Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde essays

In this essay I will be discussing aspects of Robert Louis Stevenson's, "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" that make it a horror story, whilst showing an awareness of what was happening in Victorian England at time the novel was first written and published. Victorians were often concerned with the concept of a 'double self' or 'twin', often referred to as a Doppelganger. This is relevant to the novel with the theme of metamorphosis and the fact…...

Assignment: It is suggested that the text the strange case of dr jekyll and mr hyde is preoccupied with the theme of the divided self. Referring to structure, character and plot, analyse the way in which stevenson has conveyed the sense of division in this text. In The strange case of doctor jekyll and mr hyde, R. L. Stevenson describes London during the nineteenth century. In that time the society was divided into distinct social classes and their corresponding communuties.…...

He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn’t specify the point. He’s an extraordinary-looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way. No, sir; I can make no hand of it; I can’t describe him. And it’s…...

Dr Jekyll cannot be considered for Mr Hyde's crimes. Dr Jekyll has kept Mr Hyde inside himself for a very long, time and it was his decision to let him out. Mr Hyde does the things that Dr Jekyll would like to do but he doesn't because they are not allowed in the Victorian times. Mr Hyde is the evil inside of Dr Jekyll. When Mr Hyde comes out he does what Dr Jekyll is telling him to do, he…...

First published in 1886, ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ was an immediate success and one of author Robert Louis Stevenson’s bestselling novels. It is a classic example of Gothic fiction and even though it may be seen as just a horror story, with accounts of violent murders and a disturbing, scientific experiment gone wrong, the book also explains the suppression of the Victorian society. Furthermore, Stevenson brought out further ideas of human psychology during the Victorian…...

When Stevenson wrote the novella 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' he seemed to have been influenced by various ideas. The first goes all the way back to an ancient Greek philosopher 'Plato'. His theory of dualism was imaged as two horses clashing with one another. He believed that every human being was a charioteer trying to keep them balanced and in control. One horse being black representing the animal demonic side; this is the side being harder to control and…...

'Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson set in Victorian London and written in 1886. It can be said that Stevenson took ideas directly from his own experiences when creating the plot, as many aspects of the novella can be compared directly to his life. Stevenson grew up in Edinburgh, which had the same dramatic contrast between the rich and the poor sides as the London in which 'Jekyll and Hyde' is set and it…...

The idea of duality, in this case, of people displaying duality of character, being "two faced", of showing contrasting sides to a person, was of much interest to people in the late 19th century, due to the way it reflected upon their society, and was a key concept of Gothic literature written at the time. In this essay, I shall see how Stevenson explores this, the techniques and methods he uses, and the way in which he shows us how…...

In this essay I am going to be exploring how Stevenson examines Victorian hypocrisy and human nature, the duality of man, in his famous tale, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His novella, written in 1886, was set in London, and is described as a gothic horror. Stevenson uses Mr Utterson, a 'modest' lawyer, to guide us through the novella, unravelling to the mystery gradually throughout the novella. By revealing a few clues at a time, many…...

The famous Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and has remained popular ever since its publication in 1886. Robert was born in 1850 and was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was brought up a calvalist, however followed the bohemian life style. He married Mrs. Fanny Osbourne in 1880 and supported Priest Dameor who cared for the lepers. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a rich tale of the duality of mankind and how we are…...

In the book Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the two main characters are complete opposites. Dr Jekyll is a kind individual however when he becomes Mr Hyde his attitude changes into a nasty, evil individual. R.L Stevenson brings on the 'opposites' through the book keeping the readers thinking. The 2 doors to Jekyll's house appear to be complete opposites. One is shoddy and in a dark corner of a building which is referred to as a 'ominous block'. By saying…...

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a Horror story written by Robert Louis Stevenson. The novella explores the divided nature of human personality and Victorian society by telling the story of a respectable gentleman named Dr Jekyll, who devolves into a beast by the name of Mr Hyde. The dominant theme of the novella is the theme of the double. Stevenson explores this in many different ways throughout the novella. Some of the characters in the…...

The novel of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. Robert Louis Stevenson was a man who grew up in Edinburgh; this was a known as a city with two sides. As a student he led a double life. This is a bit like Dr Jekyll throughout the novel. Robert Louis Stevenson was influenced by true crime stories in Edinburgh, one of these was William `Deacon `Brodie, who was a respected craftsman by day…...

