Robert Louis Stevenson’s notorious novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is a narrative about the duality of human nature. It has become a cultural phenomenon, known even to those who have never read the book nor seen any of the adaptations. On the surface, the work seems to explore the struggle of good versus evil that occurs within every man. But, looking at the narrative from a slightly different perspective, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde can be read as a story of addiction, though it may not be immediately apparent. This paper will explore how Stevenson’s novella highlights the physical, psychological, and societal effects of addiction. Thus, the story serves as an attempt to elucidate, understand, and ultimately
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Weight loss is a common occurrence and Jekyll, as Hyde, undergoes dramatic loss of weight and “look[s] deadly sick” (24). As time passes and Jekyll’s addiction worsens, it is noted that “rosy [Jekyll] had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away…he was visibly balder and older” (28-29). Addiction can lead to accelerated aging and many drugs cause flushing of the skin, explaining Jekyll’s perpetual paleness. There are also several mentions of deformity regarding Jekyll and Hyde. In one instance Hyde “gives a strong feeling of deformity” although the observer “couldn’t specify the point” (9), and later the figure of Hyde gives off a “haunting sense of unexpressed deformity” (23). Ultimately, Hyde looks “hardly human” and “troglodytic” (16). Drug addiction can often lead to physical decay which can lead an addict to behave and carry themselves in an irregular almost deformed manner way. Furthermore, the physical transformations that occur make them appear degraded and brutish, making the term ‘troglodyte’ very appropriate. Thus, the physical alterations in Jekyll are changes thoroughly associated with extended drug …show more content…
For instance, Jekyll assures his friends that “the moment [he] choose[s]… [he] can be rid of Mr. Hyde” (19), which strongly echoes the sentiment of a drug user who insists that he can quit whenever he wants (though he cannot). Likewise, Dr. Lanyon notes that Jekyll was approaching “hysteria” (49), which is consistent with the anxiety and panic attacks that are associated with substance abuse. Substance abuse is also linked with depression, and given that Jekyll “shudder[s] and weep[s] in [his] chair” (66) often; he likely suffers from depression as well. There is also a proposed link between drug abuse and violent behavior and we clearly see that Jekyll struggles with this. Early in the novel, Jekyll (as Hyde) brutally tramples a young girl as he dashes through the street (7), and later in the novella he brutally murders a man (20-21). Dr. Lanyon highlights the psychological effects of drug abuse and wrongly surmises that Jekyll is “dealing with a case of cerebral disease” (47). Though his assessment of the problem is incorrect, Lanyon’s observation reinforces the psychological elements of substance
Weight loss is a common occurrence and Jekyll, as Hyde, undergoes dramatic loss of weight and “look[s] deadly sick” (24). As time passes and Jekyll’s addiction worsens, it is noted that “rosy [Jekyll] had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away…he was visibly balder and older” (28-29). Addiction can lead to accelerated aging and many drugs cause flushing of the skin, explaining Jekyll’s perpetual paleness. There are also several mentions of deformity regarding Jekyll and Hyde. In one instance Hyde “gives a strong feeling of deformity” although the observer “couldn’t specify the point” (9), and later the figure of Hyde gives off a “haunting sense of unexpressed deformity” (23). Ultimately, Hyde looks “hardly human” and “troglodytic” (16). Drug addiction can often lead to physical decay which can lead an addict to behave and carry themselves in an irregular almost deformed manner way. Furthermore, the physical transformations that occur make them appear degraded and brutish, making the term ‘troglodyte’ very appropriate. Thus, the physical alterations in Jekyll are changes thoroughly associated with extended drug …show more content…
For instance, Jekyll assures his friends that “the moment [he] choose[s]… [he] can be rid of Mr. Hyde” (19), which strongly echoes the sentiment of a drug user who insists that he can quit whenever he wants (though he cannot). Likewise, Dr. Lanyon notes that Jekyll was approaching “hysteria” (49), which is consistent with the anxiety and panic attacks that are associated with substance abuse. Substance abuse is also linked with depression, and given that Jekyll “shudder[s] and weep[s] in [his] chair” (66) often; he likely suffers from depression as well. There is also a proposed link between drug abuse and violent behavior and we clearly see that Jekyll struggles with this. Early in the novel, Jekyll (as Hyde) brutally tramples a young girl as he dashes through the street (7), and later in the novella he brutally murders a man (20-21). Dr. Lanyon highlights the psychological effects of drug abuse and wrongly surmises that Jekyll is “dealing with a case of cerebral disease” (47). Though his assessment of the problem is incorrect, Lanyon’s observation reinforces the psychological elements of substance