Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

 Thinking Activity :- Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde":-

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a classic Gothic novella by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, published in 1886. It tells the story of Gabriel John Utterson, a lawyer in London, who investigates the mysterious relationship between his friend Dr. Henry Jekyll and the sinister Edward Hyde.

This novella is renowned as a masterpiece of English literature, particularly within the gothic horror genre. Its influence extends beyond the literary world, with the phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" commonly used to describe individuals who exhibit both good and evil traits.

Robert Louis Stevenson :-

Robert Louis Stevenson was a famous Scottish writer known for books like Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He was born in Edinburgh and struggled with health problems but still wrote a lot and traveled widely. Stevenson hung out with other writers in London and got inspired by them. Later in life, he moved to Samoa, where he got worried about other countries taking over the islands. He passed away at the age of 44 but is still remembered as a great writer whose books are loved around the world.

Dualities:-

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is often seen as exploring the idea of dualities within human nature, such as the struggle between good and evil. This inner conflict is portrayed through the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Some interpretations suggest that suppressing one's darker impulses can lead to their manifestation in destructive ways. In psychological terms, this is akin to Freud's concept of the unconscious mind influencing conscious behavior. 

From a Christian perspective, the story reflects the consequences of refusing to acknowledge one's dual nature, paralleling Satan's fall from Heaven due to his refusal to accept his created status. Pride, or the denial of one's inherent flaws, is seen as a precursor to evil.

However, some interpretations, like Vladimir Nabokov's, challenge the simplistic view of good versus evil, suggesting that even Dr. Jekyll himself may not be morally upright by Victorian standards in certain aspects.

Id, ego and superego:-

In the theory of the id, ego, and superego, Dr. Jekyll represents the ego, which strives to balance between the primal urges of the id (represented by Mr. Hyde) and the moral standards of society, embodied in the superego. When Dr. Jekyll transforms into Mr. Hyde, the ego is suppressed, allowing the unchecked expression of the id's primal desires without the constraints of societal morals. This transformation illustrates the inner conflict between the different aspects of human psychology and the consequences of yielding to unchecked impulses.

Public vs. Private:-

In the theory of the id, ego, and superego, Dr. Jekyll represents the ego, which strives to balance between the primal urges of the id (represented by Mr. Hyde) and the moral standards of society, embodied in the superego. When Dr. Jekyll transforms into Mr. Hyde, the ego is suppressed, allowing the unchecked expression of the id's primal desires without the constraints of societal morals. This transformation illustrates the inner conflict between the different aspects of human psychology and the consequences of yielding to unchecked impulses.

Scottish nationalism vs. union with Britain:-

In another interpretation, the duality in "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is seen as symbolic of Scotland and the Scottish character. Here, the dualities reflect Scotland's relationship with wider Britain and the English language, as well as the influence of the Church of Scotland on Scottish identity. Additionally, parallels are drawn with Stevenson's birthplace, Edinburgh, which consists of two distinct parts: the old medieval section, associated with poverty and crime, and the modern Georgian area, representing respectability. This interpretation suggests a deeper exploration of social and cultural tensions within Scotland, reflected through the characters and themes of the novella.

Addiction:- 

Some scholars have argued that addiction or substance abuse is a central theme in the novella. Stevenson's depiction of Mr.  Hyde is reminiscent of descriptions of substance abuse in the nineteenth century. Daniel L. Wright describes Dr. Jekyll as "not so much a man of conflicted personality as a man suffering from the ravages of addiction".^[22] Patricia Comitini argues that the central duality in the novella is in fact not Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but rather Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and Utterson, where Utterson represents the rational, unaddicted, ideal Victorian subject devoid of forbidden desires, and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde constitutes his opposite.

Darwin:- 

The publication of The Origin of Species had a significant impact on Victorian society. Many did not fully understand the concepts of evolution, and assumed Darwin meant humans had evolved directly from apes, and that if it was possible to evolve into humans, it was also possible to degenerate into something more ape-like and primitive. Mr. Hyde is described as a more primitive and less developed version of Dr. Jekyll, and gradually Hyde becomes more bestial as his degeneration progress.

Homosexuality:-

The novel was written at a time when the Labouchere Amendment was published, criminalising homosexuality. The discourse on sex in general had become a secret and repressed desire, while homosexuality was not even to be thought about. This represents Mr. Hyde, whose purpose is to fulfill all of Dr. Jekyll’s repressed desires. The lack of prominent women in the novel also helps to create a homosexual interpretation, since the focus is on romanticising bachelor boyhood for men. There were some things that Dr. Jekyll did as Mr. Hyde that he was too embarrassed to confess for, even on his deathbed, which follows the secrecy and shame of homosexuality in the Victorian era. Lanyon also refused to speak, sparing Jekyll the embarrassment and criminality of being known as a homosexual.