Jeckyll and Hyde and Victorian - Literature review Example

?Introduction The concepts of Victorian text are based on the concept of creating a sense of uncertainty and ments which have various levels of interpretation. When looking at Victorian literature, it can be seen that there are various levels of interpretation and meaning which are associated with the different pieces of literature. This is not only based on the basic meaning which is read at the surface of the literature. More important, is an underlying current that is based on the different concepts of the time, such as the socio – political and historical context of the time. The images, metaphors and various statements made through different pieces of literature can be interpreted as a sense of the time and refer to the complexities which were surrounding the time frame. When looking at “Jane Eyre” and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” it can be seen that there are specific concepts related to the text that show socio – political undertones of the time. Jeckyll and Hyde and Victorian Literature The different socio – political context which was seen in Victorian literature is defined by the undertone of the main issues of Victorian society. A representative of this is “Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde.” This specific book is not only noted as one in which there are specific innovations which allow the main character to turn from one personality to another. The undertones which are a part of this create a sense of imagination in specific reference to the political, economic and social status of those within society. The book works as a main reference to the components which are occurring in society through the actions the main character takes. The character, plot line and the outcome all work as a metaphor of what is occurring within the society at the time as well as how this is associated with the concepts and philosophies of the socially elite class. The book turns into one which is based on the intellectual ideologies of the elite class and references the opposition to the several changes occurring within society (Cherry, 195). There are several moments when this book shows the main reference to changes occurring in society. The first metaphor is with the character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, specifically as technology is the main key to turning the main character from one to the other. The personality of the character changes into one which is considered a part of the community while the other is considered monstrous. The character notes this difference, specifically by his own understanding of his alternative character. For instance, when speaking to a girl, he changes his character instantly. “He had in his hand a heavy cane, with which he was trifling; but he answered never a word, and seemed to listen with an ill – contained impatience. And then all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on like a madman” (Stevenson, 33). This specific reference shows the dichotomy of the time, specifically with he changes in character from the lack of control which was a part of the changes. The alteration into Mr. Hyde is one which is expressive of the inability to control the machinery and manmade materials of the time which were being revered at the time, while turning men in society which were considered evenly tempered into mad men. The question which arises is based on what the machinery, industry and the changes in society would lead men to do, both with their own personalities and when having the interference of machinery. Not only are there references to the technology and movement into industrialization. There is also a division between romanticism and realism which takes place throughout the book. The concept of romanticism comes from the possibilities which can take place with the use of technology and the innovations which may occur. The realism is based on the components based on the unknowing and the outcomes which may occur, as well as how this will create divisions in society. At the end of the book, this is shown through the narrator, who is designated to deliver goods to Mr. Hyde. The response which he gives is “Upon the reading of the letter, I made sure my colleague was insane; but till that was proved beyond the possibility of a doubt, I felt bound to do as he requested” (Stevenson, 83). Stating that there is a sense of insanity and believing that the situation is not real as the events are described references the dichotomy between realism and romanticism. This is an example of reality not being believable and the romanticism taking over, even though the situation in the book is considered real. The blurred line and the unknowing of what could happen, specifically with the loss of control from the man made experiment splits the realities apart. This is another example of how the Victorian literature wrote with an undertone of the opposition to the technologies of the time and the realist nature which was created as a part of this. The main component which “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” represents is based on the changes in the industrial age and how this altered social status and belief throughout society. The characters become a representation of the downfall of society from the industrial age as well as the fears which were based over the growth and acceptance of mass production and machinery within society (Tucker, 1). The dichotomy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde represents the before machinery and after the invention, specifically with the struggle of the character being from giving into the elitist attitude of Mr. Hyde. There are several points where the characters state that they “don’t like Mr. Hyde,” (32), specifically because of the elitist attitude which comes from the machine like stance of the character. The undertone which is represented is then based on the rejection of technology and the realities which are created, as opposed to the romanticism which many believed this would lead to in society. Jane Eyre Another book which shows this same sense of division from the socio – political context is “Jane Eyre.” The division which occurs is one which is based on the reform which took place during this time and the opposition to it. The actions of the characters, the desire to overcome the social status which many were put in and the divisions which were created in the personal lives of several works as an undertone throughout the book. The political history of Britain intertwines with