Individually:
- In 1-2 sentences, identify a theme, scene, setting, or character that particularly interests you, and explain why.
- What words are phrases are associated with the element you identified? That is, how is it described? Write down about 5 examples.
- Analyze what you found. What additional meaning is conveyed by these particular words or phrases?
As a group:
- Discuss your individual work. What broad themes emerge?
- Are these themes transferable to the modern era?
- How might an author or artist convey meaning about these themes today? You can think in terms of descriptive writing, but you are also encouraged to think across media: how might you use visual, auditory, sculptural, or conceptual elements to convey your interpretation of these themes today?
Individual
The theme of the single individual being split into two sides, impulsive and logical, is fascinating to me, and the exploration as to whose choices are actually whose, as I believe these sides are not as distinct as they are sometimes described to be. Sorting out these decisions may give insight into the particular artistic representation or the message being transmitted about the nature of the human mind, substance abuse or habits, or mental illness.
Keywords associated with this element include bipolar, split personality, alter-ego, possession (supernatural), shape-shifter, duality, internal struggle, loss of inhibition.
The particular meanings of these words or phrases diverge from the initial point of initiation into directions clinical, supernatural, and philosophical. Bipolar and split-personality disorder are clinical diagnoses of psychological conditions that can be treated or controlled in some cases with psychoactive medications, and loss-of-inhibition is a described phenomenon, often triggered by the use of a psychoactive substance or accompanying a disease. Possession and shape-shifter are of a more fantastic air, and refer to the interference or identity of a demon or monster of some kind. The remaining concepts, alter-ego, duality, internal struggle, are more theory-of-mind related.
Individually:
1.The setting of this two characters interest me well because it shows us the real sides of a person.
2.he had a displeasing smile, he broke out in a great flame of anger, the bones were audibly shattered and the body, At the horror of these sights and sounds, the maid fainted, with the air of one very much surprised and a trifle hurt;
3.those word shows how brutality and rude after Dr. Jekyll changed to Mr.Hyde, that’s a totally different person which is scary, ruthless. This shows a big difference between this two characters.
A scene of interest is when Poole goes to Utterson with concern for his employer and Utterson goes to Dr. Jekyll’s house to play detective. I was confused as to why he would not just have called the police if he felt that a crime had been committed against his friend. It’s as if he had already concluded that Hyde and Jekyll were the same person and had to protect his friend.
“I would say nothing of this paper”
“We must save his credit”
“We both think more than we have said”
“Mr. Utterson’s only answer was to rise and get his hat and greatcoat”
“if by any chance he was to ask you in, don’t go”
These phrases only support that any one who knows Jekyll sees that the changes in him are no coincidence which is why Poole warned Utterson not to go inside. They both do know more than they are willing to openly admit and to ensure that the reputation of their friend is protected they are “hiding” the evidence.
This raises the question of moral and ethical boundaries. How far is one willing to go to protect the ones they love despite the horrific circumstances that are evident?
The scene in which Mr.Poole and Mr.Utterson breakdown the door to reveal that it is actually Mr.Hyde in Dr.Jekyll’s room interests me. A small part of me hears “Here’s Johnny”, but more importantly the scene can provide a connection to the person of Mr.Hyde and Dr.Jekyll.
Some words I associate with this scene are screech, axe, demand, voice, suspicions.
The word screech shows us that there isn’t something on the other side of the door that is expected to be there, there is something feral or wild. The word axe gives you a clear picture of what’s going on as Mr.Utterson and Mr.Poole chop down the door. Demand is an important part of the speech of Mr.Utterson as it alludes that the “conflict” has reached the point where there are no longer any alternatives. Voice is a very key factor throughout Mr.Utterson’s proclamation as it shows what he means to do as well as the voice that responds being that of Mr.Hyde and not Dr.Jekyll. Suspicions is what fuels this entire scene and without them the actions that occurred would never have came to be.
The character of Mr. Lanyon interested me because the whole of his life was rigidly connected to his beliefs. I find it odd that learning something, even as drastic as he did, could make him lose the will to live.
– “My life shaken to its roots”
His value on what he knows is so great that to change that effects his whole life.
– “my mind submerged in terror”
– “I must die”
He cant live with the knowledge he now has.
– “I can not… …Dwell on it without horror”
The thought of changing what he knows is horrifying
– “I asked myself if I believe it”
He almost wants to imagine that it cant even be possible, although he knows he saw it.
In 1-2 sentences, identify a theme, scene, setting, or character that particulary interests you, and why
The reveal that the butler, Poole, knew that the person in the mask was never actually Jekyll, and when they discuss how to break down the door. —
What words or phrases are associated with the element you identified?
“He looked up when I came in, gave a kind of cry, and whipped upstairs into the cabinet. It was but for one minute that I saw him, but the hair stood upon my head like quills. Sir, if that was my master, why had he a mask upon his face? If it was my master, why did he cry out like a rat, and run from me?”
“O, sir,” cried Poole, “do you think I do not know my master after twenty years?
“My master”—here he looked round him and began to whisper—“is a tall, fine build of a man, and this was more of a dwarf.” ”God knows what it was, but it was never Dr. Jekyll; and it is the belief of my heart that there was murder done.”
“There is an axe in the theatre,” continued Poole; “and you might take the kitchen poker for yourself.”
