DR. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Novel - Essay Example

DR. Jekll and Mr. Hyde Novel Introduction Duality o human nature is a major theme in the novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The author of the novel develops the theme systematically by portraying the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde. The relationship is unique since Jekyll, a reputable member of the society often metamorphoses to Hyde, a sinister man who has murdered a number of people in the society. The relationship between Jekyll and Hyde makes a significant statement on the relationship between good and evil in human nature. Jekyll, the good citizen, often turned to Hyde and committed various atrocities. Jekyll did not like turning into the evil Hyde. He often took a concoction that would help reverse the metamorphosis. However, the metamorphosis became increasingly intense, involuntary and hard to control. The nature of metamorphosis shows that evil is more dominant as the discussion below portrays. The split personality in the Jekyll-Hyde relationship is a portrayal of the existence of both good and evil in a single individual. The character strives to maintain a dignified relationship with others as Jekyll. When he turns into Hyde, he commits numerous crimes with the first of his crimes constituting the topic of a discussion between Mr. Utterson and Enfield. Hyde is aggressive and does not care about protecting his reputation. The society readily suspects his personality “the last I think; for, O poor old Harry Jekyll, if ever I read Satans signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend” (Stevenson 52) The presentation of both Jekyll and Hyde shows two distinct people with unique personalities. The duality portrays the balance that exists between good and evil in people. The introduction of both Jekyll and Hyde shows the ability of people to balance between good and evil. The feature shows that humans have the potential of being good to others while portraying evil to yet another substantial group of people. The two are intricate features of humanity. Balancing between the two and concealing one from a particular public comes naturally to an individual depending on a reputation he or she seek to develop. As the plot of the novel advances, a major conflict between Jekyll and Hyde emerges. Jekyll does not like turning into Hyde. He, therefore, devises a concoction, which he drinks thereby transforming immediately back to Jekyll. Jekyll becomes increasingly unhappy and anti-social. Jekyll is unhappy because he often turned to Hyde and committed various crimes. His anti-social nature develops progressively as the metamorphoses become increasingly uncontrollable. At one instance, Jekyll engages in a conversation with both Utterson and Enfield but Jekyll immediately slams the window and withdraws from the conversation. The development as the in the plot of the novel shows that evil grows in human. The more one commits atrocities, the more they progressive transform into the evil ways. He attempts to hide his evil side when he withdraws from the conversation a feature that portrays the attempt by humans to conceal their evil side “there comes an end to all things; the most capacious measure is filled at last; and this brief condescension to evil finally destroyed the balance of my soul” (Stevenson 43). The urge to become Hyde continues to grow in Jekyll despite the fact that he does not like doing so. The urge becomes so intense that he fails to control it anymore. Unfortunately, the salt, which was a basic ingredient in a concoction that would always help him change back to Jekyll, soon becomes contaminated thus ineffective. This heightens Jekyll’s predicament since he cannot hide his evil side anymore. The contamination of the salt is a timely and the strategic inclusion in the plot as the author strives to make the statement that evil is more dominant than good in humans “if I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also” (Stevenson 55). The novel concludes with Jekyll dying in Hyde’s body. Hyde could not transform back to Jekyll and therefore decided to commit suicide. Unfortunately, he commits suicide while wearing Jekyll’s clothes. The conclusion is strategic in enhancing the statement the author makes about the relationship between good and evil in humans. The novel ends with the evil character at the center of actions. This underscores the claim that evil is more dominant than evil in humans (Gray 66). In retrospect, the plot of the novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde makes a significant statement about good and evil. The conflict in the story claims that good and evil are two basic features of humanity that coexist in every human. The plot further claim that evil is often dominant. The author of the novel does this by developing a systematic split personality in the novels main character. The relationship between Jekyll and Hyde shows the coexistence of both good and evil in humanity. The developments of the conflict in the split personality conclude with evil dominating “here then, as I lay down the pen and proceed to seal up my confession, I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end” (Stevenson 124). Hyde dies in Jekyll’s clothes thereby proving that the reputable and noble Jekyll was the same character that had committed the various atrocities but in Hyde’s personality. Works cited Gray, William. Fantasy, Art and Life: Essays on George Macdonald, Robert Louis Stevenson and Other Fantasy Writers. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Pub, 2011. Internet resource. Stevenson, Robert. L. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. New York: eBookEden.com, 1980. Internet resource.                   Stevenson, Robert. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Includes In-Depth Study Guide, Chapter Analysis, Biography, and the Complete Novella: BookCaps Study Guides. New York: BookCaps Study Guides, 2012. Print. Read More