this to show what life was like before the revolutions occurred, as well as what happened when the social divisions became a main component of life in the era. Jane Eyre represents a woman that is going through these changes and is divided by both sides, specifically with the desire to overcome a specific social status and then realizing that both sides are divided only by economic and political status, as well as the social definitions which one has, as opposed to the personality which one carries (Hall, McClelland, 16). There are several moments where the divisions in society become present in “Jane Eyre.” The first is through the gender which is held and the way in which this represses Jane. Jane is expected to marry into a specific family and hold the economic status of her family. The suppression is seen throughout the book as she continuously struggles with her own desires and the expectation of her to marry and to carry a specific role. As this continues with the gender division, it becomes complex with the economic changes, specifically as Jane moves from a status of wealth and into poverty, as well as how she tries to change her status back into one which is acceptable in society. For instance, when Jane returns to Gateshed because of her aunt’s death, there are distinct lines between her and her cousin. Her cousin doesn’t help with the work and remains idle, while Jane finds that the status that she once belonged to no longer fits with the suffering she has gone through. “I had known what it was to come back to Gateshead when a child after a long walk, to be scolded and for looking cold or gloomy; and later, what it was to come back from church to Lowood, to long for a plenteous meal and a good fire, and to be unable to get either” (Bronte, 278). The controversies which Jane faces throughout the book are all a reflection of social class and expectations in society as well as how Jane has to face these with her specific place in society and the cultural relationships which are associated with this. The dichotomy comes from her rich upbringing and her decision to not live with riches, which becomes the main battle that she lives with. As the undertones are shown throughout the book, there is significance in the statements which Jane takes as well as what she comes to represent. Jane becomes a figure which rejects the ideologies of social status, as well as how these were created in society because of the realistic viewpoints, political changes and the struggles which began to occur in society. By showing the historical relevance both before and after this happens as well as creating significance around specific events, one is able to question the changes into social status and how this has altered the way in which many think and the relationships which they have in society. For instance, when Jane moves to a school to work with peasants that can’t read or write, she falls back on the ideal social status, showing her relationship to society. “Was I very gleeful, settled, content, during the hours I passed in yonder bare, humble schoolroom this morning and afternoon? Not to deceive myself, I must reply – No: I felt desolate to a degree. I felt – yes, idiot that I am – I felt degraded. I doubted I had taken a step which sank instead of raising me in the scale of social existence” (Bronte, 414). This quote of being degraded and sliding down the scale of social existence shows the concept of social status. While Jane is able to work with school children, she isn’t interested in the service or capabilities which she is offering. Instead, she is humiliated because she has to work with a lower class and remains poor while doing so. Jane is then able to work as a figure which is based on the representations of society and the beliefs and demands which took place through the social status and divisions of the time. The reflection is one which is economic and social in nature with separating Jane from others that are in society (Elliott, 2). This particular concept not only relates to the ideology of social status, but shows the imperialist nature which was a part of the time frame. This was one which placed individuals on a sliding scale of status, dependent on their interactions with others, where they stood in society and the social stigma which was surrounding those in society. The reference to the peasants which Jane has, for instance, comes not only from the social status. This was based on the French rebellion and the uprising of the peasants to gain a sense of freedom. The imperialist attitude which is created then becomes a strong debate in Victorian literature, specifically by creating divisions between the lower and upper class both politically and with individuals who remained separated because of the political powers (Gallagher, 15). “Jane Eyre” becomes a representation of this when teaching, moving through the different social classes and by changing her economic status. Conclusion The concepts of Victorian literature were not only presented as basic ideals that were able to tell a story for the time frame. More important, there was significance which was based on the historical, political and social relevance of the time. The authors of various books created a question about what was expected in society as well as whether this was one which should be embraced by those of various social status’ in society. Through books such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as Jane Eyre, there is significance in pointing out the problems with technology, social status and the realities which were overtaking Britain during this time. Victorian literature was then able to represent the changes which were occurring throughout society during this age. Works Cited Bronte, Charolette. Jane Eyre. Penguin Books: New York, 2000. Cherry, Christopher. “Historical Incongruity.” Philosophy (62), 1987. Elliott, P. “The Origins of the Creative Class: Provincial Urban Society, Scientific Culture and Socio – Political Marginality in Britain in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.” Social History 52 (4), 2003. Gallagher, Catherine. The Body Economic: Life, Death, and Sensation in Political Economy and the Victorian Novel. Princeton University Press: New York, 2008. Hall, C, K McClelland. Defining the Victorian Nation: Class, Race, Gender and the British Reform Act of 1867. Routledge: New York, 2000. Stevenson, RL. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Penguin press: New York, 2000. Tucker, HF. A Companion To Victorian Literature and Culture Routledge: New york, 1999. Read More