jekyll and hyde

Religion in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

  • The text is rife with biblical allusion.
    • The majority of the population at the time was religious.
    • Referencing the Bible, a universally recognized book, provides a system of symbolism.
    • Religion invokes tradition and history, adding seriousness and power to the text.

Examples of Biblical and Religious Allusion

  • "really like Satan."
  • "that human Juggernaut" - likens Hyde to a powerful Hindu God.
  • "if ever I read Satan's signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend."
  • "I incline to Cain's heresy"
    • This refers to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel: Cain murders Abel out of jealousy because God prefers Abel's sacrifices.
    • Cain symbolizes the origin of greed and evil.
    • The comparison of the two brothers signifies the duality of Jekyll and Hyde.
  • Religious allusions underline the theme of religion vs science, maintaining reader awareness of this juxtaposition in society.

Transmorphism and Transformation

  • Central to the text is the idea of transformation, especially between Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll.
  • During the Victorian era, religious readings were common for assessing morality related to transformations.
  • Transformation referenced in the Bible:
    • Corinthians 5:17 - "therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
    • Colossians 3:10 - "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
    • Implicitly states that only Christ can effect change positively in society.
    • Jekyll’s transformation disregards this, using his abilities destructively.

Stevenson’s Attitude to Religion

  • Stevenson experienced both scientific and religious influences through family and socialization.
    • His father was a Calvinist, and rejecting faith led to familial strain.
  • Calvinism:
    • Based on John Calvin's teachings, emphasizing morality and perfection deemed impossible for humans, which Stevenson found hypocritical.
  • His father's reaction upon Stevenson's rejection was one of anger and anguish for Stevenson.

Impact of Religion on Characters

  • Character actions and dialogues reflect the influence of religion:
    • Utterson's schedule aligns with church bells, indicating religious influence on his life.
    • Example: "It was his custom of a Sunday…to sit close by the fire, a volume of some dry divinity…"
    • Jekyll, previously distinguished by religion, shows remorse seeking redemption from God:
    • Example: "had fallen upon his knees and lifted his clasped hands to God."

Changing Religious Beliefs in the 1800s

  • Skepticism towards spirituality increased due to factors such as:
    • Thomas Huxley and Agnosticism: Defined agnosticism, advocating empirical evidence.
    • Industrial Revolution: Material comforts replaced spirituality as urbanization shifted lifestyles.
    • David Friedrich Strauss: Authored Das Leben Jesu, criticizing Jesus' miracles, leading Victorians to doubt faith.
    • The church's influence diminished:
    • In 1829, a law was lifted, removing the requirement to renounce Catholic beliefs for public office.
    • In 1851, census indicated 40% church attendance.
    • Resulted in societal anxiety, a theme Stevenson employs to incite fear in readers.

Reception Among Religious Communities

  • Contemporary critics viewed the novella as significant beyond mere entertainment.
    • A sermon at St Paul's Cathedral referenced the novella as addressing the good vs evil theme.
    • Comparisons were made to the writings of the Apostle Paul, discussing man’s dual nature.

Science and Technology's Effect on Society

  • The scientific advancements improved daily life especially for the upper classes.
  • Population growth from 8 million to 30 million between 1800 and 1900.
  • The railway network provided enhanced access to locations, benefiting many.
  • Exports rose exponentially, from £25 million to £75 million, supporting further advances via industry and government.

Darwinism

  • Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection challenged religious beliefs, presenting fear of conflict with creationism.
    • Published The Descent of Man in 1871, applying evolution theories to humans.
    • Stevenson includes characters like Hyde exhibiting atavistic features linking them to fears of devolution within society.
    • Hyde’s depiction as a "troglodyte" reflects evolutionary regression and degeneration fears prominent in Gothic literature.

John Hunter as Inspiration for Dr. Jekyll

  • John Hunter was a well-regarded medical professional in London, dissecting over 2000 human bodies.
  • His house represented duality; one side was for social gatherings while the other for anatomical studies.
  • Stevenson illustrates how the upper classes are inseparable from lower classes' darkness.

