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Duality of Human Nature: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
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Duality of Human Nature: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
By Catherine Arias
"Round the corner from the by-street, there was a square of ancient, handsome houses, now for the
most part decayed from their high estate and let in flats and chambers to all sorts and conditions of men;
map-engravers, architects, shady lawyers and the agents of obscure enterprises. One house, however,
second from the corner, was still occupied entire; and at the door of this, which wore a great air of wealth
and comfort, though it was now plunged in darkness except for the fanlight" (Stevenson 10).
“I had learned to dwell with pleasure as a beloved daydream on the thought of the separation of these elements. If each I told myself could be housed in separate identities life would be relieved of all that was unbearable the unjust might go his way delivered from the aspirations and remorse of his more upright twin and the just could walk steadfastly and securely on his upward path doing the good things in which he found his pleasure and no longer exposed to disgrace and penitence by the hands of this extraneous evil.”
(Stevenson 40).
"“And yet when I looked upon that ugly idol in the glass, I was conscious of no repugnance, rather of a leap of welcome. This, too, was myself…This, as I take it, was because all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil.”
(Stevenson 42).
"I learned to recognize the thorough and primitive duality of man; I saw that, of the two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both.”
(Stevenson 40).
"I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two. I say two, because the state of my own knowledge does not pass beyond that point."
(Stevenson 40).
"I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two. I say two, because the state of my own knowledge does not pass beyond that point."
(Stevenson 40).
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The Duality of human nature is the theme I chose because it's the most prominent in the story. The quotes are all about Jekyll struggling between the two people who live inside him and it's a constant conflict of morals and power. The story itself sheds light on the fact that everyone has a side they show to the world and keep to themselves, and for some these opposing sides lead to self ruin. Jekyll describes being in a constant battle with himself throughout his whole life. He believes that this is largely due to the fact that he is human, and it's only in his nature to do so. Jekyll describes this as a battle all humans share, but that some indulge in and others don't. No one shows the same face to their mom and dad as they would to their friends. No one shows the same face they would among others as they would totally alone. As a society, there are always opposing sides to the same thing, whether that be a city or rule or person. The human nature of having two sides has a direct effect on civilization in general; such as the city of London in the story, which on one side is dirty and cold and crime-ridden, while on another it reeks of luxury and wealth. The internal struggle of Jekyll is symbolized through his surroundings and actions throughout the novella. That his point that 'Man is not one by two' is not only constantly proven but also the truth.