'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' is a classic horror novel written by R. L. Stevenson. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1850. He grew up in Edinburgh which had two very different faces: the prosperous, middle-class new town and the 'old black city' with its poverty, disease and over crowding. This can be compared to the novel because of the duality of nature between Jekyll and Hyde. The novel would have had a different impact upon its original readers…...

" In each of us, two natures are at war- the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them one must conquer. But in our own hands lies the power to choose- What we want most to be we are" (Robert Louis Stevenson. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 1885) Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Born in 1850 into a middle class family in Edinburgh, Robert Louis Stevenson's Father expected his son to follow in the…...

In terms of this book, I think that it's difficult for me to place Jekyll as a complete sinner or a complete sufferer due to the varying influences of the other characters, the society of the time and the drug that Jekyll uses. My opinion of him tends to fluctuate throughout the book. Certainly, some of the language used by Stevenson can be rather grotesque at times and at others, heart wrenching. As the storyline progresses, the reader becomes more…...

Dr. Henry Jekyll was born into an age of respectability, religion, and morality. The Victorians believed in "progress", self discipline and strict, stern morality. Writers like Samuel Smiles wrote about "Self Help". The Victorian age was one of polarisation of the lifestyle of the people. There were always two kinds of people, the respectable Jekylls and the destructive and filthy Hydes. "Pleasures" like prostitution and gambling, were frowned on by all of high society. Even so, many respectable people indulged…...

"...the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask." How successful is concealment in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Jekyll and Hyde is a novel which addresses the drug usage that went on behind closed doors in 1890's Britain. Also much of the book id based on some of Stevenson's own experience's of drug use because from very early childhood Stevenson was on a strict regime of drugs to deal with various aliments. Throughout the novel concealment is…...

'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is not just the story of a brilliant but flawed man who succumbs to temptation, it is also the story of a man who is a victim of his own society and culture.' In 'The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' it seems that an upstanding gentleman is pressured by his society and own endeavours into ultimately separating the apparent bodies of good and evil. However the cause of…...

In both Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde human nature is being tampered with. Dr. Jekyll creates a potion which changes himself into another person, and Frankenstein creates human life through science. In both cases they tried to change human nature from going outside the norm. Although they both intended for good the outcome was bad. So with good comes the capacity to do evil. While at the same time every person has a duel persona. The idea that…...

Each individual has a little evilness deep down inside of them, whether one would like to admit it or not. One critic states that, “Mr. Stevenson’s idea, his secret (but a very open secret) is that of the double personality in every man” (Lang). Dr. Jekyll finds out that a man can be one person, but have two totally different identities. One could say that Mr. Hyde would be like Dr. Jekyll’s shadow (Stevenson). There is a problem with having…...

The purpose of my essay is to compare and contrast the novel titled Fight Club, written by Chuck Palahniuk, and the story, dated back to the Victorian age, known as The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson. I will compare these two works by evaluating how these two authors represent the theme of dual/split personalities within a specific character found in within each of their respective stories. Each author portrays the idea of…...

Although Utterson witnesses a series of shocking events, the character is presented as an unenthusiastic and pessimistic Victorian man, and is evident from the very first page of the novel. The text notes that Utterson has a face that is ‘never lighted by a smile’ and only speaks when necessary. In addition Stevenson describes Utterson as ‘dusty and dreary’ and ‘yet somehow lovable,’ which is noticeable in the close relationships he has with his friends. His strong relationships with his…...

‘Explore how Stevenson creates a sense of intrigue and engages the reader’s interest in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.’ The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. This book is a classic and has been very successful; therefore it has been turned into several films and theatre productions. The book seizes the reader’s attention and gets straight into drama and action, making it hard to put down. This well thought out…...

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson was first published in 1886. This book revolves around the socially elite Mr. Utterson, a well-respected lawyer, bachelor and loyal friend. Readers follow his quest in solving the mystery of Mr. Hyde’s dastardly deeds and Dr. Jekyll’s involvement, willing or not. Set in the late 1800’s, Victorian London often shrouded in fog, Stevenson has created a perfect setting that provides a unique opportunity to create suspense, contrast,…...

The duality of mankind, or the belief that the human mind is made up of a good and evil part, has always been a matter of great interest for many philosophers, psychologists and writers. Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr.Hyde is a unavoidable classic on the subject; for its portrayal of both nature in the persons of Hyde and Jekyll is efficiently drawn in the symbolic descriptions, and the significant critic that is made through the novel, which is…...