The Wand of Science, in the hands of the unworthy, may prove to be more terrible to mankind than any natural calamity that it has ever faced.
How often have we heard the phrase - he is a''Jekyll and Hyde?'' This phrase conveys that the person we are discussing about is prone to extreme shifts in mood. I am sure there are many more similar phrases that have their root in Stevenson’s stunning work. Phrases those are synonymous with the Good' and 'Evil'.
Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde are two names that are as famous as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, or Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. These latter two names became world famous while appearing in a series of gripping stories. But, Stevenson brought into limelight the characters of Jekyll and Hyde with just one comparatively short story that shocked the readers of that time because of its bizarre plot, and grotesque ending - it still does!
It sparked off a lively debate, and the question that often cropped up was - whether the character of Mr. Hyde can exist in our real world? Before we deal with this question, I would like to mention that this book was written in the nineteenth century (1886, to be precise) when there was not much known about Multiple Personality Disorder, Split personality, or Alter ego which are a scientifically accepted fact in our day. Today, we talk about these things as if they are common place and hardly sensational.
But, how did Stevenson write in such depth about a split personality? The simple truth is that he did not know of it. One fateful day he awoke abruptly from his sleep having experienced a horrid nightmare. A nightmare that was as vivid as it was horrific. He was totally shaken but could recall it in great detail. Being the great writer that he was, he immediately decided to make this horrifying experience an unlikely plot for his next book.
This book from Stevenson appeared over a century ago, and I am inclined to believe most people know, at least, an outline of the story, if not the whole story. I presume, most would have read it as part of their school or college English syllabus.
THE STORYLINE:
Dr. Jekyll believes that the soul is made up of two separate distinctions: the good and the evil. He, also, believes that these two states of human character which are inseparably intermingled can be separated in their pure form, that is – ‘pure good’ and ‘pure evil’ without each having an influence over the other. He sets about in his quest to invent a drug that can separate the two basic elements.
He is confident that he can come up with a concoction in due course and is happy that the two states ''do not have to live in bondage to each other and in constant competition.'' So, after considerable time and effort, Jekyll invents a perfect potion to split the two states of the human character. He also comes up with an antidote to restore the two to the original amalgamated state.
''He prepared the potion and describes in bitter and horrific detail the painful transformation that occurs after taking the potion and transforming into Hyde. He postulates that the evil side of his nature was less developed, smaller, and younger than Henry Jekyll. Evil had left on that body an imprint of deformity and decay. But, Jekyll recalls, he was not repulsed because this too was his own self. Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind was pure evil. Shortly after becoming Hyde, he drinks a second potion and returns to being Henry Jekyll.”
Jekyll feels a sense of freedom he never experienced before. Glowing at his own achievement, Jekyll realizes there is a glorious chance to enjoy what he never allowed himself to do as a respectable citizen. He only had to drink a little potion and he could enjoy all that was prohibitive without a sense of remorse.
Jekyll decides to lead a dual life, the respectable doctor who is so well known in society and the nocturnal Mr. Hyde who is an unknown, shady character. The plan seems to be perfect. Jekyll even takes up separate quarters for one Mr. Hyde and employs a trusted servant to look after the quarters emphasizing the fact that Mr. Hyde is a very dear friend of his and must be taken care of even during his absence (which of course he would be if Hyde is present).
Jekyll begins to enjoy his new found freedom in his evil self, Hyde. Time passes by and Hyde's unbridled savagery takes the life of an innocent citizen, Dr. Carew. This was something Jekyll didn't expect. Now, he has a difficult job of protecting his dual self, Hyde.
As Jekyll begins to feel the heat, he decides to get rid of the shady character he had created. But, before he can plan the exit of Hyde for good, something happens which traps Jekyll in his own creation. ''I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde.” This moment began to alert Jekyll that the character of Hyde might irrevocably stay; he might lose voluntary control over himself.
The point had come to choose: regretfully, he chose to give up the liberty and freedom of Hyde and for two months his decision stayed. However, this did not stay as he was tortured with Hyde's longing and in an “hour of moral weakness’, once again took the potion. On that night, the evil that was released was stronger than ever and Dr. Carew was murdered. Because of the manhunt for Hyde, Jekyll swore him off forever and set out to try to remedy the evil.
MY VIEW:
The story is largely allegorical, beginning brilliantly with an account of a hideous looking man trampling upon an innocent girl without provocation. Stevenson adopted a discursive style of story telling for most part and where necessary reverted to a style that is confessional from the main protagonist's point of view. Stevenson creates an atmosphere of controlled suspense, a gradual building up of a sense of horror, leading it to a shocking climax.
He put the glass to his lips and drank at one gulp. A cry followed; he reeled, staggered, clutched at the table and held on, staring with injected eyes, gasping with open mouth; as I looked there came, I thought, a change--he seemed to swell--his face became suddenly black and the features seemed to melt and alter--and the next moment, I had sprung to my feet and leaped back against the wall, my arm raised to shield me...[and] my mind submerged in terror.
Stevenson's deliberate use of the name Hyde was meant to be a metaphor and conveys as much when Mr. Utterson comments to his friend after both fail to find Hyde - ''If he shall be Mr. Hyde . . . I shall be Mr. Seek.''
Most readers have a mixed opinion about this rather bizarre storyline. Many liked it, as many didn't because such a story was not acceptable in those days. But, today, it is classified as a great classic, and R.L. Stevenson's best work.
Some readers have mentioned that this book is difficult to understand because of its highly literary character. They feel that Stevenson had unnecessarily used words that were difficult to understand I totally disagree with this contention. He adopted a style of writing that was popular in his time. His choice of words was appropriate and impacted the reader with a telling force.
“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” became the central theme for many writers and spawned many stories with cosmetic changes here and there, or some with changes that had to suit a new time, and a new age.
I liked this book for its sheer originality of plot
© M B Farookh. Mar. 2005
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