Strange Case Of Jekyll And Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, published in 1886, remains a cornerstone of Victorian literature and a powerful exploration of the duality of human nature. While often simplified to a story about a good versus evil split personality, the novel delves much deeper into themes of repression, societal hypocrisy, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the story, its characters, and its enduring significance.

Plot Summary

The narrative unfolds primarily through the eyes of Mr. Utterson, a reputable and rational London lawyer. The story begins with Utterson's growing unease concerning a strange clause in the will of his respected friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll. The will stipulates that in the event of Dr. Jekyll's disappearance or death, all of his possessions should pass to a certain Mr. Edward Hyde. Utterson is troubled by this, especially after encountering unsettling reports of Hyde's violent and malevolent behavior.

The first specific instance of Hyde's brutality occurs when he brutally tramples a young girl. The case is brought to Utterson's attention, and he is further disturbed by Hyde's repulsive physical appearance and the palpable sense of evil he exudes. Utterson feels compelled to investigate this connection between the esteemed Dr. Jekyll and the abhorrent Mr. Hyde.

As Utterson delves deeper, he discovers a series of unsettling events. Sir Danvers Carew, a prominent member of Parliament and another acquaintance of Utterson, is brutally murdered, and a witness identifies Hyde as the perpetrator. The police investigation intensifies, but Hyde seems to vanish without a trace. Jekyll, initially cooperative and distressed by the news of the murder, subsequently withdraws from society and becomes increasingly reclusive.

Utterson, along with Dr. Lanyon, another longtime friend of Jekyll, attempts to break through Jekyll's isolation. However, Lanyon soon falls ill and dies shortly after receiving a mysterious letter from Jekyll. Before his death, Lanyon provides Utterson with a sealed envelope, to be opened only upon Jekyll's death or disappearance. The contents of this envelope further deepen the mystery surrounding Jekyll and Hyde.

The climax of the story occurs when Utterson and Jekyll's butler, Poole, become increasingly concerned about Jekyll's behavior and the strange sounds emanating from his laboratory. They break down the door and discover Hyde, dressed in Jekyll's clothes, dead from suicide. A confession, written by Jekyll, explains the horrifying truth.

Jekyll's Confession

Jekyll's confession reveals that he had long been fascinated by the duality of human nature – the constant struggle between good and evil within each individual. Driven by scientific curiosity and a desire to liberate his own darker impulses without consequence, Jekyll created a potion that he believed would separate the two sides of his personality.

Upon taking the potion, Jekyll transformed into Edward Hyde, a physically smaller, younger, and utterly amoral being. Hyde embodied all of Jekyll's repressed desires and darker inclinations. Initially, Jekyll could control the transformations, reverting back to his original self at will. However, as time went on, Hyde grew stronger and more difficult to control. The transformations began to occur spontaneously, even without the potion.

Jekyll found himself increasingly reliant on the potion to maintain his respectable facade. However, the more he indulged in Hyde's depravity, the more potent and uncontrollable Hyde became. The murder of Sir Danvers Carew marked a turning point, solidifying Hyde's inherent evil and ultimately leading to Jekyll's despair and self-destruction.

Jekyll's final struggle was to maintain control and prevent Hyde from permanently taking over. He ultimately realized that he could no longer create the original potion, suggesting that his experiments had somehow contaminated the necessary ingredients or that his own body chemistry had fundamentally changed. Faced with the inevitability of Hyde's dominance, Jekyll chose to end his life, thereby eliminating both himself and his monstrous creation.

Key Characters

Dr. Henry Jekyll

Dr. Jekyll is a respected and accomplished physician and scientist, known for his charitable works and intellectual pursuits. He represents the Victorian ideal of respectability and outward piety. However, beneath this facade lies a deep-seated desire to explore the darker aspects of human nature, a curiosity that ultimately leads to his downfall. He is driven by a desire to separate the good and evil aspects of his personality, believing he can control the results. This hubris is a central theme of the novel.

