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Victorian society, wrapped in the cocoon of respectability, religion, and morality, was a stage where the grand theater of life unfolded with its polarized characters, the esteemed Jekylls, and the shadowy Hydes. This exploration will delve deeper into the intricate layers of Victorian life and explores how this societal dichotomy gave birth to the compelling narrative of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The Victorian era, a tapestry woven with threads of progress, self-discipline, and stern morality, presented a paradoxical reality.
The societal structure was rigid, featuring the affluent middle and upper classes who reveled in the nation's wealth, juxtaposed against the lower classes grappling with abysmal living conditions. This stark dichotomy, a hallmark of the Victorian age, intrigued writers like Robert Louis Stevenson, whose personal experiences as a "slum adventurer" fueled his exploration of society's extremes.
Dr. Henry Jekyll, occupying a lofty position in Victorian society, harbored a rebellious spirit yearning to break free.
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The constraints imposed by his social standing pushed him to the edge, prompting the creation of Mr. Hyde. This alter ego, a manifestation of Jekyll's suppressed desires, provided an outlet for rebellion without the fear of societal repercussions.
Mr. Utterson, a distinguished lawyer, stands as a counterpoint to Jekyll's rebellious nature. Though vicariously indulging in some pleasures, Utterson remains tethered to respectability. Dr. Lanyon, Jekyll's conventional friend, embodies the skepticism of the era, dismissing Jekyll's experimental pursuits as "unscientific balderdash."
Jekyll's desperation to assert his autonomy and fulfill his desires invites sympathy, as he resorts to the creation of Hyde, not fully aware of the consequences.
The addictive nature of Hyde and Jekyll's gradual loss of control over the transformation diminish our empathy, especially when Hyde perpetrates heinous acts such as trampling a girl and brutally murdering Sir Danvers Carew.
The ease with which Jekyll accepts Hyde's guilt and attempts to shift blame raises moral questions, casting a shadow on his character. However, moments of remorse, such as Jekyll going into hiding after Carew's murder, add a layer of complexity. His internal struggle, torn between the fear of the scaffold and the desire for personal freedom, paints a nuanced picture of a man grappling with his own creation.
Jekyll's contemplation of relieving pain by indulging in pleasures as himself unveils a more humane side. The horror of being Hyde becomes a driving force as he turns himself in, not out of fear of the gallows but to prevent further malevolence. This altruistic decision demands respect and invites contemplation on the nature of good and evil within a single individual.
It is important to acknowledge that Victorian society played a part in shaping Jekyll's tragic fate. While Jekyll is personally responsible, the societal intolerance towards indulgences and the consequent suppression may have accelerated the emergence of Hyde. In contrast to contemporary times, where efforts are made to help individuals with addictions, the Victorian society's expulsion approach is critiqued. Jekyll can be viewed as a victim of his time, deserving of sympathy amidst the intricate web of societal expectations and personal struggles.
Delving deeper into the Victorian ethos, it becomes evident that the veneer of respectability and morality was often a mask concealing the darker realities of the era. Samuel Smiles' writings on "Self Help" exemplify the prevalent hypocrisy, where high society frowned upon vices like prostitution and gambling while secretly engaging in these very activities. The stark contrast between public criticism and private indulgence highlights the duplicitous nature of the Victorians.
Even renowned figures like Dr. Barnardo found themselves briefly suspected in the infamous 1888 Ripper murders. The rigid social structure of the time accentuated the divide between the middle and upper classes, who wielded immense wealth, and the lower classes grappling with deplorable living conditions. Stevenson's fascination with this polarization, influenced by his father's strict Protestant Calvinist background, is palpable in his portrayal of extremes in society, echoing his own experiences as a "slum adventurer."
Dr. Henry Jekyll's position in Victorian society, though prestigious, was paradoxical. A rebellious spirit simmered within him, yearning for unrestricted autonomy. The societal constraints imposed by his elevated status compelled Jekyll to resort to creating Hyde—an alter ego allowing him to break free from the shackles of societal expectations. This internal conflict between societal conformity and personal desires forms the crux of Jekyll's character.
Mr. Utterson, a distinguished lawyer, serves as a foil to Jekyll's rebellious inclinations. While Utterson enjoys some pleasures vicariously, he refrains from indulging in them himself, exemplifying the disciplined restraint valued in Victorian society. Dr. Lanyon, Jekyll's friend, represents the conventional and skeptical side of the era, dismissing Jekyll's experimental pursuits as "unscientific balderdash." The contrasting characters embody the dichotomy prevalent in Victorian morality.
Jekyll's desperate pursuit of autonomy elicits sympathy initially, as he grapples with societal expectations. The creation of Hyde, an outlet for suppressed desires, underscores the complexity of his predicament. However, the addictive nature of Hyde and Jekyll's diminishing control over the transformation introduce moral ambiguity. Acts of brutality, such as trampling a girl and the murder of Sir Danvers Carew, shift the narrative, challenging the reader's sympathy for a character entangled in his own creation.
The ease with which Jekyll accepts Hyde's guilt and attempts to shift blame raises ethical questions. His internal turmoil, evident when he goes into hiding after Carew's murder, adds layers to the narrative. The fear of the scaffold and the desire for personal freedom create a moral battleground within Jekyll, showcasing the complexity of his character.
Jekyll's contemplation of finding solace in pleasures as himself unveils a more humane side of his character. The horror of being Hyde becomes a catalyst for an altruistic decision—turning himself in, not out of fear of the gallows but to prevent further malevolence. This selfless act challenges the perception of Jekyll as a mere victim, revealing the internal struggle between good and evil within him.
While Jekyll bears personal responsibility, the Victorian society's intolerance towards indulgences and the subsequent suppression of desires may have hastened the emergence of Hyde. In contrast to contemporary approaches of helping individuals with addictions, the Victorian expulsion mentality is scrutinized.
The Duality of Man: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (2017, Nov 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/dr-jekyll-is-a-victim-of-his-time-and-deserves-our-sympathy-do-you-agree-essay
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