Dr. Jekyll-Hyde

Stevenson, Robertson Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Scotland. Longmans, Green & co: Jan. 1886.

The iconic characteristics of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have penetrated English-speaking society for more than a century. I was curious as to how the ideas originated, and where they come into effect. This book is a revered classic, and I was curious as to why it was so famous.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is less about the actual characters than it is about the inner struggle and turmoil of the being. Jekyll-Hyde, as it is more accurately described, expresses the inner turmoil between sinful urges and moral digression. Both have distinct conflicting ideals that tear the singular being apart emotionally. Each decision and reprocussion are looked at from both perspectives of the same person, and it is important to see Jekyll's view on Hyde's murders and how he views them from a third-person perspective.

I think my favorite character in this whole book is the lawyer, Utterson. Stevenson does well in creating a neutralized main character that helps push the story along. Mr. Utterson has the pleasure of being the holder of both the troubling will and the ability to examine all articles left by Jekyll-Hyde. Utterson is a character that all branch from, and he is the exact synthesis of what a main character should be in a mystery novel.

Many people who tell me they have read this book do not recommend it, and that it is lengthy and long-winded. I completely disagree with this reasoning, due to the proper nineteenth century english giving it a mysterious tone, while each word is excellently spent on the story. The book is short enough to be readable in this format, and long enough to carry the story to an interesting peak. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good psychological account of self-turmoil.

It is important for us to use this book to realize that there is no perfect good or evil. There is never a decision that is clear as a bell, nor is there a decision that should always be made in every situation. Each choice leads to a greater effect, but we must realize that this is not a linear logic, but a cyclical one, and that this book exemplifies a possibility of righting wrongs.