Body Snatching

  • A lucrative illegal trade emerged around grave-robbing for medical studies, leading to significant criminal activity.
  • Notable figures like Hare and Burke resorted to murder to gain cadavers due to high demand.

Scientific Procedure and the Novel

  • The duality of Jekyll and Hyde reflects Stevenson’s medical background and scientific procedures relevant at the time.
    • Example: Hyde's visit to Lanyon mirrors a patient consultation.
    • As the story unfolds, the roles switch, culminating in a transformative “Strange Case” narrative.

Psychological Influence of Sigmund Freud

  • Freud's work significantly influenced Victorian views on behavior and mental illness, introducing psychoanalysis.
  • His Structural Theory of the Mind components:
    • Id: Represents primitive instincts and desires.
    • Superego: Functions as the moral conscience.
    • Ego: Acts as the mediator between the desires of id and moral considerations of the superego.
  • Hyde represents the id’s dominance, while Jekyll embodies the ego’s struggle.
  • Analyzing characters through a Freudian lens adds depth to essays and marks for AO3.

Gothic Context and Themes

  • Fin de siècle: The end of the 19th century incited social anxiety about the unknown, demonstrated in art and literature.
    • Technological advancements caused additional fear during this transitional period.
  • Emerging literary context includes Gothic themes as reflected through emotional struggle, madness, and the supernatural.
    • Key characteristics of Gothic literature include:
    • References to the supernatural.
    • Heightened emotions creating a foreboding atmosphere.
    • Concepts of madness and insanity reflecting societal views towards mental illness.
    • Archetypes of 'evil' characters linked to supernatural acts.

Gothic Influence in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

  • Secrets and suspense play major roles in the novel.
  • Settings enhance gothic conventions through mystery, such as Jekyll's laboratory.
  • Example: Pathetic fallacy in chapter four emphasizes the atmosphere post-murder of Sir Carew.
  • The relationship between realism and fantasy creates a unique suspenseful narrative blend.
  • Limited female representation contrasts typical gothic tropes of women as victims.

Comparison with Other Gothic Texts

  • Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker: Explores transformation and horror in the context of vampire lore.
  • The Time Machine (1895) by H.G. Wells: Investigates societal issues paralleled in Jekyll and Hyde.
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde: Explores moral degenerate themes resonant with Jekyll's character arc.

Atavism and Lombroso's Theory

  • Lombroso posited that some individuals are 'born criminal,' showcasing physical characteristics linked to crime.
    • Hyde exhibits these traits as shown by his described appearance.
  • This theme extends into Stevenson's other work, Olalla, recognizing gothic conventions of biological determinism.

Scotland and Victorian Britain Context

  • Edinburgh is divided between a historical 'old town' and a modern 'new town', indicating social stratification.
  • Many wealthier individuals left the old town, associated with crime and vice, creating a socioeconomic dichotomy.
  • It's considered insightful that despite the setting in London, the narrative reflects Edinburgh’s influence.
    • Critics like GK Chesterton remark that the novella emulates Edinburgh themes despite the London backdrop.
  • Victorian London was marked by industrialization, overcrowding, and stark crime rates, enhancing gothic literary motifs.

Laws and Social Norms

  • The Whitechapel Murders (1888) drew parallels to themes in the novella, highlighting societal fears concerning duality and morality.
  • Morality and charity were integral to maintaining societal status, establishing contrasts with characters like Jekyll.
  • Dr. Jekyll transitioning into Hyde symbolizes class and geographical divides within Victorian London.

Empire Pride and Class Structure

  • The Victorian period saw British Empire expansion and increased national pride, expressing itself through architecture and engineering advancements.
  • A pronounced class structure led to strict social mobility norms and was pivotal to moral expectations.

Homosexual Interpretation

  • Early readers often interpreted suggestions of a homosexual relationship between Jekyll and Hyde, connecting to themes of blackmail.
  • Prior to legal reform in 1967, societal implications related to homosexuality informed the characterization and reader interpretations in the novella.