Introduction: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert Lewis Stevenson Born 1850 ~ Edinburg, Scotland ~ Sickly Studied literature at Edinburg University Had to move to a warmer climate because of his deteriorating health His first great writing success was Treasure Island Doctors told him he would die in a few months, but he lived until 1894

Other Interesting Facts Robert Louis Stevenson has a good claim to be the inventor of the Sleeping Bag, taking a large fleece- lined sack with him to sleep on the journey through France described in his book Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes

Background  Stevenson was interested in what made up a person’s character: How a person can be both bad and good

Central Themes in Dr. Jekyll human ugliness originates in the soul people who succumb to the temptations of evil risk losing their capacity (ability) for good people who suppress, or restrain, their natural desires risk having them surface out of control.

First Interpretation: Man is born Evil RLS had a strict Christian and moral upbringing. The idea of good vs. evil was informed by his knowledge of the Bible. Thomas Hobbes thought that humans were naturally bad and would be like animals in a “state of nature” In Christianity, original sin says that people are born inclined toward evil and struggle to be good

Second Interpretation: Society makes us evil Context: Takes place in Victorian Era ( ) in London, England Members of the upper class in Victorian times were especially expected to behave virtuously and properly at all and times.

Society: A Class Divided Victorian society was divided. Social classes did not mix. Behavior, among members of the upper class, was expected to be exemplary at all times. The unrealistically rigid morality of upper class Londoners led many to live double lives.

2nd Interpretation (Continued) : Tabula Rasa The Enlightenment view was that people are born blank slates society shapes the person into good or evil Sigmund Freud, the father of psychotherapy, believed that human beings are powerfully influenced by impulses they are not aware of

Freud said there were three parts to a person’s psychology Ego- the conscious part of oneself (adult) Id- the unconscious part of oneself (childlike) Superego- as society, ethics, and morals. To many readers, Hyde represents Dr. Jekyll’s subconscious desire to be freed from society’s restrictions. People need to repress desires for society to work. Personality

What to consider… Are good and evil innate OR Is it society who makes us who we are? Are people basically good or basically bad? Can “good” people do “bad” things? Is everyone capable of doing horrible things such as the committing hideous crimes?

The Victorian Era 1830s to the beginning of 1900s Britain’s Queen Victoria ruled for sixty-four years Britain was leading economic and military power and controlled a vast empire changes include: railroads, postal system; improved medical and sanitary advances; government supported schools; growing industry and cities

Victorian period (continued) Poverty increases Empire’s power compromised by foreign wars Workers demand more power Women enter workforce Anxieties about changes inspire parts of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde