Duality in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Steveson

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a literary classic set in Victorian England. Robert Louis Stevenson uses this time period to explore duality and how people must face their evil counterparts. Stevenson illustrates his belief that it is impossible to truly be good with Doctor Jekyll. He even comments â€Å"[M]an is not truly one, but truly two† (Stevenson 125). Jekyll has conformed to society his entire life, trying to be a perfect person. He has never had the opportunity to express his other half. Jekyll creates Hyde so he can be free of societal constraints and do things that a reputable man cannot. Jekyll releases Hyde who ultimately consumes him because he has never learned how to moderate his evil impulses. Stevensons views on human nature are similar to that of The Bible, which consistently cites the life-long struggle Christians face between the flesh â€Å"evil† and the spirit â€Å"good†. Man can never be good because they are tainted by sin. Even Jesus says that only God is good in Mark 10:18 which reads, â€Å"‘Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good--except God alone. Jekyll is the archetypal example of this. Jekyll knows what his desires are but once he falls from grace by creating Hyde he is forced to grapple with his evil side until it kill him. Doctor Jekyll knew his inevitable demise was rapidly approaching because he pleads with Utterson asking him to â€Å"help [Hyde] for my sake, when I am no longer here† (39). Jekylls actions were evil when he created his potionShow MoreRelated Considering The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an Effective Representation of Evil3122 Words   |  13 PagesConsidering The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an Effective Representation of Evil The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, originally published in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson, arguably remains a popular novella even today because of its representations of evil and themes concerned with evil such as morality. Originally written for a Victorian audience, the text follows the conventions of the time - for example, the Georgian style of introducing and