Social Standards In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde
For thousands of years, the beliefs and standards of societies shape individuals. In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the effects of society on individuals is a prevalent theme. The Victorian society upholds individuals to have a sensible reputation and professional work life. Throughout this novel, the societal standards fuel Jekyll’s internal conflict and influence the repression of Hyde.
The societal standards are recognizable from the beginning of this novel. In the Victorian era, the businessmen must maintain adequate lifestyles. Many men, including Dr. Jekyll, host dinner parties; the doctor “gave one of his pleasant dinners to some five or six cronies, all intelligent, reputable men” (Stevenson 23). Jekyll’s dinner events are common and display the traditions that this society upholds. Throughout the novel, while Jekyll’s internal struggles escalate, he cuts himself off from his friends. As a result, his …show more content…
fellow businessmen become suspicious of his relationship with Hyde. However, when Hyde disappears, Jekyll “came out of seclusion [and] renewed relations with his friends” (Stevenson 35). The approval preceding Hyde’s “disappearance” further increases Jekyll’s internal conflict of moral versus wicked. Jekyll feels that he must remain superior to uphold his trusty reputation.
Additionally, the effects of society influences Jekyll to repress his evil alter ego, Hyde.
Due to the pressure of society’s high standards, Jekyll wishes others to perceive him as a man he is not. In chapter 10, Jekyll writes “[m]any a man would have even blazoned such irregularities as I was guilty of; but from the high views that I had set before me, I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame” (Stevenson 59). Jekyll professes the high standards he lived by and how he successfully convinced others that he looked down on immoral people. However, by the end of his life, Jekyll realizes he is not at fault for his evil urges. Jekyll remarks “[it] was Hyde, after all, and Hyde alone, that was guilty” (Stevenson 64). Jekyll comes to the conclusion that his moral qualities outweighed Hyde’s evil actions. Jekyll firmly believes that he upheld his personal standards and the society’s proficient standards. Jekyll’s repression of Hyde led to his death; however, Jekyll remarks that his respectable side
prevailed. Society effects an individual tremendously. In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, this recurring theme alters the novel and shapes the plot. These standards stimulate Jekyll’s internal conflict and influence Jekyll to repress his vice, Hyde. Overall, strict societal standards influence individuals to disguise his or her true selves, resulting in destruction.
The societal standards are recognizable from the beginning of this novel. In the Victorian era, the businessmen must maintain adequate lifestyles. Many men, including Dr. Jekyll, host dinner parties; the doctor “gave one of his pleasant dinners to some five or six cronies, all intelligent, reputable men” (Stevenson 23). Jekyll’s dinner events are common and display the traditions that this society upholds. Throughout the novel, while Jekyll’s internal struggles escalate, he cuts himself off from his friends. As a result, his …show more content…
fellow businessmen become suspicious of his relationship with Hyde. However, when Hyde disappears, Jekyll “came out of seclusion [and] renewed relations with his friends” (Stevenson 35). The approval preceding Hyde’s “disappearance” further increases Jekyll’s internal conflict of moral versus wicked. Jekyll feels that he must remain superior to uphold his trusty reputation.
Additionally, the effects of society influences Jekyll to repress his evil alter ego, Hyde.
Due to the pressure of society’s high standards, Jekyll wishes others to perceive him as a man he is not. In chapter 10, Jekyll writes “[m]any a man would have even blazoned such irregularities as I was guilty of; but from the high views that I had set before me, I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame” (Stevenson 59). Jekyll professes the high standards he lived by and how he successfully convinced others that he looked down on immoral people. However, by the end of his life, Jekyll realizes he is not at fault for his evil urges. Jekyll remarks “[it] was Hyde, after all, and Hyde alone, that was guilty” (Stevenson 64). Jekyll comes to the conclusion that his moral qualities outweighed Hyde’s evil actions. Jekyll firmly believes that he upheld his personal standards and the society’s proficient standards. Jekyll’s repression of Hyde led to his death; however, Jekyll remarks that his respectable side
prevailed. Society effects an individual tremendously. In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, this recurring theme alters the novel and shapes the plot. These standards stimulate Jekyll’s internal conflict and influence Jekyll to repress his vice, Hyde. Overall, strict societal standards influence individuals to disguise his or her true selves, resulting in destruction.