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Charlotte Lepine

C. Smurthwaite

Science and Literature

November 17, 2023

Topic Number 6

The Price of Insight

Humans have forever been a curious species, constantly aiming to delve

deeper into the realms of science, philosophy, and technology in a relentless

quest for knowledge. However, in the pursuit of understanding, the age-old

adage “ignorance is bliss” often lingers in the background. There comes a point

where knowing too much is a double-edged sword - transforming

enlightenment into burden. Robert Louis Stevenson’s narrative in “Dr Jekyll

and Mr Hyde” substantiates this claim by showcasing scenarios in which the

pursuit of truth yields distressing outcomes rather than solace. The story

portrays Lanyon’s quest to uncover secrets as the catalyst to his illness.

Additionally, the longing to unravel humanity’s mysteries takes precedence

over Jekyll’s self-identity. Finally, Jekyll’s environs are harmed due to his

speculative studies. Stevenson’s novella reminds us that the quest for

forbidden knowledge is a dangerous venture.

Firstly, Lanyon’s pursuit of Hyde’s secret is depicted as the root cause of

his ailment. To begin, Lanyon’s world view is permanently disrupted after

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witnessing Jekyll’s transformation. In his response to Utterson’s concern

towards him, the doctor states: “‘Well, life has been pleasant; I liked it; yes, sir,

I used to like it. I sometimes think if we knew all, we should be more glad to get

away’” (31). His assertion demonstrates how profoundly the revelation

negatively impacts his attitude towards life, as it shatters his belief system.

Jekyll’s transformation brought awareness of darker truths about human

existence to him – truths that he never believed possible. In his introspection,

Lanyon corrects himself when discussing his outlook on life, clarifying that he

“used to like it”. This correction suggests that he would have been perfectly

content with his life had he continued to remain unaware of the new

discoveries. Moreover, the notion of “getting away” implies his desire to escape

the new perspective on life that he developed following the revelation. To an

even greater extreme, the revelatory discovery concerning Hyde ultimately kills

the doctor. Towards the end of his letter to Utterson, Lanyon declares: “My life

is shaken to its roots; sleep has left me; the deadliest terror sits by me at all

hours of the day and night; I feel that my days are numbered, and that I must

die; and yet I shall die incredulous” (56). In this passage, Lanyon conveys the

deep sense of physical anguish he suffers after the metamorphosis. He utilizes

a gradation to enumerate the symptoms of the physical decline he undergoes,

which culminate in his death. Refusing to accept his new worldview, he is

conscious that he will never physically recover from the shock it inflicts, and

attributes this to the cause of his demise. In essence, Lanyon’s character would
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have been spared from suffering had he heeded Hyde’s warnings against

unveiling horrifying secrets.

Secondly, Jekyll’s desire to unravel the enigmas of human nature

consumes him entirely. This is first observed as the doctor loses autonomy over

his decisions due to the second identity he forges. The obligation to conceal his

identity as Hyde supersedes his ability to pursue his own desires. This is

demonstrated in an interaction between Jekyll and the two cousins:

“That is just what I was about to venture to propose,” returned the

doctor with a smile. But the words were hardly uttered, before the smile

was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of […] abject

terror and despair […]. They saw it but for a glimpse, for the window was

instantly thrust down […], and they turned and left the court without a

word. (35)

Initially, Jekyll is delighted to see his friends and affirms his desire to converse

with them. However, that decision is abruptly overruled by an incoming

changeover to Hyde. His cabinet becomes a symbolic prison, as he is mentally

incapable of leaving it due to his transformations, despite his desire to do so.

Further along the story, while exploring his darker side, Jekyll loses himself to

merely become a fraction of Hyde. In his statement of the case, the doctor

explains:

Under the strain of this continually impending doom and by the

sleeplessness to which I now condemned myself, ay, even beyond what I

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had thought possible to man, I became, in my own person, a creature

eaten up and emptied by fever, languidly weak both in body and mind,

and solely occupied by one thought: the horror of my other self. (72)

He provides insight into how his existence now centers on Hyde and is guided

by the anguish he experiences due to his second half. Whereas he previously

maintained his own passions and desires, he now exclusively concerns himself

with those of his alter ego. He proceeds to characterize himself as a creature

rather than a human, revealing how he no longer identifies with the version of

himself that initially embarked on these trials. His preoccupations with Hyde

have reduced him to a fragment of his former self, negatively impacting every

facet of his life. To conclude, Jekyll becomes a prisoner of the fruits of his

experiments.

Thirdly, while venturing into unknown theories, Jekyll directly harms his

surrounding environment. In a first instance, while delving into his identity as

Hyde, the crimes that Jekyll commits plunge his city into a disturbed state.

The second identity that Jekyll embodies is cruel, perpetrating multiple violent

offenses directly involving members of his city’s community. The pinnacle of his

behaviour is his murder of Sir Danvers, who was a symbol of peace and

kindness to the locals. Upon having the old gentleman, including everything he

symbolized, taken away from them, the sense of distress felt by the community

is illustrated in the narration: “Time ran on; thousands of pounds were offered

in reward, for the death of Sir Danvers was resented as a public injury […]”
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(30). The large sum of money offered as a reward reflects the seriousness with

which the public regards the incident as an affront to their safety and well-

being. In a second instance, the consequences of Jekyll’s experiments render

his servants dysfunctional. During his visit, Utterson scolds the staff for their

underperformance:

“What, what? Are you all here?” said the lawyer peevishly. “Very

irregular, very unseemly; your master would be far from pleased.”

“They’re all afraid,” said Poole. (38)

Poole attributes this disorder to the fear which has been instilled in them after

witnessing Jekyll’s secrecy and presence as Hyde. The abnormality and secrecy

of Jekyll’s studies contribute to the growing sense of unease within his

household. Utterson’s remark about their conduct displeasing Jekyll

underscores the intensity of their sense of dread. This overwhelming fright

causes the servants to huddle together and neglect their primary duty of

serving Jekyll, regardless of the risk of upsetting their employer. In sum, the

detrimental effects of Jekyll’s research extend beyond his personal sphere,

impacting the broader society.

To conclude, Stevenson’s “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” serves as a cautionary

tale, suggesting the perilous nature of probing into the realm of the unknown.

The story accomplishes this by demonstrating how Lanyon’s undoing is owed

to his discovery of new information. Moreover, Jekyll becomes ensnared by the

outcomes of his relentless curiosity. Finally, the welfare of the public at large is
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jeopardized by Jekyll’s scientific hypotheses. This goes to show that, contrary

to popular belief, knowledge does not always equate to power.

Word count: 1222

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Works Cited

Stevenson, Robert Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 1886. Penguin, 2012.