‘Jekyll and Hyde’ is about a man’s dual nature

The novel reflects the strict values of Victorian society, in which people were expected to be restrained and appear respectable at all times.

Jekyll and Hyde has a strong message:

It is about human nature- everyone has good and evil inside them. If people explore their dark side, it can lead to problems, but hiding and denying it can cause problems too.

Robert Louis Stevenson was interested in man’s different sides

As a child, Stevenson was influenced by the strict Christian beliefs of his nanny, Alison Cunningham. As an adult Stevenson was interested in the behaviour of Victorian gentleman- the way they maintained an outwardly respectable appearance, but secretly indulged in immoral behaviour. He was particularly fascinated by the life of Deacon Brodie, a respectable cabinet maker who led a secret life as a robber.

Victorian gentlemen tried to hide their darker side

In Victorian middle and upper class society, it was important to look respectable. As a result, people would hide their true feelings, as reputation was very important. They did not like to talk about anything that might damage their reputation or upset their apparently civilised society

1850-Born

1886-Published’Jekyll and Hyde’

1894-Died, aged 44