Topic > Appearance and Personality: Duality of Human Nature in "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

Index IntroductionAppearance and Personality in Dr Jekyll and Mr. HydeConclusionReferencesIntroductionStevenson writes about the duality of humankind: the concept that a single human being has good and bad inside them. Stevenson explains how everyone's attitude has positive and negative sides, but what is important is how you act and the choices you make. The decisions that people make determine whether a person is successful or not. In Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Doctor Jekyll is an educated and respected scientist whose personality secretly has a cruel and inhuman quality. This side of his personality is not active; but, through his experiments, he decides to trigger it. Through the identity of Mr. Hyde, a criminal who commits brutal acts of violence against others, this part becomes involved. Stevenson reveals the duality of human nature through this change in Jekyll's character: the belief that everyone is capable of rational and irrational actions. Therefore this essay will analyze the portrayal of appearance and personality in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Appearance and Personality in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde In Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, duality is expressed throughout the tale in many ways. The setting; The novella is set in London but draws heavily on Stevenson's memory of his hometown of Edinburgh to create a chilling atmosphere that emphasizes themes of light and darkness. A luxurious residence with a dilapidated laboratory in the back is occupied by Jekyll. The residence is recognized as "elegant", reflecting the fact that he is a wealthy bourgeois and intends to expose his fortune. Similar houses occupy the street his house sits on, we're told. His, however, is the only one that has been kept tidy, organized and intact, and the rest appear to be slightly disorganized. This is in line with Jekyll's character as we know that he cares about his reputation and appears neat and sociable in the eyes of other people, which is undoubtedly what makes his house. Hyde, on the other hand, is a secret creature who moves in the darkness. The door to the laboratory accurately sums up its character. It is protruding, the windows are closed and the door has no swing and has not been cleaned for entry, unlike the main house in an alley. Hyde's private essence is emulated by the windows. He doesn't want people to interfere in his affairs. The unavailability of a door knocker confirms that he neither wants nor expects visitors. Likewise, door clutter turns people away from attempting to visit. The setting here, in the shape of a house, showcases the characters of Jekyll and Hyde and reinforces the concept of good versus evil. Additionally, Stevenson uses language to portray the duality of the two characters. Dr. Jekyll is seen as a very influential, kind, knowledgeable, and popular scientist. 'He is the embodiment of 'goodness'. “…every sign of ability and kindness – you could see from his appearance that he cared a great deal for Mr. Utterson.” This indicates that Dr. Jekyll is compassionate and everyone thinks he is. The fact that he "cares" about Mr. Utterson shows us that he loves and cares so much about his friends and cares so much about other people, that he is perceived as an "angel." Mr. Hyde, on the other hand, is an inhuman, ugly, violent man who commits insane acts of brutality against innocent people. He is the embodiment of "evil". "...disturbing sense of unexpressed deformity with which the fugitive impressed his spectators." This shows that Hyde's appearance and personality scare everyone, they always remember seeing him. The fact that his presence is.