As a rebellious and confused twelve year old, it was always tempting to disobey my parents as they continued to restrict me in an attempt prolong my change into a teenager. The more rules that were created to hold me back, the more I would aim to break free. I purposefully broke the rules that bound me. No human wants to feel restricted, regardless of age. An environment that is too suppressive, demanding, and judgmental, constantly aimed towards perfection, can make any well behaved person feel uncomfortable, trapped, and terrified of free expression. This was precisely the type of society that was created by the English government during the Victorian Era. The representative government of this ‘perfect society’, as well as the negative impacts
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An English citizen was expected to selfless while their hard work was devoted to the rapidly prospering country. It is important to note that Dr. Jekyll describes Hyde as “inherently malign and villainous; his every act and thought centered on self” (1818 l. 18-19). Through Hyde, Dr. Jeckll represents a personality that focuses inward, rather than outward on the importance and growth of society. This type of act is a taboo of the time. Additionally, due to Dr. Jekyll’s profession and high class, in the eyes of the citizens he is held to even higher standards than an others within society, such as a factory worker. This increased pressure to perform well and be a role model for others may have given him further reason to create his alternate personality. He found refuge in becoming selfish and was finally able to focus on his own wants and needs instead of contributing to the ever increasing demands of English …show more content…
Jekyll went to the extremes to feel relief from the burdens of society, other characters, such as Mr. Utterson, found other ways of escape. When comparing these two characters, there are many similar characteristic. This includes class status, lifestyles, perceived professionalism, and the burden of extreme pressures from society due to their professions. Mr. Utterson, however, found his escape through alcohol as “…austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages; and though he enjoyed theater, had not crossed the doors of one in twenty years” (1780 l. 7-10). Despite the pleasure he gained through the escape alcohol brought him, the fact that he would often drink alone reveals that he is obligated to be strict with himself in order to uphold his reputation. Although Mr. Utterson does not create an alternative personality through his alcoholism, one can argue that his alternative to Dr. Jekyll’s is no just has harmful to his health and may lead to bad decisions. With an uncontrollable curiosity, Mr. Utterson makes an unwise decision to meet Mr. Hyde when he is least expecting it. This action does not suit the lawyer’s typical personality of being reasonable, suggesting that a strict society in combination with a dark mystery is enough to persuade even the most rational citizen in to investigating the dark side of society. Additionally, one can make a claim that Mr. Utterson follows Hyde at night specifically, where there are no
An English citizen was expected to selfless while their hard work was devoted to the rapidly prospering country. It is important to note that Dr. Jekyll describes Hyde as “inherently malign and villainous; his every act and thought centered on self” (1818 l. 18-19). Through Hyde, Dr. Jeckll represents a personality that focuses inward, rather than outward on the importance and growth of society. This type of act is a taboo of the time. Additionally, due to Dr. Jekyll’s profession and high class, in the eyes of the citizens he is held to even higher standards than an others within society, such as a factory worker. This increased pressure to perform well and be a role model for others may have given him further reason to create his alternate personality. He found refuge in becoming selfish and was finally able to focus on his own wants and needs instead of contributing to the ever increasing demands of English …show more content…
Jekyll went to the extremes to feel relief from the burdens of society, other characters, such as Mr. Utterson, found other ways of escape. When comparing these two characters, there are many similar characteristic. This includes class status, lifestyles, perceived professionalism, and the burden of extreme pressures from society due to their professions. Mr. Utterson, however, found his escape through alcohol as “…austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages; and though he enjoyed theater, had not crossed the doors of one in twenty years” (1780 l. 7-10). Despite the pleasure he gained through the escape alcohol brought him, the fact that he would often drink alone reveals that he is obligated to be strict with himself in order to uphold his reputation. Although Mr. Utterson does not create an alternative personality through his alcoholism, one can argue that his alternative to Dr. Jekyll’s is no just has harmful to his health and may lead to bad decisions. With an uncontrollable curiosity, Mr. Utterson makes an unwise decision to meet Mr. Hyde when he is least expecting it. This action does not suit the lawyer’s typical personality of being reasonable, suggesting that a strict society in combination with a dark mystery is enough to persuade even the most rational citizen in to investigating the dark side of society. Additionally, one can make a claim that Mr. Utterson follows Hyde at night specifically, where there are no