The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, second edition - Deepstash

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ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others...

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

17

104 reads

Duality of Human Nature

  • Dr. Jekyll illustrates the perpetual battle between good and evil within every individual.
  • Hyde’s unchecked actions reveal the consequences of suppressing one’s darker impulses.
  • The story highlights how morality is a delicate balance influenced by both internal and external forces.

18

92 reads

The Power of Perspective

  • The narrative shifts through multiple viewpoints, enhancing suspense and depth.
  • Utterson’s observations provide an outsider’s lens into Jekyll’s mysterious life.
  • Stevenson uses varying perspectives to slowly unveil the truth, maintaining reader engagement.

16

80 reads

Moral Consequences of Ambition

  • Jekyll’s experiments reflect the dangers of prioritizing scientific progress over ethics.
  • His ambition to separate good from evil leads to unintended chaos and destruction.
  • The story underscores the need for responsibility in the pursuit of knowledge.

16

77 reads

Transformation as a Metaphor

  • Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde symbolizes the unleashing of repressed desires.
  • The physical changes reflect the psychological cost of living a double life.
  • The duality serves as a warning about the dangers of denying one’s true self.

16

64 reads

Hyde as the Shadow Self

  • Hyde represents the raw, primal aspects of Jekyll’s personality left unchecked.
  • His violent nature contrasts sharply with Jekyll’s genteel exterior, embodying duality.
  • Hyde’s dominance symbolizes the consequences of giving in to baser instincts.

17

61 reads

Societal Judgment and Isolation

  • Jekyll’s fear of judgment forces him to hide his experiments and true nature.
  • The story critiques Victorian society’s obsession with maintaining appearances.
  • Isolation becomes a recurring theme, showing the cost of living under societal expectations​

17

59 reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

gbiondizoccai

Cardiologist, scientist, and former airborne officer

CURATOR'S NOTE

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the duality of human nature through contrasting viewpoints and complex character development. The story delves into the internal struggle between morality and primal instincts, revealing the consequences of suppressing desires. Its layered narrative critiques societal judgment and highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition.

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