In what ways does Dr Jekyll connect to the ideals of Victorian England?
Jekyll’s attraction to the freedom from restraint that Hyde enjoys mirrors Victorian England’s secret attraction to allegedly savage non-Western cultures, even as Europe claimed superiority over them. This attraction also informs such books as Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
Why would Jekyll and Hyde be frightening to Victorian readers?
Hyde is so terrifying to readers because he is “deformed” — visibly disfigured and physically impaired. She points to Stevenson’s dehumanization of Hyde as “hardly human” and a “disgustful curiosity” — he is not so much a person as something to be feared and hated through the lens of his disfigurement.
What role did reputation play in everyday life during the Victorian era?
Reputation in the Victorian Age Despite perceived shortcomings in one’s family, personality, wealth, and so on, the Victorians always put up a front to maintain a good appearance and uphold their reputation.
What are the themes in Jekyll and Hyde?
This section looks at the Key themes in Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
- Duality of man. Jekyll asserts that “man is not truly one, but truly two,”
- Good versus Evil. Dr.
- Repression.
- Friendship and Loyalty.
- Appearances and Reputation.
- Curiosity.
- Lies and Deceit.
- Violence.
What is the context of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Science and Industry in the Victorian era: Stevenson’s story portrays London at the height of the Victorian era, when scientific and industrial progress were rising on an exponential curve.
What does Hyde represent in Victorian society?
High Victorian society was very worried about the degeneration of the human species. Since the Victorians were so concerned with progress, the plight of the poor and the offenses of criminals made it seem like progress had stagnated. Hyde represents this fear.
What is the importance of reputation in Jekyll and Hyde?
The Importance of Reputation For the characters in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, preserving one’s reputation emerges as all important. The prevalence of this value system is evident in the way that upright men such as Utterson and Enfield avoid gossip at all costs; they see gossip as a great destroyer of reputation.
How is Jekyll and Hyde relevant today?
The book is relevant today because in the same way that Jekyll is addicted to Hyde, people in modern society are addicted to alcohol and cigarettes to relieve pressure. The message in this book is if we ignore our evil side it will return with more vengeance which you wouldn’t be able to control.