Jekyll and Hyde: Reputation and Societal Pressures
Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', written in 1886, offers a profound exploration of reputation in Jekyll and Hyde against the backdrop of Victorian society. The novella delves into the psychological impact of rapid industrial, scientific, and technological advancements on Victorian gentlemen, highlighting the suffocating nature of societal expectations.
Stevenson's work draws inspiration from a sensational real-life scandal involving Deacon William Brody in 1788. This historical event, which captivated the Victorian public, serves as a foundation for Stevenson's examination of duality in human nature.
The narrative employs an omniscient third-person narrator to observe how characters navigate friendships within the confines of extreme discretion. This storytelling approach allows readers to witness the characters' struggles with maintaining their reputations while grappling with their inner desires.
Highlight: The preservation of reputation emerges as a paramount concern for the characters in the novella, often at the expense of truth and genuine relationships.
In Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to the characters of Utterson and Enfield, who exemplify the Victorian obsession with reputation. Their conversation reveals a societal norm of avoiding gossip at all costs, even when confronted with potentially scandalous information.
Quote: Enfield states, "the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask," highlighting the prevailing attitude towards potentially reputation-damaging information.
Stevenson uses the character of Utterson to illustrate the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires. Despite being portrayed as eminently trustworthy and respectable, Utterson experiences a sense of envy towards those who are not bound by such strict moral codes.
Vocabulary: Id and Superego - These Freudian concepts, although not formally introduced until after the novella's publication, are explored through the characters' internal struggles. The id represents primal human drives, while the superego embodies moral constraints.
The novella touches on themes that would later be formalized in Freudian psychology, such as the conflict between the id and superego. This psychological exploration adds depth to the characters' struggles with reputation and societal norms.
Example: Utterson's reluctance to open Lanyon's letter due to "professional honour and faith to his dear friend" demonstrates the conflict between curiosity (id) and societal obligations (superego).
Stevenson's work provides a critical examination of Victorian societal norms in Jekyll and Hyde, highlighting the suffocating nature of reputation-based social structures and their impact on individual psychology.
