The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

By Robert Louis Stevenson

“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic horror story that explores the duality of human nature. The novel uses various literary devices, including foreshadowing, symbolism, and allegory, to build suspense and convey its underlying themes.

Themes 📚

1. Dual nature of man
2. Duality of human personality
3. The nature of evil and the consequences of indulging it
4. The limits of scientific knowledge and the dangers of unchecked experimentation
5. The idea of reputation and social status
6. The duality of light and darkness
7. The concept of addiction
8. The battle between good and evil
9. The role of societal expectations and norms in shaping an individual’s actions and identity
10. The notion of the uncanny and the fear of the unknown.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Foreshadowing: The author, Robert Louis Stevenson, uses foreshadowing to hint at the novel’s conclusion through subtle hints and clues throughout the story.
2. Symbolism: Stevenson uses the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as symbols for the duality of human nature and the battle between good and evil.
3. Irony: The novel is full of irony, especially the fact that Dr. Jekyll, who is seen as a good and respectable man, is in reality the evil Mr. Hyde.
4. Metaphor: Stevenson employs metaphor to describe the transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde as a sort of shedding of his outer skin to reveal his true self.
5. Personification: The author personifies the potion that transforms Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, giving it a will of its own.
6. Allusion: Stevenson alludes to the Bible and the story of Adam and Eve to emphasize the theme of sin and temptation.
7. Pathetic fallacy: The weather and setting of the novel mirror the emotional state of the characters and the dark and sinister mood of the story.
8. Juxtaposition: Stevenson places the respectable Dr. Jekyll and the evil Mr. Hyde in direct contrast to each other, highlighting their differences.
9. Flashback: The use of flashback helps to give the reader insight into the events that led up to the story’s present day and Dr. Jekyll’s transformation.
10. Imagery: The author uses vivid and descriptive imagery to create a haunting and eerie atmosphere, immersing the reader in the world of the novel.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
The strange will of Dr. Jekyll	Dr. Jekyll’s will, leaving everything to Mr. Hyde, foreshadows the connection between the two characters and the mystery that unfolds throughout the novel.
Mr. Hyde’s violent behavior	Mr. Hyde’s violent behavior, such as trampling a young girl and the murder of Sir Danvers Carew, foreshadows the dark, destructive nature of his character.
Dr. Lanyon’s reaction to Jekyll’s secret	Dr. Lanyon’s horror and subsequent death after learning Jekyll’s secret foreshadow the shocking and tragic revelation at the end of the novel.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde	Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde symbolize the duality of human nature, with Jekyll representing the respectable, rational side and Hyde representing the darker, more primal side.
The door to Jekyll’s laboratory	The door to Jekyll’s laboratory symbolizes the barrier between Jekyll’s public persona and his hidden, darker self.
The potion	The potion that transforms Jekyll into Hyde symbolizes the power of scientific experimentation and its potential to unleash dangerous forces.

3. Allegory

Example	Explanation
The story as a whole	The entire story serves as an allegory for the struggle between good and evil within each person and the consequences of indulging one’s darker side.
Jekyll’s transformation	Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde can be seen as an allegory for the loss of control and the potential for self-destruction when one’s darker side is allowed to take over.
The eventual dominance of Hyde	The eventual dominance of Hyde over Jekyll symbolizes the danger of giving in to one’s darker impulses and the difficulty of regaining control once that line has been crossed.

4. Setting

Example	Explanation
Foggy London streets	The foggy streets of Victorian London serve as a backdrop for the novel, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere that reflects the story’s themes.
Jekyll’s home and laboratory	Jekyll’s home and laboratory provide a setting that reinforces the duality of his character, with the respectable facade of his home contrasting with the hidden, darker laboratory.
Soho	The setting of Soho, where Hyde spends much of his time, represents the seedy, dangerous side of London and mirrors the dark nature of Hyde.

5. Suspense

Example	Explanation
The unknown connection between Jekyll and Hyde	The suspense surrounding the connection between Jekyll and Hyde keeps the reader engaged and drives the plot forward.
The search for Mr. Hyde	The search for Mr. Hyde after the murder of Sir Danvers Carew adds suspense as the characters try to uncover the truth about Hyde’s identity.
The locked laboratory	The locked laboratory adds suspense, as the characters and the reader are left to wonder what secrets Dr. Jekyll is hiding within.

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