Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Duality of Personality and Character

The dominant theme of the story is the duality of personality and character. Dr. Jekyll is presented as an upright, eminent, and successful member of English society. The life he leads, as far as his friends and colleagues know, is one of respectability. He is admired by those who know him. In his own narrative, at the end of the novella, he describes his interest in the duality of human nature – and that his use of drugs allowed his evil side (Hyde) to triumph over his good side (Jekyll) so that in the end, the persona of Hyde destroys them both.

Darkness and Fog

The author uses the motif of darkness in many crucial scenes in the novella, with many of the main incidents taking place at night. Fog was a serious problem in the city of London in the 19th century, due to the use of coal. The use of darkness and fog allow for the hidden evils of humanity to come to the fore – evil things that are done under the cover of darkness, including the killing of Carew and the midnight meeting of the drug-seeking Hyde with Lanyon.

Hidden Places

The author uses the motif of hidden places several times in the novella, and includes the court behind the door next to Hyde’s living quarters, Jekyll’s laboratory and office hidden behind his house, Jekyll’s will hidden in Utterson’s safe, and the route from Jekyll’s house to Hyde’s apartments. The death of Jekyll/Hyde takes place in a private office within a windowless laboratory. The very name “Hyde” is an example of this theme.

Professional Respectability

While not all the “respectable” men in the novella are hiding an aspect of their lives, Jekyll is an example of a theme that is often used in literature: that underneath a respectable exterior lurks something quite different and this is ultimately a threat to a well-ordered society. This is another aspect of the theme of duality, but is less extreme than the case of the “split” personality of Jekyll/Hyde.

The Subconscious

Although the field of psychology and psychoanalysis was yet achieve its eminence at the time The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written, there was certainly a general acceptance the reasons behind people’s actions were not fully understood. Stevenson represents this theme with the use of the motifs of darkness, fog, hidden places, secret routes, and the like.

Evilness/Satan

Tied to the motif of the subconscious is the theme of evil. The death of Danvers Carew is senseless and brutal, as is the earlier stomping assault of the little girl. With no rational explanation, they are attributed to unknown causes – over and over again Hyde is described as being “evil” in one sense or another. With little knowledge of how insanity or substance abuse can affect the personality, evil, or even the devil, is blamed.

Substance Abuse

The abuse of drugs was a relatively new phenomenon in late 19th century society and affected only a small segment of society. However, it was a fascinating topic to many, especially as the serious affects of drugs were largely unknown. Alcohol abuse was rampant but was familiar to most people. The idea that drug use could induce a complete personality change is a theme that the author uses to illustrate the dangers of giving the dark side of human personality expression.

Documents

The author uses documents to create both an atmosphere (Jekyll’s mysterious will), reveal connections (the check given to the assaulted girl’s family that appears to be fraudulent), and to explain actions that cannot easily be described by action alone (Lanyon’s narrative and Hyde’s statement of the case). The documents allow more expression of the theme of hidden elements.

Day-to-Day Life

The author, to present his other themes, in particular the hidden places, the subconscious, and evilness also uses scenes of ordinary life in 19th century London. People walk in the city for enjoyment; professionals work diligently in their offices; friends meet for meals, wine, and conversation; servants staff the houses of the prosperous; and time passes by when nothing untoward happens. The author uses this motif to emphasize the negatives that are so important to the plot.

Fear and Anxiety

The emotions of fear and anxiety occur often in the novella. Utterson’s response to all the events that surround Jekyll and Hyde cause him much unease and fear. He does not know exactly what he is afraid of until the end, but knows something is very wrong. The neighborhood reacts with fear and anxiety to the assault of the little girl and the city is outraged about the murder of Member of Parliament Sir Danvers Carew. Indirectly, the fear and anxiety is directed at the unknown evil that is eventually manifested in Jekyll/Hyde.