Dual Nature of Humans

Excerpts:

Dr. Jekyll: Chapter 3 (pg.12)

Mr. Hyde: Chapter 2 (pg. 9-10)

Comparison:

The descriptions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde both come from the perspective of Mr. Utterson, and are carried out quite differently. The description of their actions may be what holds the largest contrast between the two in how it was done. Mr. Utterson first encounters Mr. Hyde outside the door in chapter two, upon which it says that Mr. Hyde has a "hissing intake of breath," instead of simply describing it as a gasp. The reason why it is significant is the connotations of the word 'hissing' as it is generally associated with the sound that a snake makes. Shortly after, Mr. Hyde "snarled aloud into a savage laugh," another animalistic comparison through the description of his actions to create a negative or foul image in the reader's mind. All of this is greatly contrasted by the description of Dr. Jekyll's actions, who is said to be well put together and kind. The first is example is when he is simply looking at Mr. Utterson and "you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection." Even when faced with a topic the Dr. did not wish to speak about, he was able to "carr(y) it off gaily."

The descriptions of the actions of the two characters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are written in very different voices to place them in different lights and set up complete opposite characters. The reason why they may have been so drastically set up is to show the duality of human nature, setting up a plot twist that would not be possible or as affective without the large contrast in character and idea development. Not only though, is the choice of voice used in each description setting up the plot twist, it is used to make the reader like Dr. Jekyll's character and further dislike Mr. Hyde. Although the descriptions of each character in these sections are focused around their appearance or actions, they develop the idea that people are able to have two polar opposite personalities, without others knowing. This allows for one of them to be the personality that people recognize and see in a positive light, with the other allowing them to perform unacceptable acts under the guise of it being another person. This is significant because it is a reflection of what goes on in the world today still, and could be used as a parallel to things such as personality disorder.

A Poem for Two 

(collabo-blog with Sydney Parker, we worked on both voices together to attempt to make the poem more cohesive and follow a smoother progression)

The purpose of this poem is to show how Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde each perceive Mr. Utterson as the novella's plot progresses, with the intended effect of portraying the duality of their personalities as they are interacting with the exact same person, but seeing him in different lights. Hyde's lack of conscience and morals, which leads to his dark acts, causes him to dislike Mr. Utterson due to the fact that he finds him intrusive and possibly with the aim to take everything in the will away from him. Dr. Jekyll, on the other hand, who is easy-going and light hearted, cares deeply for Mr. Utterson and finds him to be a genuine and caring person.