The essay will be divided into two parts: the creation and control of the doppelganger and character traits, appearance and the aspect of morality. In the course of this essay, the creation of both doppelgangers as a result of a scientific experiment will be subject of discussion. Furthermore, the transformation from Dr. Bruce Banner and Dr. Henry Jekyll into their counterparts and their control or lack of over switching characters will be inspected more closely in the first part. Subsequently, the similarities and differences of Hyde’s and the Hulk’s character such as their unpredictability, (in)human physical appearance and character traits and how they conceive and are affected by morality will be compared and discussed in the second section of the essay. Finally, there will be a short conclusion to summarize the main points discussed in this essay.
Table of Contents
- The Incredible Hyde: Reading Stan Lee's "The Incredible Hulk" as a less monstrous and more human version of Robert Louis Stevenson's character "Mr. Edward Hyde" in his novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"
- The Creation and Control of the Doppelganger
- Character Traits, Appearance and Aspect of Morality
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze Stan Lee's "The Incredible Hulk" as a reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson's Mr. Hyde, arguing that the Hulk represents a more human and less monstrous version of the classic character. The comparison focuses on the creation and control of the doppelgangers, their shared and differing character traits, and how both characters embody or challenge societal conceptions of monstrosity.
- The creation of doppelgangers through scientific experimentation.
- The control (or lack thereof) over the transformation into the monstrous alter ego.
- The comparison of the characters' unpredictability and volatility.
- The contrast between the physical appearances and the psychological impact of Hyde and the Hulk.
- The role of morality and how it shapes the perception of both characters.
Chapter Summaries
The Creation and Control of the Doppelganger: This section explores the creation of both Mr. Hyde and the Hulk as products of scientific experiments. While Hyde's creation is a deliberate act by Dr. Jekyll stemming from an internal duality, the Hulk's emergence is accidental, resulting from Dr. Banner's exposure to gamma radiation. The key difference lies in the characters' control over their transformations. Jekyll initially controls his transformation into Hyde, but gradually loses control as the novella progresses, highlighting Hyde's increasingly monstrous nature. Conversely, Banner initially has no control over his transformation into the Hulk, but eventually gains some ability to influence and manage the process, reducing the Hulk's inherent monstrosity. This contrasting portrayal of control over the transformation underscores the different conceptions of monstrosity presented by each narrative.
Character Traits, Appearance and Aspect of Morality: This section delves into a detailed comparison of Hyde and the Hulk's character traits, physical appearances, and moral implications. Both are unpredictable and driven by instinct, yet their manifestations of monstrosity differ significantly. Hyde's monstrosity is more psychological, emanating from his inherent evil and eliciting revulsion from those who encounter him. His physical appearance, while described as unsettling, is not overtly monstrous. In contrast, the Hulk’s physical appearance is undeniably monstrous—a large, muscular, and primitive-looking creature. However, unlike Hyde, who embodies pure evil, the Hulk's actions are frequently motivated by a desire to protect humanity, mitigating his monstrous attributes through acts of heroism. This contrast highlights how outward appearance does not necessarily define monstrosity, and that actions and motivations can significantly influence perceptions of both characters.
Keywords
Doppelganger, Mr. Hyde, The Incredible Hulk, monstrous, human, transformation, control, unpredictability, morality, scientific experiment, gamma radiation, physical appearance, psychological impact, heroism.
FAQ: Analyzing Stan Lee's "The Incredible Hulk" as a Reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson's Mr. Hyde
What is the main objective of this essay?
This essay analyzes Stan Lee's "The Incredible Hulk" as a reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson's Mr. Hyde. It argues that the Hulk represents a more human and less monstrous version of the classic character, focusing on the creation and control of the doppelgangers, their character traits, and how both characters relate to societal notions of monstrosity.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the creation of doppelgangers through scientific experimentation (Hyde through Jekyll's formula, Hulk through gamma radiation), the control (or lack thereof) over transformations, the characters' unpredictability and volatility, the contrast between their physical appearances and psychological impact, and the role of morality in shaping perceptions of both characters.
How does the essay compare the creation of Mr. Hyde and the Hulk?
Mr. Hyde's creation is a deliberate act by Dr. Jekyll, reflecting an internal duality. The Hulk's emergence is accidental, resulting from Dr. Banner's exposure to gamma radiation. A key difference is control: Jekyll initially controls his transformation but loses it, while Banner initially lacks control but eventually gains some, highlighting different conceptions of monstrosity.
How does the essay compare the character traits and appearances of Mr. Hyde and the Hulk?
Both are unpredictable and instinctual. Hyde's monstrosity is psychological, stemming from inherent evil, and his physical appearance is unsettling but not overtly monstrous. The Hulk's physical appearance is undeniably monstrous, yet his actions are often motivated by a desire to protect humanity, mitigating his monstrous attributes through heroism. This highlights how outward appearance doesn't define monstrosity; actions and motivations significantly influence perceptions.
What are the key differences between Mr. Hyde and the Hulk in terms of monstrosity?
Hyde embodies pure evil and a complete loss of control, while the Hulk, despite his monstrous appearance, often acts heroically, demonstrating a capacity for good and a gradual gain in self-control. This contrast challenges the traditional notion of a clear-cut definition of monstrosity.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summarizing the creation and control of the doppelgangers?
The contrasting levels of control over their transformations—Jekyll's initial control followed by complete loss versus Banner's initial lack of control followed by partial regain—highlights different approaches to and interpretations of monstrosity. It underscores how control, or lack thereof, over one's alter ego significantly influences the perception of their monstrosity.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summarizing character traits, appearance, and morality?
The chapter highlights the difference between outward appearance and inner morality in defining "monstrosity." While the Hulk's appearance is undeniably monstrous, his actions often contradict this perception, showcasing that heroism can mitigate the impact of a monstrous exterior. Conversely, Hyde's psychological monstrosity is more significant than his physical appearance.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Doppelganger, Mr. Hyde, The Incredible Hulk, monstrous, human, transformation, control, unpredictability, morality, scientific experiment, gamma radiation, physical appearance, psychological impact, heroism.
- Citar trabajo
- Sophie Hardt (Autor), 2018, The doppelganger motive in fantastic literature. A comparison of "The Incredible Hulk" and "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/931130
