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The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
19th Century Novel
Overview
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a gothic novella about a respected doctor, Henry Jekyll, who creates a potion that transforms him into the evil Edward Hyde. As Jekyll loses control over his transformations, the story explores the duality of human nature and the dangers of suppressing one's darker impulses.
Plot Summary
- 1Mr Utterson investigates the connection between Dr Jekyll and the mysterious Mr Hyde
- 2Hyde tramples a child and murders Sir Danvers Carew
- 3Jekyll appears to be blackmailed by Hyde and disappears from society
- 4Jekyll's servant finds Hyde's body wearing Jekyll's clothes
- 5Jekyll's confession reveals he created Hyde through scientific experimentation
- 6Unable to control his transformations, Jekyll/Hyde takes his own life
Key Themes
- •Duality of human nature
- •Repression and Victorian morality
- •Science and the dangers of unchecked experimentation
- •Reputation and respectability
- •Good versus evil within a single person
- •The limits of human knowledge and control
Main Characters
- Dr Henry Jekyll: Respected scientist who creates his evil alter ego
- Mr Edward Hyde: Jekyll's evil persona, described as deformed and sinister
- Mr Gabriel Utterson: Jekyll's lawyer friend who investigates the mystery
- Dr Hastie Lanyon: Jekyll's former friend who witnesses a transformation
- Mr Poole: Jekyll's loyal butler
- Sir Danvers Carew: Member of Parliament murdered by Hyde
Historical & Literary Context
- Written in 1886 during the late Victorian period
- Reflects Victorian anxieties about science, morality, and social change
- Set in respectable areas of London with a sinister underbelly
- Influenced by contemporary ideas about evolution and human nature
- Explores the rigid moral codes and hypocrisy of Victorian society
Exam Relevance & Tips
- Analyze how Stevenson presents the theme of duality through symbolism and setting
- Examine the novella's structure and use of multiple narrators
- Discuss how Jekyll and Hyde represent Victorian anxieties about human nature
- Consider the role of science and its moral implications
- Explore how physical appearance reflects inner character
Why This Matters
Jekyll and Hyde has become a cultural touchstone for discussing the dual nature of humanity. Its exploration of how respectable people may harbor dark impulses remains psychologically astute, while its warnings about the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition resonate in our modern technological age.