Intro
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is not only a novella, but a social commentary on the evil living inside us all. That being said, this short story is one of the most famous works of influential literature (classic) of all time, and a great recommendation for your next read.
Going through a full review and analysis, by the end of this blog post, you will better understand the nature of good and evil within us all and how, when unchecked, one’s true villainy can take over.
One interesting argument will also be analyzed: Is Dr. Jekyll actually symbolic of a drug addict?
- Note: Yes, the writing may be a bit inaccessible to the modern reader. However, like everything, it takes practice. The more you reread, the easier it will become.
- Additionally, see how psych-related terms can help dissect each character and what they represent.
Want to read more classics? Check out the star for more recommendations.
Order of Events:
Summary of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Evil takes its true form in Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s counter personality, which he dwarfs into after taking a special potion he created to allow the worst of himself to come to the surface. Not only does his physical appearance change entirely, but he is also a truly monstrous figure, as evidenced by his murderous actions in this short story.
Not only does Mr. Hyde commit heinous acts, but, eventually, he grows stronger, attempting to be the true form of the doctor once and for all. Dr. Jekyll’s friend, Mr. Utterson, tries desperately to uncover the secret behind the two faces. However, he discovers the truth all too late, finding his friend dead with only a letter for closure.
Perspective
The story is told through the perspective of a neutral party, a lawyer and good friend of Dr. Jekyll: Mr. Utterson. The story follows his life, weaving in and out of the crimes committed by Edward Hyde, and the strange shift in behavior of his friend, Henry Jekyll.
Remember, narrative perspective is crucial. Ultimately, it changes how a story is perceived through the reader’s eyes, what matters, and what doesn’t.
Check out “Most Valuable Way to Choose Narrative Perspective” to better understand the importance of perspective in storytelling.
Neutral Narration
Mr. Utterson’s neutrality allows the reader to see the events through logic, without being persuaded by emotion, elevating how evil can distort another. Utterson doesn’t understand what has become of his friend and simply is curious.
Through the short story, Utterson learns that if Jekyll disappears, all his wealth should pass to a man named Edward Hyde. Having never heard of him, Utterson is mostly confused by the word “disappears.”
What possibly could make his friend up and leave?
He determines that since he cannot find other documentation of Hyde that this man is a disgrace and a blackmark on Jekyll’s good image, saying,
“I thought it was madness (…) and now I begin to fear it is disgrace.”
Solely from this reaction, can we see that Utterson has good intentions. He isn’t looking for gain or inspecting the new, strange occurrences with a predetermined bias. Instead, he wants to correct what is wrong, like the lawman he is.
The question drives Utterson into leading his own personal investigation of Jekyll. He finds out from Jekyll himself that Hyde is, in fact, a part of his will for good cause, and if he were to disappear, that the agreements shall be honored.
Disturbingly, Jekyll is quite defensive on the subject, which only entices Utterson to continue his investigation.
Psychoanalytic Theory
This wouldn’t be a true analysis if it didn’t include psychology. Quality writers always utilize the true behavior of individuals around them in their own characters. Stevenson depicts the struggle between good and evil in Jekyll. However, by writing the story from Utterson’s perspective, can we see the Freudian psychoanalytical theory of the Id, Ego, and Superego.
For more psychology-related tips on writing, check out the following blog posts.
According to SimplePyschology’s article “Id, Ego, and Superego” by PhD Saul McLeod,
“The Id represents our basic instincts and desires, seeking immediate gratification. The Ego, guided by reality, balances the Id’s impulses with social norms. The Superego is our moral conscience, pushing us to follow ethical standards. Together, they shape our behavior and personality.”
Throughout the story, all three personas of our personalities are fully embodied by each character.
The Id- Edward Hyde
The Id is the part of your brain that is focused on immediate gratification, instinct-driven.
The Id takes its true life form in Edward Hyde. Not only is he the true embodiment of evil within Jekyll, but he also acts without considering the consequences of his thirst for violence and destruction.
The Ego- Dr. Henry Jekyll
The Ego is the part of your brain that is the balance between the Id and the Superego. It serves as the reality principle, trying to satisfy the Id in a socially acceptable way.
