Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde
...f a Member of Parliament and ID’s Hyde as the killer. When Jeckyll is confronted about the whereabouts of Hyde, he presents a letter in which Hyde says he is gone forever. Jeckyll also says he is done with Hyde. After Utterson’s friend Dr. Lanyon dies, an envelope is found addressed to Utterson in his stuff. The envelope was not to be opened until the death of Jeckyll. Awhile later, it is thought that Jeckyll had locked himself in his lab and when the door is opened, the dead body of Hyde was found. The only trace of Jeckyll they can find is a “confession” addressed to Utterson. In the notes left to Utterson, it is discovered that Dr. Jeckyll had found a chemical combination that would transform him into another being so that he could perform any shameful task he desired. At some point, Jeckyll turned into Hyde and the original drug no longer countered the change. Instead of living out his life with the “evil” Hyde completely occupying him, he commits suicide just when Utterson and an assistant are breaking down the lab door. The main character is that of Jeckyll/Hyde. Although they seem to be two separate beings, they are of the same origin; therefore they are together the main character. Jeckyll and Hyde are complete opposites, yet are the same. One represents good, the other evil. Each needs the other to survive, to keep a balance within their mind. Jeckyll was a generally respected, handsome, intelligent physician. Hyde was a sinful, distorted, self-centered being. Jeckyll created Hyde so he could do things without being identified. He wanted Hyde to be a mask, or a venire so-to-say, to protect him from any public backlash from his actions. These characters are the novel. Without them there is no story. With them, Stevenson not only created a story of mystery and suspense, but also a reflection on what we are as humans. These characters show how all humans are motivated to do things, at times, that are looked down upon by society. The character of Jeckyll/Hyde also shows how if one allows themselves to give in to temptation and give up control, often times control will be impossible to achieve again. That temptation for which they gave into will commonly spread and dominate the being’s thoughts and actions. The purpose of this story was to be a study of man’s dual nature. Men, naturally, are two-faced. One moment someone may be in complete compliance with another and the next they may start thinking for themselves and defy the other. The quest for inner satisfaction commonly takes control of the being’s actions, no matter what the cost. The mortal beings mind is...