The Duality of Human Nature in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stevenson explores the concept of man's inherent duality through the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This duality, the coexistence of good and evil within individuals, challenges the simplistic notions of morality prevalent in Victorian society. The novel delves into the inner struggles and choices that define a person's moral character, shedding light on the complexities of human nature. Darwinian influences, London's social disparities, and the historical context of homosexuality further enrich the narrative, offering a nuanced exploration of the depths of the human psyche.
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Presentation Transcript
Duality Stevenson writes about the duality of human nature the idea that every single human being has good and evil within them. Stevenson describes how there is a good and an evil side to everyone's personality, but what is important is how you behave and the decisions you make. The choices people make determine whether a person is good or not. In Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dr Jekyll is a well-respected, intelligent scientist who secretly has a dark, immoral side to his personality. This side of his personality is not active, however, he decides to activate it through his experiments. This side becomes active through the persona of Mr Hyde - a criminal man who commits cruel acts of violence against others. Through this change in Jekyll's character, Stevenson shows the duality in human nature - the idea that everyone is capable of good and evil deeds.
Why has Stevenson presented the theme of man's duality in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? What is he trying to suggest? There isn't the binary opposite of good and evil - things are not that simple. Everyone is capable of good and evil acts. Going against the Victorian mindset that some people are born good or bad.
AO3 Duality Context Darwin Some 15 years before Jekyll and Hyde, Charles Darwin had published The Descent of Man (1871), a book in which he concluded that humankind had descended from a hairy, tailed quadrupled which was itself probably derived from an ancient marsupial animal. Going back even further, Darwin hypothesised that these stages of evolution had been preceded, in a direct line, by some amphibian-like creature, and this again from some fish-like animal. Such a nightmarish biological lineage that denied the specialness of humans feeds into many late- Victorian Gothic novels. Dracula s ability to transform into the shape of a wolf or bat in one example. London In 1889, Charles Booth created colour coded poverty maps which showed how the rich and poor (respectable and disreputable) lived in close proximity. Stevenson hints at the underworld of London throughout the novella when we don t know where characters have been or where they acquired goods. Criminals Deacon Brodie was a Scottish cabinet maker (Stevenson s family owned one of the cabinets) and an Edinburg city councillor. However, he led a separate life and used his skills to copy keys of his clients and by night he was a burglar his first attempt gaining 800 from a bank. He used the money to fund his gambling habit, four mistresses and two children.
AO3 Context - Duality Homosexuality Anatomical Discovery The depiction of Dr Jekyll s house was possibly based on the residence of famous surgeon John Hunter (1728-1793), whose respectable and renowned house in Leicester Square in the 18th century also had a secret. In order to teach and gain knowledge about human anatomy, Hunter required human corpses, many of them supplied by grave robbers getting executed prisoners and unidentified paupers. These were brought, usually at night, to the back entrance of the house which had a drawbridge, leading to the preparation rooms and lecture theatre so that trainee doctors could be provided with bodies to practice dissecting. Not tolerated during the Victorian era, homosexuality was deemed both criminal and sinful. Stevenson s wife burned his original manuscript supposedly because of the hints towards homosexuality and because she feared for his reputation as a children s writer. In 1885, Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act included an undefined term called gross indecency which became used to prosecute homosexuals as committing criminal activity with very little evidence. It was dubbed the blackmailer s charter because it was seen as an easy way to get someone imprisoned. Plus almost all of the characters are bachelors.
AO1 Duality Quotes ape like fury a dingy street, a gin palace. one of your fellows who do what they call good. hence it came about that I concealed my pleasures. hiss savage laugh. Troglodytic like a thief to Harry sbedside. indifferently known as the laboratory or dissecting rooms. The doctor has bought the house from the heirs of a celebrated surgeon. hardly human. cloak Mask much smaller. veil moved like a monkey. the street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood
Darwin London Criminals Homosexuality Anatomical discovery Facts Quotes
Jekyll and Hyde Write out the quote and answer each question: What does this mean? What technique does this use? How does this link to the context? Fog slept above the drowned city How does this foreshadow the end? How does this link to duality? What point is Stevenson making here?
Today we are going to: Revise and analyse some Jekyll and Hyde quotes Revise the theme of duality within novel Plan the answer to an essay question which you ll finish at home
Jekyll and Hyde Write out the quote and answer each question: What does this mean? What technique does this use? How does this link to the context? I am the chief of sinners and the chief of sufferers also How does this foreshadow the end? How does this link to duality? What point is Stevenson making here?
Jekyll and Hyde Write out the quote and answer each question: What does this mean? What technique does this use? How does this link to the context? Man is not truly one, but truly two How does this foreshadow the end? How does this link to duality? What point is Stevenson making here?
Jekyll and Hyde Write out the quote and answer each question: What does this mean? What technique does this use? How does this link to the context? A pale moon lying on her back as though the wind had tilted her How does this foreshadow the end? How does this link to duality? What point is Stevenson making here?
Jekyll and Hyde Write out the quote and answer each question: What does this mean? What technique does this use? How does this link to the context? An expression of such abject terror and despair How does this foreshadow the end? How does this link to duality? What point is Stevenson making here?
Today we are going to: Revise and analyse some Jekyll and Hyde quotes Revise the theme of duality within novel Plan the answer to an essay question which you ll finish at home
Duality reminder. The theme of duality exists throughout the novel. Here s a quick reminder about how. Whist I m reading you through these, add anything you can to the quotes we analysed yesterday.
Duality in Victorian society In private some people visited drinking dens and brothels In public people were very polite Treated people less fortunate than themselves badly Very concerned with reputation Very concerned about their appearance Looked down on people who were not as wealthy as themselves
Duality in their religious beliefs and superstitions Hell Heaven People behaving like animals - animalistic People thought if they behaved they would go to heaven People misusing the human advantage they had been given God had given them their good fortune God had given people the ability to walk away from sin the human race would be punished if people sinned People rejecting Gods way and the rules of society
Duality in science Vs religion Science Religion People playing God by manipulating Science and in effect defying God God chooses when people live and die People behaving in an animalistic way will upset God God has made people better than animals
Duality in London Poor Rich Rich people live in one of the most comfortable and wealthy cities on the planet Poor people live in tiny, dirty rooms some don t even have this and sleep on the streets.
Duality in Jekyll and Hyde Hyde Jekyll Savage, animalistic, rude, violent everything Victorian society would look down on. A gentleman. Well educated, well connected everything Victorian people would aspire to be.
Today we are going to: Revise and analyse some Jekyll and Hyde quotes Revise the theme of duality within novel Plan the answer to an essay question which you ll finish at home
Step 1 what difficulties can you see in understanding the text? there anything you can discount or disregard? Step 5 what do you need to there any red Step 3 re-read and underline in anything you anything you do question? Is Step 4 re-read and underline in answer the herrings here? Step 6 are Step 2 what can you work out already? don t know know Any common mistakes you could make? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 now plan your answer
Complete four paragraphs in answer to this as your revision. Two on the excerpt, two on the whole of the novel using the quotes we looked at earlier. Hand it in and I ll mark it.
