The Representation of evil in Robert Louis Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Example for Free

The Representation of mephistophelian in Robert Louis Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde EssayIn 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published his short novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A happen theme in the novella is that of evil, a popular subject in Victorian literature as it is such an interesting concept to interpret.The story was clique in London, a city put crossways in the novella as being a dark, intimidating place (as most of the scenes were set in the night- era), and where otherwise respectable men and women indulged in evil activities such as gambling, sex, violence and drugs. Stevenson makes hu macrocosmy references to the id and self-importance, which Sigmund Freud wrote close to earlier in the 20th century. Freud believed that the id and ego were in constant battle with champion another, the id being the unchained self, and the ego a personality you project on gild. The id very much represents the evil side of existence in Stevensons novel la, and this is shown when the respectable Dr. Jekyll takes the potion to release Hyde, his animalistic id.Stevenson was plagued by ill-health as a pincer, and was taken c be of by a nurse. The nurse was a strong Christian, and thrust stories upon him of evil people burning in madhouse for eternity, and good people being taken to heaven. Stevenson disagreed with the belief that people were born either good or evil, rather that they were born as both. Sigmund Freud wrote that when a child is born, they are id-ridden, meaning that they demand instant satisfaction. He believed that as a child grows, their ego is formed around social morals, norms and taboos. Stevenson seems to suggest that as the ego suppresses the id, the ids affect on behavior becomes stronger, ca apply people to indulge in activities regarded as being evil.Stevenson similarly uses symbolism to convey evil. The doors used by Jekyll and Hyde are an example of symbolism. In chapter 1 The Story of the Door, Steven son describes the door used by Hyde. The door, which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained. This immediately gives the image of someone who doesnt care astir(predicate) appearance or image. Mr. Hyde using this door shows that he isnt respectable and he needs to hide away. The localisation of the door also suggests the evil being hidden away, down a back alley, deep inside a persons mind.I dont believe Mr. Hydes actions are evil. By definition, evil actions are conscious decisions to have a negative effect on something, and that contradicts the whole concept of the id. The id is something that all humans are born with, and, as Freud wrote, does not have k todayledge of good and evil, only that its desires demand instant satisfaction. What comes across to the crowd and audition as an evil action because no flicker of remorse is shown, is actually not intended.The first time we hear about him is when we are told of a madman knocking down a small chi ld and walkingstraight over her. It sounds like nothing to hear, but it was hellishto see. It wasnt like a man it was like some damned Juggernaut. The phrase juggernaut suggests Mr. Hyde is amoral, not evil.Hyde isnt bothered about who or what he hurts he doesnt have a conscience to speak of. He never feels guilty of his actions. As he gets more than out of control, he acts more like an animal, and quite insanely. And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his dupe under foot.When Jekyll tries to control his evil side, after a while, it doesnt work because, as stated before, when the evil is strangled it comes back more powerful than before. Jekyll starts to change into Hyde without taking the potion. Hyde is gradually taking over and Jekyll is becoming more evil. In chapter 7 we see this happening. Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield are standing below the window where Mr. Jekyll is sitting. Suddenly they see something which shocks and scares them froze the transmission line of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down, but that glimpse had been sufficient. This shows that Jekylls evil side is increasing with time and starting to control him. It also shows that Jekyll is becoming more strung-out on the antidote to stop him becoming Hyde and to keep the evil in check, rather than before, when he was using it to isolate his evil side.Other characters always react with shock and horror to Mr. Hyde thisis because he is so abominable looking and primitive. The image scareda lot of people and as Hyde is rude and unsociable no one likes himor is prepared to talk to him. I had taken a loathing to the man atfirst sight. His appearance and manner also provoked a bad reaction from people. He gave me one look, so horrifying that it brought out the sweat on me like running. The haunting sense of unexpressed imperfection with which the fugitiveimpresses his beholders.Jekyll is the only person who does not reac t with horror at Hyde. Andyet when I looked upon that ugly idol in the glass, I was conscious ofno repugnance, rather of a leap of welcome. This, too, was I.He realises that the man staring back at him from the mirror was himself in a different, more evil form.At the time Stevenson was writing the novella, people were veryjudgmental of those who looked different. This included people withall sorts of different disabilities, which are now widely accepted.Back then, these deformed people would have been shut away and often the public melodic theme that only a deformed or evil soul could cause such deformities on the outside. These real, lamentably common reactions from the late 1800s probably had a huge influence on the attitudes that Stevensons characters had towards Hyde in the book.The book seems to refer evil with animal quite frequently. This can be seen in the way the book describes how Hyde acts, but also in the way he speaks, often using the term hissed and croaked. In mor e religions, certain animals are associated with evil, like in the bible, where a snake was personified as Satan. This can be linked to the then late published theory of evolution, which shocked many people. Darwins theory stated that animals evolved, rather than being created by god, which contradicted the heavy Christian Victorians beliefs. It seems ironic that Darwin was a man of the church, trying to prove religion right.It seems to me that Robert Louis Stevenson, while writing this novella, set out to make the repressed Victorian society think about its morals and beliefs, and, like many great writers, to challenge the public to think in a new way about themselves and the society they live in.