The duality of man is a highly debated topic, and while some believe that man is either perfectly good or completely evil, others argue “man is not truly one; but truly two” (Stevenson 65). However, what truly defines a man? According to the rules and standards set during the Victorian age, a man is only as good as his wealth and social stance in the community. Wanting to abide to these Victorian standards, both Dr. Jekyll and Dorian Gray were forced to hide their other evil beings, and in doing so created monsters. Unlike Mary Shelley’s monster in Frankenstein, who was formed by sewing together body parts, Dorian and Henry create monsters that divide the good and evil in their soul’s, known as their doppelgängers. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
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The first night Hyde went out, he “trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming on the ground” (Stevenson 4). Even though it was minor crime, Jekyll received so much joy and pleasure from trampling the young girl. Jekyll feels his crime was harmless, but his friend begins to fear for Jekyll. Unlike Jekyll who found it satisfying, Utterson did not want Jekyll to be associated with such a cruel man. Utters tries to convince Jekyll to break his relations with Hyde, but Jekyll reassures him that “the moment [he] choose[s], [he], can be rid of Mr. Hyde” (Stevenson 20). Jekyll is unconcerned with the influence of Hyde and believes that he has complete control in the relationship. Even though he does not want to, Jekyll knows that he can get rid of Hyde whenever he desires because he is the main ego and has complete control over Hyde. Similarly, the first sin Dorian Gray committed was minor. Dorian met and feel in love with an actress, however was very disappointed when she preformed poorly before his friends. Embarrassed by her performance Dorian broke off his engagement and left her to “[weep] silently” (Wilde 85) on the floor. Dorian Gray does not feel bad for the crime he committed until he notices the change in the painting. Dorian was going to apologize to Sibyl but …show more content…
As Jekyll receives satisfaction from the crimes of Edward Hyde, he does not realize his strength until one night he falls asleep as Henry Jekyll, but wakes up as Hyde. Jekyll feared that he might be permanently overthrown as the main ego “and the character of Edward Hyde become irrevocably [his]” (Stevenson 73). Jekyll began to see the power that Hyde has over his body and fears that he may loose the ability to change back and forth between the egos. Jekyll decided he had to stop taking the potion to weaken Hyde, however after two months of keeping his promise, Jekyll slipped. Dr. Jekyll took the potion, and he transformed into Hyde, he is furious. Jekyll was forced to watch as Hyde brutally beat an old man as he dropped to “his knees and lifted his clasped hands to God” (Stevenson 76). Jekyll lost control over Hyde and is forced to watch as he has no power to stop the brutal murder. Jekyll realizes his loss of power and influence is a huge issue and knows he must do something to stop Hyde from hurting anyone else. Similarly, the painting’s influence upon Dorian grows. Living a double life, Dorian enjoyed going to elegant operas and dinner parties, but late at night his real pleasure came from his secret trips to opium dens, a place where no gentleman would be seen. Dorian made a joke out of the picture’s
The first night Hyde went out, he “trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming on the ground” (Stevenson 4). Even though it was minor crime, Jekyll received so much joy and pleasure from trampling the young girl. Jekyll feels his crime was harmless, but his friend begins to fear for Jekyll. Unlike Jekyll who found it satisfying, Utterson did not want Jekyll to be associated with such a cruel man. Utters tries to convince Jekyll to break his relations with Hyde, but Jekyll reassures him that “the moment [he] choose[s], [he], can be rid of Mr. Hyde” (Stevenson 20). Jekyll is unconcerned with the influence of Hyde and believes that he has complete control in the relationship. Even though he does not want to, Jekyll knows that he can get rid of Hyde whenever he desires because he is the main ego and has complete control over Hyde. Similarly, the first sin Dorian Gray committed was minor. Dorian met and feel in love with an actress, however was very disappointed when she preformed poorly before his friends. Embarrassed by her performance Dorian broke off his engagement and left her to “[weep] silently” (Wilde 85) on the floor. Dorian Gray does not feel bad for the crime he committed until he notices the change in the painting. Dorian was going to apologize to Sibyl but …show more content…
As Jekyll receives satisfaction from the crimes of Edward Hyde, he does not realize his strength until one night he falls asleep as Henry Jekyll, but wakes up as Hyde. Jekyll feared that he might be permanently overthrown as the main ego “and the character of Edward Hyde become irrevocably [his]” (Stevenson 73). Jekyll began to see the power that Hyde has over his body and fears that he may loose the ability to change back and forth between the egos. Jekyll decided he had to stop taking the potion to weaken Hyde, however after two months of keeping his promise, Jekyll slipped. Dr. Jekyll took the potion, and he transformed into Hyde, he is furious. Jekyll was forced to watch as Hyde brutally beat an old man as he dropped to “his knees and lifted his clasped hands to God” (Stevenson 76). Jekyll lost control over Hyde and is forced to watch as he has no power to stop the brutal murder. Jekyll realizes his loss of power and influence is a huge issue and knows he must do something to stop Hyde from hurting anyone else. Similarly, the painting’s influence upon Dorian grows. Living a double life, Dorian enjoyed going to elegant operas and dinner parties, but late at night his real pleasure came from his secret trips to opium dens, a place where no gentleman would be seen. Dorian made a joke out of the picture’s