Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Example

rural and urban environments share a sense of isolation and seclusion. In past centuries, seclusion was more mental or spiritual, but in the twentieth century it became a physical barrier caused by nature. During the time when novels such as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Frankenstein, and Tales of Mystery and Imagination were written, British Empire thrived and society idolized respectable middle-class white Christian males as role models.

Despite appearing respectable, this man had a secret life as a frequent visitor to prostitutes, a heavy drinker, and user of narcotics. In the gothic novels of that era, the idea of white supremacy was often challenged. For instance, Stevenson's belief that "man is not truly one, but truly two" was revolutionary, and Shelley's idea that man could create a complex and wonderful animal challenged the biblical belief that only God can bestow life. Both novels also viewed science as strange and mysterious. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde warns about the danger of unleashing science, stating "My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring." Frankenstein shows how gaining knowledge can lead to "your destruction and infallible misery." It wasn't until the sexual revolution of the sixties that writers began to openly discuss sex in their work.

Carter frequently alludes to sex through vivid scenes like when a character strips off their lover's clothes and tosses them into flames. She also includes supernatural elements such as ghosts, hobgoblins, ogres who cook babies on grills, witches who fatten their captives for cannibalism, and wolves.

There is a generation that considers science familiar while they find religion and God to be mysterious. Despite science being able to explain almost everything

in the twentieth century, there remain inexplicable and supernatural phenomena. Furthermore, religious and sexual imagery have been prevalent in Gothic novels of the nineteenth century.

Both Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde deal with the themes of creation and humanity's endeavor to manipulate the natural world. In Frankenstein, the character of Frankenstein assumes a God-like role as he brings into existence a monstrous being. Nevertheless, his revulsion towards the creature's unsightly appearance leads to their struggle being depicted as a clash between right and wrong. On the other hand, in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Jekyll endeavors to repress his innermost urges and conform to societal norms so that he can be regarded as an individual with admirable moral principles according to Christian beliefs.

The eruption of Jekyll's inner emotions as Mr Hyde is illustrated by the phrase, "My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring." Similar to Frankenstein's monster, Mr Hyde is portrayed as physically deformed, which symbolizes mental deformity as seen in nineteenth century literature. Ultimately, Jekyll sacrifices himself to put an end to Hyde's actions, describing himself as "that unhappy Henry Jekyll" and acting like a martyr. The Company of Wolves is replete with similar imagery throughout.

The initial description of the wolves portrays them as "grey members of a congregation of nightmare," almost as if they were venerating Satan. Furthermore, the imagery of a particular wolf having devoured a religious man who sang to Jesus all day highlights how despite his apparent piety, the man was still plagued by impure thoughts.

The quote "You can hurl your Bible at him... but it won't do any good" demonstrates that those who are

impure are not protected by God from evil. Twentieth century literature employs more explicit religious imagery compared to the subtle references found in nineteenth century literature. Unlike nineteenth century novels, sex is mentioned in twentieth century gothic texts, setting them apart from gothic literature of other centuries.

Twentieth century gothic literature is characterized by sexual imagery, as portrayed in the depiction of a wolf and a virgin in a "savage marriage ceremony." The virgin's "immaculate flesh" is the only thing stopping her from being consumed by the wolf, whose "huge genitals" contrast with the girl's "untouched integument of flesh" and "unbroken egg."

Gothic literature commonly employs the concept of doubling, which is also prominent in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The novel conveys the idea that "man is not truly one, but truly two" through its literary demonstration. It tells the story of Jekyll, an upstanding individual who transforms into Edward Hyde, a unique and isolated member of humanity ...

You are wicked. The monster in Frankenstein transforms from a virtuous being to a murderous wreck. "Initially, I was kind-hearted; my soul radiated with affection and compassion," admits the monster as he recalls his early emotions towards other beings. "If humanity was aware of my existence, they would..."

In discussing his turn to murder, the monster laments "I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless" as he recounts how he was initially kind but became miserable after being rejected by humans. Frankenstein illustrates his transformation from an affectionate creature to a wretched one due to mistreatment from humanity. While 19th century novels focus on this theme, 20th century works utilize doubling with

a more physical approach, often involving fears of the supernatural.

The art of doubling is utilized in the story of Little Red Riding Hood where the wolf pretends to be the grandmother to reach the granddaughter. The wolf's imitation of the grandmother's voice demonstrates his willingness to do anything to obtain the young girl's "immaculate flesh." Despite this, I believe that twentieth-century gothic novels do not fully explore the potential of doubling.

My enjoyment of analysing and scrutinising gothic literature from the past century has shown me how time can shape the genre. The socio-historic settings dictate the direction a gothic story or novel will take. I found both novels intriguing in their use and presentation of the main pillars of the gothic genre. Though there were variations and similarities in setting, atmosphere, obsessions, religious and sexual imagery, victims, the supernatural, death, the battle between God and the devil or truth and falsehood, decay, and doubling. The nineteenth century novels defied popular views of their time, while the twentieth century story applied to my fears and life. Although the nineteenth century literature was riveting, the twentieth story played on my fears more and applies to my life better.

The gothic novel's use of sexual or religious imagery and modernization or supernatural elements is influenced by the socio-historic context. However, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's quote "man is not truly one, but truly two" remains my favorite due to its relatability and truthfulness.

Gothic literature obtains a distinct flavor with every new century it enters.