Student Question
How is Dr. Jekyll perceived by other characters?
Quick answer:
Dr. Jekyll is perceived by other characters as a respected, wealthy, and morally upstanding doctor and philanthropist. He is a friend to notable figures like Dr. Lanyon and Mr. Utterson. Despite his virtuous public image, Jekyll struggles with secret immoral urges, which he attempts to suppress through experiments. His dual nature remains hidden from society, making it shocking when his connection to the deplorable Mr. Hyde is revealed.
Dr. Henry Jekyll is viewed, in general, as a respected doctor in the community. He is a known friend of Dr. Lanyon. He is a friend of a known lawyer, Mr. Utterson. Jekyll is viewed as a wealthy virtuous man in the community.He is known for his upstanding moral character and for his charity.
However his secret immoral behaviors bother him and he cannot keep them at bay even since his youth.Jekyll hates this part of himself and is dedicated to eradicating it. He undergoes experiments to try to be a better person, more socially acceptable. He wants to separate the good side from the evil side of himself. Of course, as is well know, he fails miserably.
What makes the story so remarkable is his acceptance in society because nobody would guess that he could be the deplorable Mr. Hyde.
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