Luke's review of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson

(Contains spoilers) A chilling masterpiece of the horror genre, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde emphatically emanated the idea of a split personality to a Victorian audience.

First published in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson's shocking novella observes the duality of human nature, alongside humanity's expanse for evil. Influenced by Protestantism, Darwinism and an obsession with immorality, the story addresses the Victorian conflict between the explicable and the supernatural. Stevenson's fascination with leading a double life is reflected by his former works of Deacon Brodie and The Body Snatcher, however it was The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde that truly cemented his darkest fantasy.

“He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. ”

The story of Jekyll and Hyde unravels as a third-person psychological case study, following the conscience of Mr Utterson. Utterson is a respectable lawyer who adopts the role of detective, searching for the answers behind Henry Jekyll's mystery. His close friendship with Mr Enfield and a visit to Dr Lanyon eventually allow him to crack the code, however there are many disquieting incidences along the way. The pair are so disturbed by Enfield's failure to describe the figure of Mr Hyde that they both pledge to never to speak of the man again.

However, the contentious name on Henry Jekyll's will deeply unsettles Utterson and urges him to take action:

"If he be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek"

It is here that we see Jekyll's desperate attempt to retain his evil counterpart, serving as the plot's major conflict. This imbalance ultimately forged today's terminology of the "Jekyll and Hyde personality", used in reference to two polar opposites.

This brings me to Stevenson’s remarkably well-constructed characters. The novella controversially implies that the suppression of the highly regarded gentlemen is the underlying cause for his sinful longings. Mr Utterson embodies the Victorian ideal, as he does not act on his urges and desires. Dr Jekyll, on the other hand, falls into the grasp of compulsion, and things do not turn out too well for him...

What best propels The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde is the novella's setting. Set in Soho, London, the mysteriously dense fog accelerates the gothic tale by emphasising themes of isolation and obscurity. The secluded, foggy backdrop almost embodies a character in itself, concealing man's deepest desires. Such a prestigious urban setting was revolutionary for its time, however it is now a widely-used stereotypical environment throughout gothic literature.

Very few are unfamiliar with the Jekyll and Hyde persona, however the story brings forth so much more than that. It is a narrative of integrity, perception, insecurity, class and temptation, ultimately comprising a prodigious and thought-provoking mystery. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is therefore a must-read for everyone, particularly fitting for the sinister month of October.

Stay in the know, and check out what I've been reading on The Storygraph:

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson

adventurous, dark, mysterious, reflective, tense, medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

• Strong character development? It's complicated

• Loveable characters? No

• Diverse cast of characters? No

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5/5 stars