Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, though they seem to have different natures, are essentially the same person. Jekyll explains that good and evil are twins trapped in one body, and they are in a constant struggle against each other (Stevenson 64). Although these twins are always battling each other for control, both are crucial elements of a person. Therefore, the presence of both good and evil are necessary to create the personality of a human being. Patricia Ferrer-Medina emphasises that their personal tastes and behavior do not actually changed since both Jekyll and Hyde enjoy luxurious items and have a charming way of talking (10). Even though the two have opposite views on life, the original personality remains the same. Their motives are similar
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Hyde is not only a physical representation of the evil hiding Dr. Jekyll, but he is also a symbol of the evil hiding within all humans. In the story, Utterson made a pun about Mr. Hyde: “ ‘If he be Mr. Hyde,’ he had thought, ‘I shall be Mr. Seek’ ” (Stevenson 15). Although this is clever word play, it also indicates that the name Hyde had a deeper meaning. The name implies that evil hides within the soul. This is further supported in the scene when Utterson and Poole “looked [in the mirror] with an involuntary horror” (Stevenson 52). Mirrors are able to reflect one’s true appearance back to its viewer; thus, they are afraid of seeing their reflections because they are scared of the possibility that evil will be staring back at them. Harriet Hustis explains that the “unseen and unintended” side of a person’s personality shows that person’s true self (4). The unpleasant thoughts and actions of a person are often hidden away from the public eye; nonetheless, this side is still a part of one’s true …show more content…
Mark De Cicco stresses, “In this Gothic world, there is a Hyde lurking within every Victorian gentleman” (7). All of the characters face some temptation of evil. For example, Utterson wonders, “almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in [his clients’] misdeeds” (Stevenson 5). Although he enjoys investigating the wrongdoings of others, Utterson cannot help but ponder about what it would be like to try them himself. Though this does not mean that he will commit those acts, the temptation still exists and lingers over Utterson. Mr. Enfield and Sawbones the doctor also experience a temptation of evil when they felt a “ ‘desire to kill’ ” Hyde, but since that was “ ‘out of the question,’ ” they tried to ruin him instead (Stevenson 8). Both of these actions have malicious intentions, and they are meant to inflict harm on Mr. Hyde. Although the two of them decide against killing Hyde because it is prohibited by society, they still give into their evil desires to hurt another. Another example of the temptation of evil is depicted through the joy Hyde’s maid with an “evil face” felt when she heard that Hyde was in trouble with the law (Stevenson 27). The evil face suggests that the maid has been seduced by temptations in the past, and taking pleasure in the misfortune of others is another sin that she commits. These examples show that evil is not just limited to one person; instead, it is in
Hyde is not only a physical representation of the evil hiding Dr. Jekyll, but he is also a symbol of the evil hiding within all humans. In the story, Utterson made a pun about Mr. Hyde: “ ‘If he be Mr. Hyde,’ he had thought, ‘I shall be Mr. Seek’ ” (Stevenson 15). Although this is clever word play, it also indicates that the name Hyde had a deeper meaning. The name implies that evil hides within the soul. This is further supported in the scene when Utterson and Poole “looked [in the mirror] with an involuntary horror” (Stevenson 52). Mirrors are able to reflect one’s true appearance back to its viewer; thus, they are afraid of seeing their reflections because they are scared of the possibility that evil will be staring back at them. Harriet Hustis explains that the “unseen and unintended” side of a person’s personality shows that person’s true self (4). The unpleasant thoughts and actions of a person are often hidden away from the public eye; nonetheless, this side is still a part of one’s true …show more content…
Mark De Cicco stresses, “In this Gothic world, there is a Hyde lurking within every Victorian gentleman” (7). All of the characters face some temptation of evil. For example, Utterson wonders, “almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in [his clients’] misdeeds” (Stevenson 5). Although he enjoys investigating the wrongdoings of others, Utterson cannot help but ponder about what it would be like to try them himself. Though this does not mean that he will commit those acts, the temptation still exists and lingers over Utterson. Mr. Enfield and Sawbones the doctor also experience a temptation of evil when they felt a “ ‘desire to kill’ ” Hyde, but since that was “ ‘out of the question,’ ” they tried to ruin him instead (Stevenson 8). Both of these actions have malicious intentions, and they are meant to inflict harm on Mr. Hyde. Although the two of them decide against killing Hyde because it is prohibited by society, they still give into their evil desires to hurt another. Another example of the temptation of evil is depicted through the joy Hyde’s maid with an “evil face” felt when she heard that Hyde was in trouble with the law (Stevenson 27). The evil face suggests that the maid has been seduced by temptations in the past, and taking pleasure in the misfortune of others is another sin that she commits. These examples show that evil is not just limited to one person; instead, it is in