The Ego can be seen in the character of Dr. Henry Jekyll. He was the one to create a potion to separate the good and evil within himself. He does this to act out his evil impulses, while still allowing himself to return to Jekyll, a socially accepted and respected man of science.
The Superego- Gabriel Utterson
The Superego is the part of your brain that strives for ideal behavior, perfection in the eyes of society.
Mr. Utterson, the lawyer, can be seen as the Superego of the story. Not only is the tale from his perspective, a man of law, motivated to praise the just and punish evil, but because of this, the dual character of Jekyll is that much more prevalent and worrisome. With Utterson’s personality and profession, his narration allows the reader to neutrally see the crimes committed by Hyde as undoubtedly true evil.
Henry Jekyll
Jekyll grew up in a wealthy family and eventually became a doctor of science. Despite his pleasant upbringing, he felt an evil within him that needed to come to the surface. It is noted that he felt this duality of good and evil in others around him, but, due to his status, he was inclined to feel embarrassed and act in secret.
“Many a man would have even blazoned such irregularities as I was guilty of; but from the high views that I had set before me, I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame.”
This evil became his obsession. He admits it was not uncommon for others to allow their evil side to surface, but, from his position in society, he felt compelled to hide more.
Jekyll represents the Ego. He understands the duality of good and evil in others, yet believes, due to his position, he cannot allow his evil side to take over.
To remedy this, Jekyll creates a potion to morph into his evil side into an entirely separate individual, almost masquerading as the identity of evil without its consequences.
As Edward Hyde, Jekyll can play out his animalistic desire to do evil acts. However, as his face is not attached to his crimes, this is his loophole to relieve the desire to act with ill intent towards others.
Edward Hyde- the Embodiment of Evil
Hyde is shorter than Jekyll. He is described as having an unknown characteristic of deformity, which is unpleasant to the eye.
“Particularly small and particulary wicked-looking.”
His first act of violence involves trampling a young girl to death. Later, he murders a politician by beating him with a cane.
“Mr. Hyde broke out of all bounds and clubbed him to the earth. And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot, and hailing down a storm of blows, under which the bones were audibly shattereted.”
His actions are parallel to a wild animal. He acts without empathy or logic; only pure evil. We can see his need for instant gratification and his lack of judgment.
Importantly, he is much smaller than Jekyll. When Jekyll takes the potion to transform, he shrinks down. Jekyll even has to create a reliable plan for this transformation, especially if he cannot change back.
- He chooses a separate house for Hyde, with his own staff trained to follow his orders.
- He buys clothes that would fit him.
- Lastly, he writes in his will that Hyde should receive all of his wealth should he “disappear.”
As the story progresses, Hyde grows stronger, showing that Jekyll’s evil side is taking over. In one instance, for example, without taking the potion, Jekyll wakes up as Hyde, unable to change back. Another instance, Jekyll is sitting on a park bench and suddenly morphs into Hyde.
Hyde represents the animalistic impulses within all of us. He is the embodiment of our need for instant gratification despite the repercussions from society. He is unapologetic and murderous.
Our Narrator Utterson
Mr. Utterson is introduced to us as a reasonable man of the law. He follows the rules and respects them as necessary. Having long been a good friend of Henry Jekyll, the introduction of his will leads to a further investigation.
Utterson’s good nature is what carries the story along, worried for his friend’s safety and utterly shocked at Jekyll’s affiliation with the murdering Hyde.
“You know me: I am a man to be trusted. Make a clean breast of this in confidence; and I make no doubt I can get you out of this.”
Utterson wants to help his friend. He acts as the Superego in this story, trying to allow the evil in us to be reasonably/safely displayed within the laws of society.
As Utterson slowly follows the strange acts Hyde displays, he all the while grows worried for his trusted friend Jekyll.
The Evil in Us All
Stevenson wrote one of the most influential short stories of all time. Not only can each character be dissected over and over again, but the story also shows a social commentary we all can relate to.
There is an inherent evil within us. We all desire the chance to act maliciously, without consequence. However, society shapes people in different ways to allow this evil to come out safely and without backlash.
Henry Jekyll understood the evil in others among him. However, his position in society created embarrassment around the idea, making him create a potion to finally have the freedom for his evil side to come out without any social repercussions.
