Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) is regarded as one of the most famous of all stories relating to doubles. The term Doppelgänger, coined by Jean-Paul Richter in 1796, was hallowed by the Romantic Movement and became particularly popular in the 19th century caused by social upheavals and the consequences of the industrial revolution (cf. Fernandez Bravo 1992:343, 366). Beside the Doppelgänger motif, Stevenson’s writing reflects to a great degree the circumstances of the Victorian age. On the one hand, the 1880s were the time of the development of sciences and psychology. On the other hand, the life was influenced by the established religion raising morality to the highest norm and demanding repression of desires and sexuality. Resulting from this, “a split within the self” was realized not only by authors but by the whole society (op. cit.:365). Consequently, the “Freudian concept of the split personality appeared in literature before the actual theory itself was proposed” (ibid.). Doppelgänger as well as split personalities became a common motif and were “used to explore issues of identity, sexuality and morality” (Bell 1992:176). According to Stevenson’s wife, one of the most important influences was “another strange case of ‘multiple personality’” by which Stevenson was “deeply impressed” (Showalter 2000:190). While he was writing Jekyll and Hyde, the author read in the Archives de Neurologie, a French journal on sub-consciousness, the case of Louis V., who was a male hysteric that “underwent a startling metamorphosis” beginning in his adolescence (ibid., cf. ibid.). All these facts in addition to Stevenson’s „passionate aim ‘to find a body, a vehicle for that strong sense of man’s double being’ which he had felt as a student in Edinburgh when he dreamed of leading ‘a double life – one of the day, one of the night’“ may have been his inspirations which culminated in the writing of the novel (Stevenson quoted in op. cit.:191).
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. A general definition
- 3. Alternating personality: A definition
- 4. Character analysis of Jekyll and Hyde
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the concept of the double in Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, examining whether the duality presented aligns with established definitions of the Doppelgänger and alternating personality. It explores the novel within its historical context, considering the societal and scientific influences of the Victorian era.
- The definition and various interpretations of the Doppelgänger.
- The concept of alternating personality and its relevance to the novel.
- A character analysis of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, exploring their relationship and motivations.
- The influence of Victorian society and scientific advancements on the portrayal of duality.
- The relationship between the narrative and psychological theories of personality.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a significant work exploring the theme of the double, particularly within the context of the 19th-century Doppelgänger motif popularized by the Romantic movement and fueled by socio-political upheaval. It highlights the novel's reflection of Victorian anxieties surrounding scientific advancements, religious morality, and the repression of desires, leading to a societal awareness of internal conflict. The chapter also notes the influence of real-life cases of multiple personality disorder on Stevenson's writing, suggesting a blend of literary and psychological inspirations behind the novel's creation. The introduction concludes by posing the central question of the paper: what specific type of double is represented in Jekyll and Hyde?
2. A general definition: This chapter delves into the multifaceted definition of the Doppelgänger, exploring its various interpretations. It primarily focuses on definitions relevant to the paper's analysis. The chapter examines the Doppelgänger as a counterpart, a duplicate, or a complementary part of a whole, highlighting both the similarities and the potential contrasting aspects of this duality. Further, it addresses the Doppelgänger's supernatural connotations, connecting it to the superstition of wraiths and premonitions of death. This exploration of the term's complexities provides a critical framework for the subsequent analysis of Jekyll and Hyde.
3. Alternating personality: A definition: This section defines "alternating personality," clarifying its usage interchangeably with "multiple personality." The chapter differentiates between various types of doubles identified by Hildenbrock (parents and children, twins, chance similarities, substitutes, phantoms, mirror images, opposing selves, and shadows), and emphasizes the relevance of alternating personality to the analysis of Jekyll and Hyde. It describes Jekyll's creation of a drug to separate undesirable aspects of his personality, highlighting the conflict between his repressed impulses and his conscience, and introducing Freud's concepts of id, ego, and superego to provide a framework for understanding this duality. The chapter shows how Jekyll's attempt at splitting off his "evil" side ultimately fails, emphasizing the inherent interconnectedness of his dual nature.
Keywords
Doppelgänger, double, alternating personality, multiple personality, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson, Victorian era, identity, sexuality, morality, repression, psychology, Freud, id, ego, superego.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Duality in Robert Louis Stevenson's *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*
What is the overall purpose of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the concept of the double in Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It examines whether the duality portrayed aligns with established definitions of the Doppelgänger and alternating personality, considering the Victorian era's societal and scientific influences.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the definition and interpretations of the Doppelgänger; the concept of alternating personality and its relevance to the novel; a character analysis of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; the influence of Victorian society and scientific advancements on the portrayal of duality; and the relationship between the narrative and psychological theories of personality.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction setting the context and posing the central question; a chapter defining the Doppelgänger; a chapter defining alternating personality; a chapter analyzing Jekyll and Hyde's characters; and a concluding chapter. It also includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does the paper define the Doppelgänger?
The paper explores the multifaceted definition of the Doppelgänger, examining its various interpretations as a counterpart, duplicate, or complementary part of a whole, highlighting both similarities and contrasting aspects. It also addresses its supernatural connotations, linking it to superstition and premonitions of death.
How does the paper define alternating personality?
The paper defines "alternating personality" interchangeably with "multiple personality," differentiating it from other types of doubles (as identified by Hildenbrock). It emphasizes its relevance to Jekyll and Hyde, highlighting Jekyll's attempt to separate undesirable aspects of his personality and introducing Freud's id, ego, and superego to understand this duality.
How does the paper analyze the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
The character analysis explores the relationship and motivations of Jekyll and Hyde, focusing on the conflict between Jekyll's repressed impulses and his conscience. It examines how Jekyll's attempt to split off his "evil" side ultimately fails, emphasizing the inherent interconnectedness of his dual nature.
What is the significance of the Victorian era in the paper's analysis?
The paper considers the societal and scientific influences of the Victorian era on the novel's portrayal of duality. It highlights Victorian anxieties surrounding scientific advancements, religious morality, and the repression of desires, suggesting these anxieties are reflected in the novel's themes.
What are the key psychological concepts used in the analysis?
The analysis utilizes Freud's concepts of id, ego, and superego to understand the duality presented in Jekyll and Hyde. The paper also connects the narrative to broader psychological theories of personality.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Doppelgänger, double, alternating personality, multiple personality, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson, Victorian era, identity, sexuality, morality, repression, psychology, Freud, id, ego, superego.
What is the central question addressed in the paper?
The central question is: What specific type of double is represented in Jekyll and Hyde?
- Citar trabajo
- Corinna Roth (Autor), 2006, Analysis of the Double in Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82251
