Throughout the history authors have wanted to depict the social and political conditions of their time. They have criticized it, agreed with it and generally wanted to voice their opinions on the conditions they live in. However, in what way does different authors depict social conditions of their time and how well do they get their message through?
Oliver Twist is a novel written by Charles Dickens and published in 1837 during the Victorian era. The novel was specifically written to shine light on the poorest part of the community and how they were treated. The novel was met with criticism, but it also captured millions of readers hearts and contributed to improving general conditions during the Victorian period (Burgess & Sørhus, p. 203). …show more content…
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886, also during the Victorian era. The novella explores the duality of the Victorian period, the differences in social economic status among the people and the contradictions with the strict sexual morality and pornography, prostitution and the rise in sexually motivated crimes. The novella was terrifying and struck a chord with the readers of the time, yet it still continues to shock today (Burgess & Sørhus, p. 213) .
In the novel, the reader meets Dr. Jekyll, a doctor who develops a drug that separated the evil in him into a separate being. This being is referred to as Mr. Hyde. He believes that by doing so Dr. Jekyll himself will become morally improved, however he finds himself using the drug to escape into a world as Mr. Hyde where he can enjoy pleasures he previously would not have allowed himself to enjoy. After a while, Mr. Hyde becomes uncontrollable as he manifests himself to Dr. Jekyll without the help of the drug. Realizing that there is no way to keep Mr. Hyde under control and away from completely taking over his body, Dr. Jekyll commits suicide when he transfigures into Mr. Hyde the last time (Burgess & Sørhus, p. …show more content…
It’s also a reflection of the Victorian era in itself, with the contradictions in morality. Dr. Jekyll is fascinated by the fact that humans have both a clear good and evil within themselves. He wants to isolate these two parts and thus he develops the drug that leads to the creation of Mr. Hyde. One can make the conclusion that Stevenson wanted to portray the dangers of isolating oneself from all pleasures; Dr. Jekyll goes mad from wanting to live out all his forbidden pleasures and fantasies. This can also be seen in the morals of society at the time, they only consisted of opposite extremes. The society was characterized by strict sexual morality and family values, yet because of this prostitution and pornography flourished (Burgess & Sørhus, p.
Oliver Twist is a novel written by Charles Dickens and published in 1837 during the Victorian era. The novel was specifically written to shine light on the poorest part of the community and how they were treated. The novel was met with criticism, but it also captured millions of readers hearts and contributed to improving general conditions during the Victorian period (Burgess & Sørhus, p. 203). …show more content…
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886, also during the Victorian era. The novella explores the duality of the Victorian period, the differences in social economic status among the people and the contradictions with the strict sexual morality and pornography, prostitution and the rise in sexually motivated crimes. The novella was terrifying and struck a chord with the readers of the time, yet it still continues to shock today (Burgess & Sørhus, p. 213) .
In the novel, the reader meets Dr. Jekyll, a doctor who develops a drug that separated the evil in him into a separate being. This being is referred to as Mr. Hyde. He believes that by doing so Dr. Jekyll himself will become morally improved, however he finds himself using the drug to escape into a world as Mr. Hyde where he can enjoy pleasures he previously would not have allowed himself to enjoy. After a while, Mr. Hyde becomes uncontrollable as he manifests himself to Dr. Jekyll without the help of the drug. Realizing that there is no way to keep Mr. Hyde under control and away from completely taking over his body, Dr. Jekyll commits suicide when he transfigures into Mr. Hyde the last time (Burgess & Sørhus, p. …show more content…
It’s also a reflection of the Victorian era in itself, with the contradictions in morality. Dr. Jekyll is fascinated by the fact that humans have both a clear good and evil within themselves. He wants to isolate these two parts and thus he develops the drug that leads to the creation of Mr. Hyde. One can make the conclusion that Stevenson wanted to portray the dangers of isolating oneself from all pleasures; Dr. Jekyll goes mad from wanting to live out all his forbidden pleasures and fantasies. This can also be seen in the morals of society at the time, they only consisted of opposite extremes. The society was characterized by strict sexual morality and family values, yet because of this prostitution and pornography flourished (Burgess & Sørhus, p.