Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde

Following up on the reading of the “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, by Robert Stevenson, I have discovered several themes reflecting upon gothic elements, bringing the reader to experience rage, fear, and horror. Throughout the book there is a big concern about homosexuality, murder, and duality of human nature all told form a patriarchal point of view. However the centralized focus is based on good and evil. Stevenson focus’ his centralized theme and proves his text to be gothic by embedding one character revealing two distinctive persons with opposite characteristics.

The text explains to us the characteristics of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is known to be tall and pale gentlemen, who seem to be attractive. He is considered to be well respected and somewhat liked among the everyday common citizens. As oppose to Mr. Hyde who is unappreciated by everyone. Just by the looks and appearance of Mr. Hyde leaves people to think of him in disgust and hatred. As quoted in the first chapter Mr. Enfield states to Mr. Utterson, “He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with this appearance; something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn’t specify the point. He’s an extraordinary-looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way. No, sir; I can make no hand to it; I can’t describe him. And it’s not want of memory; for I declare I can see him this moment”. Enfield is unable to formulate a clear and precise portrait. He asserts that Hyde is deformed, ugly, and inspires an immediate revulsion, yet he cannot say why. Looking at a closer analysis, Hyde is beyond words just as he is beyond morality and conscience. As a supernatural creation, he does not quite belong in the world. Likewise, he is portrayed as of one being abnormal and not quite parallel to common human behavior. It is true that Jekyll appears as moral and decent, engaging in charity work and enjoying a reputation as a courteous and genial man, he in fact never fully embodies virtue in the way that Hyde embodies evil. Although Jekyll undertakes his