Similarities Between Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde
The Victorian Era (1837 – 1901) marked a period of great transition in many aspects of human life. It was an age that was characterized by rapid change and development in nearly every sphere – from advances in medial, scientific, and technological knowledge to changes in population growth, location, and religion. Over time, this rapid transformation deeply affected the country’s mood; an age that began with a confidence and optimism leading to economic growth and prosperity eventually gave way to uncertainty and doubt regarding Britain’s place in the world.
Much of the social and economic changes in the Victorian Era influenced the literature of the time, and Victorian literature formed the link between the writers of the Romantic period and the very different literature of the 20th Century. Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde were among many of the significant Victorian novelists and poets. The Victorian era was an important time for the development of science and the Victorians had a mission to describe and classify the entire natural world. While writers such as Charles Darwin strived to understand the philosophy of life and origin of humans, writers such as …show more content…
Stevenson and Wilde were pioneers of the mysterious fantastic literature that emerged in this age which dealt primarily with the supernatural.
The themes explored in ““Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” are inextricably linked with the uncertainty and doubt that plagued the latter period of the Victorian Era. In particular, the notion that there are dual sides to human nature apparent in both novels addresses the original, more authentic nature of man that has been repressed but not destroyed by the accumulated weight of civilization, conscience, and societal norms. This consequence of the huge advances in every respect of English society in the Victorian era is dramatically enlarged in Steven’s Jekyll-Hyde character, where Jekyll is a renowned doctor and Hyde is a complete monster, and symbolically portrayed in Wilde’s character of Dorian Gray, where his admission of vice and sins is shown progressively through alterations of the
painting.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde –
Hyde is described as resembling a “troglodyte”, or a primitive creature; perhaps Hyde is actually the original, authentic nature of man in this novel. The novel also suggests that man may not have two natures but rather a single, primitive, amoral one that remains just barely constrained by the bonds of civilization. Moreover, the novel suggests that once those bonds are broken, it becomes impossible to reestablish them; the primitive side of man cannot be repressed again, and eventually Hyde will permanently replace Jekyll—as he finally does. Even in Victorian England—which considered itself the height of Western civilization—Stevenson suggests that the dark, instinctual side of man remains strong enough to devour anyone who, like Jekyll, proves foolish enough to unleash it.
However, if Hyde were simply an animal, the fact that he takes extreme delight in crime would suggest a more evil element in his character, for he seems to commit violent acts against innocents for no reason except for the joy of it, which is something that no animal would do. He appears to be deliberately immoral rather than amoral, and he knows the moral law and thrives in his breach of it. For an animalistic creature, furthermore, Hyde seems oddly familiar with the urban landscape. This possibly suggests that civilization, too, has its dark side.
Utterson represents the perfect Victorian gentleman; he is the epitome of Victorian norms.
The duality of human nature and detrimental consequences of civilization is also shown through the gothic elements used in both novels.
Much of the social and economic changes in the Victorian Era influenced the literature of the time, and Victorian literature formed the link between the writers of the Romantic period and the very different literature of the 20th Century. Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde were among many of the significant Victorian novelists and poets. The Victorian era was an important time for the development of science and the Victorians had a mission to describe and classify the entire natural world. While writers such as Charles Darwin strived to understand the philosophy of life and origin of humans, writers such as …show more content…
Stevenson and Wilde were pioneers of the mysterious fantastic literature that emerged in this age which dealt primarily with the supernatural.
The themes explored in ““Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” are inextricably linked with the uncertainty and doubt that plagued the latter period of the Victorian Era. In particular, the notion that there are dual sides to human nature apparent in both novels addresses the original, more authentic nature of man that has been repressed but not destroyed by the accumulated weight of civilization, conscience, and societal norms. This consequence of the huge advances in every respect of English society in the Victorian era is dramatically enlarged in Steven’s Jekyll-Hyde character, where Jekyll is a renowned doctor and Hyde is a complete monster, and symbolically portrayed in Wilde’s character of Dorian Gray, where his admission of vice and sins is shown progressively through alterations of the
painting.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde –
Hyde is described as resembling a “troglodyte”, or a primitive creature; perhaps Hyde is actually the original, authentic nature of man in this novel. The novel also suggests that man may not have two natures but rather a single, primitive, amoral one that remains just barely constrained by the bonds of civilization. Moreover, the novel suggests that once those bonds are broken, it becomes impossible to reestablish them; the primitive side of man cannot be repressed again, and eventually Hyde will permanently replace Jekyll—as he finally does. Even in Victorian England—which considered itself the height of Western civilization—Stevenson suggests that the dark, instinctual side of man remains strong enough to devour anyone who, like Jekyll, proves foolish enough to unleash it.
However, if Hyde were simply an animal, the fact that he takes extreme delight in crime would suggest a more evil element in his character, for he seems to commit violent acts against innocents for no reason except for the joy of it, which is something that no animal would do. He appears to be deliberately immoral rather than amoral, and he knows the moral law and thrives in his breach of it. For an animalistic creature, furthermore, Hyde seems oddly familiar with the urban landscape. This possibly suggests that civilization, too, has its dark side.
Utterson represents the perfect Victorian gentleman; he is the epitome of Victorian norms.
The duality of human nature and detrimental consequences of civilization is also shown through the gothic elements used in both novels.