illustration of a face with two separate halves, one good and one evil, located above the fumes of a potion

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Start Free Trial

Themes: Identity

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Dr. Jekyll disrupts the natural order because he finds it difficult to accept the dual aspects of his identity throughout his life. He comes to the realization that everyone is affected by this duality: "With every day, and for both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to that truth, by whose partial discovery I have been doomed ... that man is not truly one, but truly two ... I hazard the guess that man will be ultimately known for a mere polity of multifarious, incongruous and independent denizens." He describes himself as naturally inclined towards hard work, enjoying the respect of the wise and good among his peers, and thus seemingly destined for an honorable and distinguished future.

However, Jekyll admits to having a "certain impatient gaiety of disposition" and a struggle to conquer his "aversions to the dryness of a life of study." He is disturbed by "those provinces of good and ill which divide and compound man's dual nature" and thus decides to rid himself of his baser instincts.

Expert Q&A

How does Dr. Jekyll conclude that "man is not truly one, but truly two"?

Dr. Jekyll concludes that "man is not truly one, but truly two" through his transformation into Mr. Hyde, revealing his good and evil sides. This duality reflects the Victorian era's interest in human behavior and the emerging field of psychology. Jekyll's flawed hypothesis aimed to separate these sides with a potion, but ultimately, his evil side, Hyde, gained dominance, illustrating the complex nature of human duality.

Jekyll's interpretation of his relationship with Hyde

Dr. Jekyll views his relationship with Hyde as a means to explore and separate his dual nature. Initially, he is thrilled by the freedom and lack of consequences Hyde provides, allowing Jekyll to indulge his darker side without guilt. However, as Hyde's evil nature grows stronger and uncontrollable, Jekyll becomes increasingly horrified, ultimately realizing that he cannot control Hyde, leading to his tragic end.

What motivated Dr. Jekyll to separate his dual natures into different identities?

Dr. Jekyll's motivation for separating his dual identities of good and bad into different houses or bodies was to gain peace of mind. With his good side and bad side housed in one body, he was always at war with himself. The good side was ashamed of the bad side, and the bad side didn't want to be restrained by the good side. He thought splitting them in two would allow both sides to be wholly themselves.

Duality in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson explores the theme of duality through the complex relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, representing the struggle between good and evil within a single person. The Victorian social context, marked by strict moral codes and hidden immorality, underscores this duality. The novel suggests that human nature is inherently divided, challenging Victorian ideals of purity. Dualities are illustrated through character transformations, physical contrasts, and social dynamics, raising questions about the nature of humanity and morality.

Exploration of the nature of "good" and "evil" and the influence of environment on human nature in Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the duality of human nature, presenting "good" and "evil" as innate aspects within individuals. The narrative suggests that environment and societal expectations can influence which side prevails. Dr. Jekyll's transformation into Mr. Hyde illustrates the struggle between these opposing forces and the consequences of succumbing to one's darker instincts.

What does Jekyll mean by "these polar twins should be continuously struggling" in his "agonizing womb of consciousness"?

Jekyll means that the dual aspects of human nature—good and evil—are in constant conflict within each person. This struggle is intrinsic to humanity and cannot be separated, as he attempted to do. The "agonizing womb of consciousness" symbolizes this ongoing battle, likening it to a state of continuous development and internal conflict, essential to the human experience.

Dr. Jekyll's struggle for control over his dual nature in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll struggles to control his dual nature, represented by his alter ego, Mr. Hyde. Jekyll initially believes he can separate his good and evil sides but gradually loses control over Hyde, who becomes increasingly dominant, leading to tragic consequences.

Henry Jekyll's worst fault and how he addressed it in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

Henry Jekyll's worst fault is his dual nature, struggling between his respectable persona and darker urges. To address this, he creates a potion that transforms him into Mr. Hyde, allowing him to act on his darker impulses without tarnishing his reputation. This separation, however, ultimately leads to tragic consequences.

Discuss the concept of control in Jekyll's relationship with Hyde.

In Jekyll's relationship with Hyde, control is a central theme, illustrating the struggle between one's better qualities and darker impulses. Jekyll initially believes he can manage his darker side by creating Hyde, but Hyde soon dominates, revealing the uncontrollable nature of Jekyll's darker urges. Hyde's lack of conscience and moral restraint ultimately forces Jekyll to take drastic measures to regain control.

Show another question (10 questions hidden)

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Themes: Supernaturalism

Next

Themes: Change and Transformation

Loading...