Context: The 'Shilling Shocker' and Gothic Horror

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was initially published as a "shilling shocker" in 1885, a genre of affordable, spooky stories popular in late Victorian society. These tales, often released at Christmas and known as "Christmas crawlers," were influenced by traditional ghost stories and Gothic fiction.

Vocabulary: Gothic fiction - A type of horror literature involving mystery and suspense, typically set in gloomy, deserted locations like ruined castles.

The novel incorporates many elements of Gothic horror, challenging rationalism and inviting readers to explore a world of curses, submerged desires, and the unexplained. Jekyll's laboratory serves as a quintessential Gothic setting, symbolizing ruin and hidden desires.

Example: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (1843) is another example of a popular Christmas-themed ghost story from the Victorian era.

When reading Jekyll and Hyde, consider how Stevenson employs conventions of ghost stories and Gothic literature to create a sense of unease and horror. The novel's ability to unsettle readers and challenge their logical reasoning is a hallmark of the Gothic genre.

Science, Religion, and the Gothic in Victorian Literature

The Victorian era was marked by groundbreaking scientific discoveries in fields such as chemistry, biology, and medicine. However, these advancements were met with apprehension by some Victorians who saw science as a threat to their religious beliefs.

Many Victorian writers, including Stevenson, tapped into these public fears about science in their works. The Gothic genre provided a perfect vehicle for exploring the tension between scientific progress and traditional religious values.

Example: Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (1818), influenced by experiments with electricity, expresses concerns about scientists overstepping ethical boundaries.

In Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Stevenson uses the Gothic framework to examine the potential dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation. The novel reflects Victorian anxieties about the power of science to challenge established moral and religious norms.

Highlight: Consider how Jekyll's experiments, which blur the line between science and the supernatural, represent Victorian fears about the potential consequences of scientific advancement.

The conflict between science and religion in the novel mirrors the broader societal debates of the time. Stevenson's portrayal of Jekyll's transformation raises questions about the limits of human knowledge and the potential consequences of tampering with the natural order.

Quote: "Man is not truly one, but truly two." - This line from the novel encapsulates the central theme of duality, which Stevenson explores through both scientific and moral lenses.

The Gothic Elements in Jekyll and Hyde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde masterfully incorporates key elements of Gothic literature, creating a chilling atmosphere that enhances the novel's exploration of duality and moral ambiguity. Stevenson's use of Gothic conventions serves to unsettle readers and challenge their perceptions of reality and morality.

One of the most prominent Gothic elements in Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 1 is the setting. The foggy, gas-lit streets of London create a sense of mystery and foreboding, mirroring the hidden nature of Jekyll's experiments and Hyde's nocturnal activities. This gloomy urban landscape serves as a modern equivalent to the ruined castles and remote locations typical of earlier Gothic fiction.

Example: The description of the street where Hyde's mysterious door is located as "a sinister block of building" with a "blind forehead of discoloured wall" establishes an ominous tone from the outset.

The novel's emphasis on secrecy and the unexplained is another key Gothic element. The mystery surrounding Hyde's identity and his connection to Jekyll creates suspense and drives the narrative forward. This sense of the unknown and the potentially supernatural challenges the rational worldview of characters like Utterson and Lanyon.

Highlight: The Gothic genre often explores the tension between rationality and the supernatural, a theme central to Jekyll and Hyde's narrative.

Stevenson also employs the Gothic trope of the doppelgänger or double, with Hyde serving as Jekyll's evil counterpart. This exploration of the divided self taps into deep-seated fears about the nature of identity and the potential for darkness within seemingly respectable individuals.

Quote: "If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek." This play on words by Utterson underscores the novel's theme of duality and the search for hidden truths.

The violence in Jekyll and Hyde is another Gothic element that contributes to the story's horror. Hyde's brutal attacks, particularly the murder of Sir Danvers Carew, shock both the characters and readers, highlighting the savage nature lurking beneath the veneer of Victorian civility.

Vocabulary: Doppelgänger - A ghostly double or counterpart of a living person, often representing the evil or dark side of their nature.

By skillfully weaving these Gothic elements throughout the narrative, Stevenson creates a haunting tale that continues to captivate readers and explore the darker aspects of human nature.