human nature. It symbolizes the potential
for both good and evil within individuals.
2. **Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde**: These two characters are symbolic of the dual nature of
humanity. Dr. Jekyll represents the socially acceptable, morally upright side, while Mr.
Hyde embodies the dark and unrestrained desires that exist within everyone.

3. **London at Night**: The dark and foggy streets of London at night symbolize the
hidden and mysterious aspects of human nature. It's a setting that conceals the truth and
allows Dr. Jekyll to indulge his darker side without fear of discovery.

4. **The Door**: Dr. Jekyll's laboratory and the door that he uses to transform into Mr.
Hyde symbolize the division between his public and private selves. It represents the
boundary that he crosses to explore his hidden desires.

5. **The Letter**: Dr. Jekyll's letter, which reveals the truth about his transformation, is a
symbol of confession and the consequences of one's actions. It's a way for him to reveal the
moral and ethical implications of his experiments.

6. **The Mirror**: Mirrors in the novella are often used to symbolize self-reflection and
the duality of human nature. Characters frequently look at themselves in mirrors, which
can be seen as a metaphor for introspection and the struggle to understand one's own
identity.

These symbols help to convey the deeper themes and messages of the story, particularly
the idea of the dual nature of humanity and the consequences of suppressing or indulging
one's darker impulses.

MAIN THEMES AND MOTIFS

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" explores several prominent themes and motifs:

**Themes**:

1. **Duality of Human Nature**: The most central theme in the novella, it examines the
coexistence of good and evil within the same individual. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
represent the dual nature of humanity, and the story highlights the struggle to reconcile
these conflicting aspects.

2. **Science and Experimentation**: The theme of scientific exploration and

experimentation is prevalent, with Dr. Jekyll's chemical potion serving as a symbol for the
potential dangers and ethical dilemmas associated with tampering with the boundaries of
human nature.

3. **Morality and Ethics**: The novella raises questions about moral boundaries and
ethical responsibility. It explores the consequences of indulging in one's darker desires and
the impact on one's sense of morality.

4. **Society and Repression**: The strict societal norms and expectations of Victorian
England are explored, and Dr. Jekyll's transformation into Mr. Hyde can be seen as a
response to the repression and conformity imposed by society.
5. **The Consequences of Secrecy**: The story emphasizes the negative consequences of
hiding one's true self and maintaining secrets. Dr. Jekyll's desire to keep his
transformations hidden leads to disastrous outcomes.

**Motifs**:

1. **Duality**: The motif of duality is reinforced throughout the novella, from the
characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to the contrasting settings and appearances in the
story.

2. **Urban Environment**: The dark, foggy streets of Victorian London at night serve as a
motif that conceals the truth and provides a backdrop for the story's mysterious and
sinister events.

3. **Transformation**: The physical transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde is a

recurring motif, reflecting the transformation of one's identity and character. It's a symbol
of the hidden, often suppressed, aspects of human nature.

4. **Journals and Letters**: The use of written documents, journals, and letters as
narrative devices is a motif that adds an element of mystery and suspense, as the truth
about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is gradually revealed through these documents.

5. **Mirrors and Reflections**: Mirrors and reflections are motifs that symbolize self-
examination and the idea of looking within to understand one's true nature. Characters
often look at themselves in mirrors as they grapple with their own identities.

These themes and motifs work together to create a rich and complex narrative that delves
into the psychological and moral depths of human existence.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR

Robert Louis Stevenson's life experiences and personal struggles have had a significant
influence on his writing, including "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Here are some aspects of his
life that are relevant to understanding the novella:

1. **Health Issues**: Stevenson suffered from chronic health problems throughout his life,
including tuberculosis. His struggles with illness and the fear of death likely influenced his
exploration of the dual nature of existence and the fragility of life in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde."

2. **Repression and Social Norms**: Stevenson came from a strict Scottish Calvinist
family, and he rebelled against the rigid religious and moral values of his upbringing. This
tension between his personal desires and societal expectations is reflected in the themes of
repression and the consequences of indulging in forbidden desires in the novella.
3. **Travel and Exploration**: Stevenson's love of travel and exploration is evident in
many of his works. His experiences traveling and living in different places, such as his
time in Samoa, may have influenced his interest in the dualities of culture and human
nature.

4. **Literary Influences**: Stevenson was well-read and drew inspiration from a wide
range of literature, including Gothic and horror fiction. He was influenced by the works of
Edgar Allan Poe and other writers, which is reflected in the dark and mysterious
atmosphere of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

5. **Friendships and Social Circles**: Stevenson had a close friendship with fellow writer
Henry James, and their discussions about literature and psychology may have influenced
his writing. Additionally, Stevenson's social circle included other notable authors and
thinkers of his time.

6. **Personal Struggles**: Stevenson's personal struggles with his own identity and his
exploration of moral and philosophical questions are reflected in the character of Dr.
Jekyll, who grapples with his own inner demons and questions of morality.

In summary, Robert Louis Stevenson's health, upbringing, experiences, and intellectual

influences all played a role in shaping the themes and characters in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde." His personal struggles and exploration of complex moral and psychological
questions are reflected in the novella, making it a deeply personal and thought-provoking
work.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Context
Homosexuality

He specifically argues that the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde looks like a
homosexual affair to Utterson and would look that way to Stevenson's readers.
Mighall bases this interpretation on lines like the following from Utterson: "It turns
me cold to think of this creature stealing like a thief to Harry's bedside." The
suggestion that Hyde may be blackmailing Jekyll would also signal possible
homosexuality: threatening to expose a man as gay was the basis of many
blackmail cases in the 19th century. This assumption works thematically, since
Hyde is Jekyll's way of indulging passions he cannot pursue in public.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Extra Symbols

Darkness
Darkness is the realm of Mr. Hyde, and he is described as having a "dark
influence" on the world. Hyde moves about mostly at night, committing his
terrible deeds. Night therefore comes to be the time when readers expect dreadful,
evil things to happen in the novella.

The Walking Stick

In Victorian England gentlemen often carried walking sticks. They served both as
weapons, if the need arose, and as signs of belonging to a higher social class. In this
novella Enfield uses his cane to point out the door associated with Mr. Hyde in the
first chapter.

Clothing
Clothing is an external representation of one's self. In a society with clear class
distinctions such as those in Victorian England, this is not subconscious or subtle.
It is conscious, straightforward, and literal: servants wear livery, gentlemen dress
formally, judges wear robes, and so on. The point at which clothing becomes
symbolic in this novella is when Dr. Jekyll changes into Mr. Hyde. Because Hyde is
physically smaller than Jekyll, Jekyll's clothes do not fit him.