Proceedings of the 44th International Academic Conference, Vienna

‘MAN IS NOT TRULY ONE, BUT TRULY TWO’: DUALITY IN STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE

MOUNA KOHIL

Abstract:

The present works aims at exploring the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson in the light of the theme of duality. It provides an understanding on the issue of restraining and repressing one’s lower side due the constraints of decency, which may lead to creation of another character which acts as an escape tool from these restraints. The work analyzes the various aspects of duality by exposing Dr Jekyll’s contradictions and his wild tendencies. It explains how the respectable doctor resorted to a magical potion in order to create an outlet for his wild self. Mr Hyde, who represents Dr Jekyll’s double, is portrayed as a monstrous villain which terrorizes the Victorian society. In his novella, Stevenson warns from the unethical use of knowledge and the horrors of holding back human natural instincts.

Keywords: duality, the double, Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde, repression

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2018.044.024

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