Jekyll and Hyde - Duality

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Term
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Plan
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Terms in this set (21)
Plan
1)Jekyll vs Hyde duality personality + appear differently
2)Ideas in Victorian London +religion
3)Setting
Thesis statement:
Stevenson uses the theme of duality to explore the dual natures humans posses, the further we try to defy our evil natures, the more they ultimately consume us
1)"two natures that contended in the fear of (his) consciousness" + was "committed to a profound duplicity of life"
J has been aware of his dual nature for a long time - lived a dual/double life in order to appear respectful, whilst fulfilling his dark desires in secret. Two aspects of his character in conflict
J feels terrible tension between how he instinctively wants to act and how society expects him too = Victorian gentleman expectations, repression, reputation - tries to separate the two to get the best of both worlds - cannot escape primitive nature
1)"polar twins" "continuously struggling" in the "agonized womb" of his consciousness
S uses familiar aspects of life such as birth = reader imagines better + imagery + vibrant flamboyant imagery + emotion - frequently uses similes and metaphors = more exciting account throughout = engaging
1)"one of your fellows who do what you call good" "he did good"
Represents the noble part - follows society's rules
Introduced by reputation + see little of him directly - though he is the central protagonist
Worked for charities, religious + good friend - generous + kind to others
1)"His every act and thought centered on self" "Trampled calmly"
Hyde represents selfish, pleasure seeking evil aspect
2nd quote: inhuman - both: no empathy - psychopathic tendency. Lack of concern for others + no remorse
Psychopath term + coined in 1888 (soon after book) - philippine = first to discuss it
1)" led wholly towards the mystic and transcendental"
J's approach to science - different to most especially L's - who believes his approach is "too fanciful" "unscientific balderdash"
-Concerned with the nature of the soul and mind or personality - mental health rather than physical body
-Psychology emerged in the 1880s - similar to when the book was released - J was particularly interested : scientific interests = focused on supernatural + spiritual aspects
2)"Large, well-made, smooth-faced man of 50"
J
2)"Something abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of this creature"
Everyone immediately finds Hyde repulsive - can't say exactly what is wrong with his looks - evilness + unnaturalness makes him ugly
2)"the mere aura and effluence of certain of the power that made up my spirit"
= common idea in the 19th century : something leaks out of your spirit and shapes your physical appearance : evil person = ugly, good person = pleasant
- only person who doesn't find H repulsive + J - recognizes him as a familiar part of himself seeing him in the mirror for the first time
2)"Damned juggernaut" "Hellish to see"Juggernaut = large wagon carried image of Hindu God Krishna - Traditionally worshipers threw themselves under = crushed to death, empathizes brute force + violence H trampled the girl with Damned = doomed to hell - but known by end of novel as H commits suicide = eternal damnation2)"Lower elements in my soul"Familiar motif in Christianity - noble soul trying to escape the degrading passions of the body : Ancient Greek philosophers (Plato + Aristotle etc) also discussed separating the body into base instincts like J One of these lower elements perhaps represents original sin : all humans left with due to Adam + Eve being unable to resist the temptation of the devil2)"Lies at the root of religion"Duality in religion? Heaven + hell - source of j's misery = original sin3)"The pleasantest room in London" = HALLConnected to the lab with sinister history + dissection room3)"The quietest room you would have said" = CABINETWhere he carries out his experiments - appears pleasant with fire + tea things laid out3)House/ two doorsPerhaps influenced by famous surgeon John Hunter's house in Leicester Square - respected front - collected dead bodies at the back door3)"Two doors"Boundary - inhabitant has a dual nature - public = private - doesnt want people to see his private self3)"No window"Inhabitants don't want you to see in3)"Neither bell nor knocker"Inhabitants don't want anyone to come in / knock3)"Repair their ravages"No one cares = lack of Morales - maybe society needs both sides - rich go there to fulfill bad desires3)"freshly painted""freshly painted"