Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde is a classic novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in 1886 and has since become a classic in English literature. The story is set in Victorian London and is about the duality of human nature. The story follows Dr Jekyll, a respected scientist, who creates a potion that transforms him into Mr Hyde, a violent and evil alter ego.
The Characters
The two main characters in the story are Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll is a respected doctor and scientist who is well-liked in his community. He is described as being a tall, handsome and well-respected man. Mr Hyde, on the other hand, is a short, ugly and evil man who is feared by all who know him. He is the complete opposite of Dr Jekyll and represents everything that is evil in the world.
The Plot
The story begins with Mr Utterson, a lawyer, who is concerned about his friend Dr Jekyll. He has noticed that Dr Jekyll has become reclusive and is spending more and more time in his laboratory. Mr Utterson is worried that Dr Jekyll is becoming addicted to drugs and is trying to help him.
Dr Jekyll then invites Mr Utterson to a dinner party where he introduces him to Mr Hyde. Mr Utterson is immediately repulsed by Mr Hyde and begins to investigate his relationship with Dr Jekyll. He discovers that Mr Hyde is actually Dr Jekyll's alter ego and that Dr Jekyll has been experimenting with a potion that transforms him into Mr Hyde.
Dr Jekyll then confesses to Mr Utterson that he has been using the potion to indulge in his evil desires without fear of being caught. However, he soon realizes that he is losing control of Mr Hyde and that he is becoming more and more evil. He decides to stop taking the potion, but is unable to do so.
The story ends with Mr Hyde taking over Dr Jekyll's body completely and Dr Jekyll disappearing forever.
The Themes
Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde explores several themes, including the duality of human nature, the consequences of indulging in evil desires and the dangers of playing god. The story highlights the fact that every person has two sides to their personality – a good side and an evil side – and that it is up to them to choose which side to embrace.
The story also shows the consequences of indulging in evil desires. Dr Jekyll believes that he can indulge in his evil desires without any consequences, but he soon learns that there are serious consequences to his actions.
The story also highlights the dangers of playing god. Dr Jekyll believes that he can control his alter ego and that he can use his potion to become the perfect man. However, he soon learns that he cannot control what he has created and that his alter ego is more powerful than he ever imagined.
The Legacy
Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. The story has also inspired countless works of literature and has become a classic in English literature.
The story has also had a profound impact on psychology. The concept of the alter ego, or the idea that every person has two sides to their personality, has become a popular topic of study in psychology.
Conclusion
Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde is a classic novella that explores the duality of human nature. It is a cautionary tale about the consequences of indulging in evil desires and the dangers of playing god. The story has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has become a classic in English literature.