Blog Post #8

The mystery gang investigates late 1800s London when some spooky business goes on outside the home of a respected doctor. "Dr. Jekyll! It was you the whole time! Gosh, who would've known that YOU were Mr. Hyde," exclaims Fred. "I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for my shameful dual personality that encompasses the traits I repressed as they didn't align with the current norms for success," writes Dr. Jekyll.

Step 1:

Excerpts: 
From chapter 2: Mr. Utterson stepped out and touched him on the shoulder…, ending with ...he had unlocked the door and disappeared into the house.
- From chapter 6, starting with: Now that that evil influence..., and ending with ...and the knowledge is more than he can bear.

Investigation:
The two excerpts in question are key in distinguishing the more primal nature of humanity. In chapter 2, Utterson himself meets Hyde and the reader is met with one of the only instances of dialogue from Hyde. Through this dialogue, the truly evil aspect of Hyde is revealed. His actions are described as somewhat animalistic. He "snarls" and "hisses" on multiple occasions at Utterson. As well as this, Hyde is also referenced as "the other" or without formal recognition to show Hyde as less of a person and more of a creature. The same pattern is followed to distinguish Dr. Jekyll above, but in the opposite way. Dr. Jekyll's image isn''t withheld like Hyde, but rather described in an extensive manner. Stevenson states that Jekyll's face "seemed to open and brighten." Even when Jekyll begins to fade back into isolation again, he is described so in a humane manner. He hides as the knowledge of doom is too horrific and his soul is weighed down.

Although these patterns hold similar formats, the ideas are developed in far different ways. Mr. Hyde is shown specifically through speech and actions, while Dr. Jekyll is developed by his appearance and some other character's reactions. For Mr. Hyde, his feelings are never revealed specifically and all that the reader has to characterize Hyde is how he speaks (primal) and what he does (violence and murder). This is shown in great contrast to Dr. Jekyll as his appearance reveals that he is undergoing very complex feelings that are revealed later. As well as this, the other character's have very in-depth reactions to Dr. Jekyll's behavior which strengthens the reader's understanding of Jekyll's normal behavior. It can be seen by the strong transition from open to close of Jekyll in Chapter 6 that he has the ability to make very close connections to those around him through the glee and subsequent sorrow that Utterson feels. Although, Stevenson develops the two character's in different ways, they work just as well to create motifs (i.e. appearance vs. reality).

Step 2:
Jekyll Hyde

To live a lie To live a lie

is for all but I
is to survive

By day, I am what
I need to be
                                                          By night, I see how
                                                          Living should be
It's hard to stay
so black and white
                                                          Embrace the grey,
                                                          It's quite alright
Goodbye my friends,
my days are numbered
                                                          Why stop that now,
                                                          We've only just begun

You're welcome, world .                    You're welcome, world.


By Connor LaRocca, esteemed poet and writer

Comments

Popular Posts