Historical Context (Jekyll and Mr Hyde)

This section explores the historical context of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The historical context of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is crucial to understanding its themes, characters, and setting. Published in 1886, the novel reflects the social, scientific, and philosophical tensions of the Victorian era. Below is an exploration of the main historical factors influencing the novel.

 Victorian Society and Morality

Respectability and Hypocrisy: In Victorian society, maintaining a respectable public image was of paramount importance. Individuals, particularly those in the upper and middle classes, were expected to uphold strict moral codes, yet there was often a stark contrast between public behaviour and private desires. The novel mirrors this societal duality through the character of Dr Jekyll, who embodies the respectable, outwardly moral man, and Mr Hyde, who represents the darker, hidden impulses that society condemned.

Duality of Human Nature: The idea of a "double life" was common in the Victorian era, with many leading secret lives away from the moral gaze of society. This is central to Stevenson’s portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde, where one man harbours two opposing personalities — one respectable, the other evil — reflecting the tension between societal expectations and personal desires.

Scientific Advancements and Fears

The Rise of Science: The 19th century was marked by rapid scientific progress, which often challenged traditional religious beliefs. Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859) introduced the theory of evolution, suggesting that humans were not divinely created but had evolved from lower life forms. This shook the foundations of Christian faith and morality, raising questions about human nature, morality, and the soul.

Fear of Degeneration: Darwin's theory also gave rise to fears of "degeneration," where it was believed that civilisation could regress and individuals could devolve into a more primitive, savage state. This is evident in Mr Hyde’s portrayal as more animalistic and brutish, representing the darker, primal side of human nature that civilisation sought to suppress.

Science vs. Morality: Dr Jekyll’s experimentation with his transformative drug reflects Victorian anxieties about the moral implications of scientific advancement. Jekyll’s unchecked curiosity and pursuit of knowledge lead to destructive consequences, symbolising the fear that science, when misused, could lead to moral and social decay.

The Gothic Tradition and Urban Gothic

Gothic Literature: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde belongs to the Gothic literary tradition, a genre characterised by horror, mystery, and the exploration of human psychology. Gothic literature often delved into the darker aspects of human nature and the supernatural, using settings that evoke fear and unease. In the novel, the foggy streets of London, dark alleyways, and hidden doors contribute to a tense, foreboding atmosphere typical of Gothic fiction.

Urban Gothic: Stevenson’s portrayal of London reflects the anxieties of a rapidly growing urban environment. The city, with its sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty, respectability and vice, became a symbol of moral ambiguity. Victorian cities were often viewed as places where crime, danger, and immorality lurked, and this is reflected in the novel’s dark, labyrinthine streets where Mr Hyde commits his crimes.

The Emergence of Psychology

Interest in the Human Psyche: The late 19th century saw growing interest in psychology and the workings of the human mind. While Sigmund Freud’s theories of the id, ego, and superego came after the novel’s publication, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde anticipates these ideas. Dr Jekyll can be seen as representing the conscious, rational self (ego), while Mr Hyde embodies the repressed, subconscious desires (id) that society and Jekyll himself try to suppress.

Split Personality and Moral Responsibility: The novel explores the idea of split personality or "dissociative identity disorder," a concept that fascinated Victorian thinkers. It questions whether individuals are responsible for actions committed by their darker, unconscious selves. This reflects Victorian concerns about human behaviour, morality, and the extent to which people are truly in control of their own actions.

Crime and Social Class

Crime in Victorian London: During the late 19th century, crime, particularly in urban areas, was a significant concern. The novel reflects these fears, with Mr Hyde representing the violent, criminal element that lurks beneath the surface of society. His brutal actions, such as the murder of Sir Danvers Carew, tap into contemporary anxieties about the rise of violent crime in London’s less reputable areas.

Social Class Divisions: The stark contrast between Dr Jekyll, a wealthy, educated gentleman, and Mr Hyde, who is described as lower-class and animalistic, highlights Victorian concerns about class and the moral dangers associated with poverty. The novel reflects the fear that the criminal behaviour associated with the working classes could corrupt even the most respectable members of society.

Religious Doubts and the Nature of Evil

Religion vs. Secularism: As scientific discoveries, such as Darwin’s theory of evolution, began to challenge religious beliefs, many Victorians experienced a crisis of faith. The novel engages with these questions by examining the nature of good and evil. Dr Jekyll’s transformation into Mr Hyde can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle between the moral (good) and immoral (evil) sides of human nature.

The Nature of Evil: Stevenson suggests that evil is an inherent part of human nature, not just an external force. Mr Hyde represents the darker side of Jekyll’s personality, suggesting that evil resides within every individual, and that attempts to suppress it may only lead to its more violent emergence. This reflects Victorian anxieties about moral decay and the limits of human self-control.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is deeply influenced by the social, scientific, and intellectual climate of the late 19th century. Its exploration of duality, morality, and human nature reflects the tensions of a society grappling with rapid change and uncertainty. By understanding the historical context of the novel, readers can better appreciate its themes of respectability, science, and the darker aspects of human nature, which continue to resonate today.