Mr. Edward Hyde

Hyde is Jekyll's alter ego, embodying all of his repressed desires and dark impulses. He is physically repulsive and radiates an aura of pure evil. Hyde is described as being smaller and younger than Jekyll, suggesting that he represents the underdeveloped and unrestrained aspects of Jekyll's personality. Hyde's actions are characterized by violence, cruelty, and a complete lack of empathy. He is the embodiment of unchecked evil and the destructive potential within human nature.

Mr. Gabriel John Utterson

Utterson serves as the novel's primary narrator and moral compass. He is a pragmatic and rational lawyer, known for his stoicism and unwavering loyalty to his friends. Utterson's gradual unraveling of the mystery surrounding Jekyll and Hyde provides the narrative framework for the story. He represents the Victorian values of reason, restraint, and social responsibility. His skepticism and methodical approach contrast sharply with the irrational and terrifying events he witnesses.

Dr. Hastie Lanyon

Lanyon is another of Jekyll's longtime friends and a fellow physician. He represents a more traditional and materialistic approach to science, skeptical of Jekyll's unconventional experiments. Lanyon's shock and horror at witnessing Jekyll's transformation into Hyde lead to his rapid decline and death. He serves as a cautionary figure, highlighting the dangers of pushing scientific boundaries without considering the ethical implications.

Mr. Poole

Poole is Jekyll's loyal and long-serving butler. He represents the faithful servant, devoted to his master despite the increasingly bizarre events taking place in Jekyll's laboratory. Poole's growing concern for Jekyll's well-being and his eventual role in breaking down the door to the laboratory demonstrate his unwavering loyalty and dedication.

Themes

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores several profound and enduring themes:

The Duality of Human Nature: The novel's central theme is the inherent duality of human nature, the idea that good and evil coexist within each individual. Jekyll's attempt to separate these two aspects ultimately proves disastrous, demonstrating the interconnectedness and inseparability of these opposing forces.
Repression and Societal Hypocrisy: The Victorian era was characterized by strict social codes and the repression of natural desires. The novel critiques this hypocrisy, suggesting that the suppression of darker impulses can lead to their explosive and destructive expression. Jekyll's desire to explore his hidden desires reflects the societal pressures of the time.
The Consequences of Unchecked Ambition: Jekyll's scientific ambition and his desire to transcend the limitations of human nature lead to his downfall. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing knowledge and power without considering the ethical implications.
Good Versus Evil: The stark contrast between Jekyll and Hyde represents the archetypal struggle between good and evil. However, the novel complicates this dichotomy, suggesting that good and evil are not always easily distinguishable and that they can be intertwined within the same individual. The ambiguity of this struggle is a key element.
The Nature of Identity: The novel raises questions about the nature of identity and the boundaries of the self. Jekyll's transformation into Hyde blurs the lines between his two identities, suggesting that identity is fluid and malleable.

Literary Significance

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a significant work of literature for several reasons:

Exploration of Psychological Themes: The novel's exploration of the duality of human nature and the psychological consequences of repression anticipated later developments in psychology, particularly the work of Sigmund Freud.
Social Commentary: The novel offers a critique of Victorian society, exposing the hypocrisy and moral constraints that characterized the era.
Enduring Popularity: The story's themes and characters have resonated with readers for over a century, making it a classic of world literature. It has been adapted into countless plays, films, and other media, ensuring its continued relevance.
Influence on Genre: The novel helped to popularize the genre of psychological horror and influenced subsequent works exploring themes of identity, repression, and the dark side of human nature.

Conclusion

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is more than just a horror story; it is a profound exploration of the human condition. Its enduring themes of duality, repression, and the consequences of unchecked ambition continue to resonate with readers today. The novel's complex characters, suspenseful plot, and insightful social commentary make it a timeless masterpiece of Victorian literature. It serves as a powerful reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most respectable individuals and the importance of confronting our own inner demons.