Zack Curtis
Dr. Swenson
English 1212: British Literature II
April 4, 2016
Split Reality
Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, depicts the constant struggle between virtue and desire with a man by the name of Dr. Jekyll, and his counterpart, Mr. Hyde. The story of these two sides of the same coin shed light on the internal battle between right and wrong. While Dr. Jekyll represents the acceptable, lighter side of humanity, Hyde portrays the selfish side with no concern for any consequence of his actions. Dr. Jekyll is the crème of the crop for his time; he is tall, well-educated, respected, and a man of class. He lives a life of luxury in his nice house full of servants. To everyone that knew of him, Jekyll …show more content…
Jekyll recognizes he is struggling in his fight between what he knows is right, and his immoral desires. To relieve his stress, Jekyll creates a concoction that isolates what he is supposed to do his desires by transforming him into an individual known as Mr. Hyde. To justify this choice, his case statement claims “… all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil” (Stevenson, 1711). Initially, Jekyll has total control over his new form, Mr. Hyde, transforming at his own will. As the frequency of becoming Hyde increases, so does Jekyll’s sinister nature until he is taking on the ugly form regularly. Jekyll stops caring about his decent side or communication with friends. This leads to Jekyll losing control over when Hyde’s appearances occur. This metaphor alludes to the strength of the grip vices have on people. After Sir Danvers Carew is murdered, Jekyll is forced to question of morals. Jekyll acknowledges that he must stop becoming Hyde before there is no going back. To stop Hyde from …show more content…
Jane is prohibited from being herself as she struggles from the very beginning of the novel against her passions and anger. She is expected to be a composed and lady like, despite the abuse she endures. Jane begins to believe who she is as an individual might be an immoral person. She validates these suspicions by saying “All said I was wicked and perhaps I might be so” (Bronte, 16). When Jane goes to school, she decides to take after a girl named Helen and feel good about herself. This is an effort to become the ideal woman. In her personal life, however, Jane makes clear she would still rather be herself than put on this front. Jane internalizes “I would always rather be happy than dignified” (Bronte, 382). Bronte used the dual identities in combination with other character personalities to shed light on the hidden desires of women. Bertha is essentially the embodiment of this secret side of
Dr. Swenson
English 1212: British Literature II
April 4, 2016
Split Reality
Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, depicts the constant struggle between virtue and desire with a man by the name of Dr. Jekyll, and his counterpart, Mr. Hyde. The story of these two sides of the same coin shed light on the internal battle between right and wrong. While Dr. Jekyll represents the acceptable, lighter side of humanity, Hyde portrays the selfish side with no concern for any consequence of his actions. Dr. Jekyll is the crème of the crop for his time; he is tall, well-educated, respected, and a man of class. He lives a life of luxury in his nice house full of servants. To everyone that knew of him, Jekyll …show more content…
Jekyll recognizes he is struggling in his fight between what he knows is right, and his immoral desires. To relieve his stress, Jekyll creates a concoction that isolates what he is supposed to do his desires by transforming him into an individual known as Mr. Hyde. To justify this choice, his case statement claims “… all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil” (Stevenson, 1711). Initially, Jekyll has total control over his new form, Mr. Hyde, transforming at his own will. As the frequency of becoming Hyde increases, so does Jekyll’s sinister nature until he is taking on the ugly form regularly. Jekyll stops caring about his decent side or communication with friends. This leads to Jekyll losing control over when Hyde’s appearances occur. This metaphor alludes to the strength of the grip vices have on people. After Sir Danvers Carew is murdered, Jekyll is forced to question of morals. Jekyll acknowledges that he must stop becoming Hyde before there is no going back. To stop Hyde from …show more content…
Jane is prohibited from being herself as she struggles from the very beginning of the novel against her passions and anger. She is expected to be a composed and lady like, despite the abuse she endures. Jane begins to believe who she is as an individual might be an immoral person. She validates these suspicions by saying “All said I was wicked and perhaps I might be so” (Bronte, 16). When Jane goes to school, she decides to take after a girl named Helen and feel good about herself. This is an effort to become the ideal woman. In her personal life, however, Jane makes clear she would still rather be herself than put on this front. Jane internalizes “I would always rather be happy than dignified” (Bronte, 382). Bronte used the dual identities in combination with other character personalities to shed light on the hidden desires of women. Bertha is essentially the embodiment of this secret side of