Themes: Dual Nature of Humanity
In today's world, where much is known and dramatized about multiple personalities, the allegorical aspects of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are quite clear. Stevenson believed that even the most virtuous people possess a dark side. After completing the initial draft, his wife persuaded him to add more allegory, a decision that elevated what could have been a science fiction story into a timeless classic. Some readers have even found symbolic meanings in the names: "Je" means "I" in French; "kyll" could suggest "kill" (implying "I kill"); and "Hyde" hints at concealing one's identity. Regardless, Stevenson was undoubtedly suggesting that every individual has the potential for dual nature. Freudian psychologists might agree that the "dark" persona often reveals itself in dreams.
Expert Q&A
Do The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explore the duality of human nature?
Both The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explore the duality of human nature through characters who struggle with their inner and outer selves. Dorian Gray and Dr. Jekyll both lead double lives, engaging in immoral acts while maintaining a respectable facade. Their stories reveal the destructive power of unchecked desires and the societal pressures that encourage duplicity. Ultimately, both characters face consequences as their darker sides overpower their virtues.
How does the frame narrative in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde illustrate duplicity?
The frame narrative in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" illustrates duplicity by presenting two parallel storylines. The outer narrative involves the narrator's perspective and conflicts, while the inner narrative focuses on Dr. Jekyll's life and his transformation into Mr. Hyde. This dual structure highlights the theme of duality, with both narratives exploring similar themes but differing in actions, conflicts, and resolutions, emphasizing the complexity of human nature.
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Themes: Individual Moral Responsibility
Themes: Psychological Insights and Dream Influence