Ultimately, his evil side grew stronger the more he gave it freedom. Hyde began to take over Jekyll’s body, eventually leading to the doctor’s suicide.
Drug Addiction
Many scholars make the case that the transformation between the dual personalities of Jekyll and Hyde is actually a representation of drug addiction.
After Jekyll creates the potion, bit by bit, he starts needing it more and more. He grows obsessed with taking the potion and letting his evil side come out. Could this be a display of what those on drugs look and act like?
Addiction Takes Over
Not only is there a more morbid physical change as Hyde, but his actions lack reason and remorse, like someone who isn’t in full control of their faculties. In certain instances, Jekyll even admits to craving the transformation.
In the middle of the story, Jekyll returns to society as the good gentleman he was before. However, it doesn’t take long before his evil side needs to be set loose. He takes the potion again and isolates himself, this time for months on end.
Now more sick than ever, he refuses visitors, locking himself away as he struggles to get the correct potion to return to his normal state.
Parrally, this could be symbolic of a drug addict. At first, they feel they are in control of their substance abuse, only partaking here and there. However, as they take the drug more, they become reliant on it. Even after a short recovery, the voice of evil returns to haunt them back into their bad habits.
Sickly Appearance then Euphoric Mental State
What’s more, Hyde is sickly looking like a drug addict who has lost control over their health. Let’s break down Jekyll’s statement of how the potion made him feel.
“The most racking pangs succeeded: a grinding in the bones, deadly nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannont be exceeded at the hour of birth or death. Then these agonies began swiftyly to subside (…) I felt younger, lighter, happier in body.”
Jekyll says he felt pain, then suddenly better than he has ever felt. This transition can be described when taking drugs as well. At first, you are sick from the substance, then it kicks into your bloodstream, and a euphoric state takes over.
The intense relief, alongside the chemical reaction in your brain, makes the pain bearable, leading to an increased intake of it. Even after Jekyll understands Hyde has started committing murder, he doesn’t stop his substance abuse. Rather, he creates a plan for if he can not get “clean.”
Other Scholarly Opinions
To quote Medium in their article, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Portrait of Drug Addiction“
Jekyll, in order to rid himself of Hyde, commits suicide and that is the last we hear of the Doctor. This is not all too bizarre because, “The addict’s despair sometimes animates thoughts of suicide, however, especially if he is compelled to confront public ridicule, social humiliation, loss of his job, divorce, or other catastrophic consequences of his addiction” (Wright 259). Jekyll was caught for the murder of a man even though at the time he was “Hyde”, there was no other solution, and his addiction ate him.
Jekyll understands his addiction has become uncontrollable. He commits suicide, leaving a note for his friends as his final act to escape his evil/addiction.
When Jekyll returns to himself, he not only has symptoms of depression, but also withdrawal. He is noted to be tired and looking more sickly than usual.
Note on Names
Strange case? Yes! Strange names? Definitely! Like everything with writing, even character names are extremely intentional. Read more below.
Henry Jekyll- Jekyll has been discussed to stand for je kill or the universal “I kill” across all languages (to foreshadow the darker side of Jekyll later to be exposed). However, ironically, Stevenson actually named this character after a childhood friend.
Edward Hyde: Hyde is more self-explanatory. Hyde or hide clearly suggests that this evil is hidden within us all.
Gabriel John Utterson: Not only does he have a very Christian name, but his first name is obviously a nod to the angel from the bible. The naming of the lawyer represents his good nature and understanding of what is right and wrong.
Note: In an interview with Stevenson himself, he says that Jekyll is actually pronounced (Gee-kill). Funny, how every pop culture reenactment of this story has incorrectly mispronounced this famous figure of fiction.
Recommendations
Yes, five out of five stars is the rating, and well deserved!
A stunning short story, Stevenson has created a classic worthy of longevity and deep analysis. Each read through, a new perspective can be gained and examined. This story is truly a marvel for its time, showcasing the evil each of us desperately wants to free.
However, there is also a deep social commentary here: the higher up in society you are, the more you need to create a persona or hide these impulses to maintain good faith with others.
Lastly, this story explores the extent to which someone can go before the consequences take over. Another way to see this story is the idea of escapism through substance abuse.
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