The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Published 1886
Robert Louis Stevenson born in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 13, 1850 At the age of seventeen, he enrolled at Edinburgh University to study engineering Novelist, poet, essayist Loved to travel Married Fanny May 1880 who changed the rest of his life Died December 3, 1894 Books: Treasure Island Kidnapped
About the Novella Written in 1885 (during Victorian Age) while getting better from an illness Idea came to him in a nightmare…upset wife woke him up because she interrupted the tale He read the tale to his wife after he wrote it, and she made suggestions He burned it and rewrote it in 3 days When published, people thought it was a grand work
Victorian Age Queen Victoria ruled England 1837-1901 Great deal of technological advancement, economic prosperity and reform Rigid standards of personal behavior Europe gained power in the world Literature of this age tends to come closer to daily life reflects its practical problems and interests becomes a powerful instrument for human progress deviates from "art for art's sake“ asserts its moral purpose Age of doubt and pessimism Influence of science is felt Idealistic age where the great ideals like truth, justice, love, brotherhood are emphasized by poets, essayists and novelists
Characters Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde…prominent doctor who has covered up a secret life of cruel deeds Dr. Lanyon…friend of Dr. Jekyll Mr. Gabriel John Utterson…lawyer and loyal friend of Jekyll’s Poole…butler Richard Enfield…Mr. Utterson’s cousin Mr. Newcomen…works for Scotland Yard Sir Danvers Carew…member of Parliament…killed in streets of London by Mr. Hyde
Setting London 1880’s Dr. Jekyll’s home…grand neighborhood now in decay Lanyon’s home…Cavendish Square Mr. Hyde’s house…Soho
Point Of View Told from different points of view First 2 sections…third person limited…the narrator reports the feelings and thoughts of Utterson but not those of other characters
Themes Duality of human nature Importance of reputation…keeping up appearances Good vs evil
Final Thoughts Do you agree? Without Jekyll there could never have been a Hyde and without Hyde one can never fully know Jekyll… What drives people to explore the unknown… Why do scientists take risks…