Analyze
The first quote shows that Jekyll acted like an animal in his attempts to hide from everyone
The second quote is showing that Poole and Jekyll have 20 years of history between them, so Poole is very familiar with Jekyll’s behavior
The third is Poole separating the prior memories he has of Jekyll, with what he could possibly be
The fourth is Poole actively helping Utterson help break down the door, as to confirm or deny if that person is actually Jekyll or Hyde
Individual:
1) Without a doubt, the characters that most interests me are the protagonists of the novel, Mr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde. I find their mysterious relationship interesting because we are not certain whether they are the same person or not. Despite the ambiguity, if assuming that they are the same person, what causes the transition in personality? It may be the case that the character was psychologically disturbed and suffers from personality disorder, or however is a drug addict. It may even be the case that they are two separate individuals.
2)
a. Potion: As described, it is because of the potion that the character experiences a transition in personality (could actually be a drug)
b. Multiple personality disorder: The two personalities of Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde can be caused by a psychological issue
c. Good Vs. Evil: The characters of Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde demonstrate good vs. evil; Jekyll pertaining to the good and Hyde to the evil.
d. Animal/hairy: These words were used to the describe the character of Mr. Hyde. Ultimately this provided his character a lack of moral.
e. Chemical: similarly, to potion demonstrates the transition in personality
With Group :
1)
a. Good vs. evil
b. Duality
c. Multiple personality disorder/ bipolar
d. The conscience and subconscious
2) We face the same problems today. All of us have some good and evil in us to a certain extent that we have the ability to control. We see this transition when a person gets drunk or is under the influence of a certain drug. The person may become more aggressive and lose conscious values.
3) A very nice and intellectual professor is usually very engaged with students. He consumes drugs one day and turns on begins to victimize his students. Eventually he becomes a drug addict and frequently transitions from good to evil.
The theme of depression and suicide is the one that particularly interests me. I personally see that this novel makes it very clear how suicide was completely out of control for one of the two characters. This feeds more into the stigma of depression and the desire for self-termination to be this uncontrollable psychological phenomenon which is very untrue. A lot of odd behavior and problems arise from the lack of very basic human needs which I think is clearly described in the novel as the literal absence of being. The individualism and independence is completely taken away from one of the characters more than the other which brings a tremendous sense of shame and misery.
Words or phrases that identify with this theme is “evil” when describing Hyde. This characterization completely takes away any kind of personification or individualism from Hyde and gives him a label. Additional meaning that could be applied is the idea of both good and evil sides of one individual but personified as two different people. This way the theme takes on a whole opposite meaning of adding a dynamic characteristic to the individual who has the freedom to choose when to be evil and when to be good. The “potion” also serves as a clear switch for the other side to pull for when they wish for the other person to appear. This switch takes shows how being an individual for Hyde is completely out of his hands. This also can have the opposite meaning of being a simple tool for an individual to choose between the good and evil side of the individual. The constant mention of the “creature”, kind of like the way Frankenstein referred to his creation it takes away any humanity or human nature form the individual.
Group Thoughts: Broad themes: split personality vs. separate individuals; magical science; mystery novel; realizing what you are capable of. Modern era- movies (Split a move of DPD; AHS- Circus with conjoined twins); Gone Girl- a movie where the female protagonist was controlling her partner; Spider-Man- the idea of with great power comes great responsibility; one side has the control to unleash the other side knowing what they are capable of, artwork (Picasso, Ying-Yang of two different sides completing each other vs. creating chaos) the idea of the potion splitting them apart and not letting them work together as opposites creates chaos, musical albums which change completely half way through their career (Childish Gambino- albums changing themes, makes it seem as a completely different person).
Very insightful comments — you cover a lot of ground in a short post. The way that the narrator and other characters label Mr. Hyde as “evil” recalls to me the way that the philosopher-thief in Caleb Williams could not escape being a criminal, having once been labelled such. It would be interesting to explore how this kind of labelling plays out in the later texts we’ll be reading. I was reading an interesting article yesterday about how the stigma surrounding the permanent diagnosis of mental illness presents a huge obstacle to care (https://www.thecut.com/2018/04/what-its-like-to-be-on-antidepressants-long-term.html) — Jekyll/Hyde might be read as representing that dilemma.
A scene that caught my attention the most was towards the end of the novel where Jekyll decides to commit suicide. I do agree that everyone has 2 sides to them. Not necessarily a good and bad one, but everyone has that nice side of them, and then that more “mean” side. But you draw the line where a side of you is persuading you to commit suicide. That’s where the issue comes in. The quote “This, then, is the last time, short of a miracle, that Henry Jekyll can think his own thoughts or see his own face (now how sadly altered!) in the glass. Nor must I delay too long to bring my writing to an end; for if my narrative has hitherto escaped destruction,” really grasped my attention because that’s when I realized that Jekyll was really about to end his own life. He also stated “Should the throes of change take me in the act of writing it, Hyde will tear it in pieces.” This quote indicated that “Hyde” is what made him do this decision and made him commit suicide. This quote was interesting to see how someone could feel like their complete other “bad” side of them made them want to make such a life decision to end their life. This played a big role since the Jekyll side was very unhappy in his life. I personally think it could possibly be both sides or maybe no side impacted this decision. In my own opinion, it seems like Jekyll and Hyde have a personality disorder. Individuals with this issue psychologically have something wrong. Therefore, I think that’s what caused this suicide. People that are bipolar have a chemical imbalance. I believe that’s what potentially made the final decision and triggered Jekyll to end his life. Maybe a chemical imbalance or something that he did not know about, not just “Hyde”.
The theme of duality of good and evil between the split personalities or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde interests me. It shows two sides to the same person and how people can be both good and evil. But particularly in this story, it shows what may happen if one side was good and the other side being completely bad.
5 Words and phrases associated
Split personality disorder
Morality
Conscience
Good and evil
Social expectations
An additional meaning from these words and phrases is how it relates to society, what’s generally considered good and evil. What happens to us if we do not care about these values and other people.
Group:
1. Theme: good vs evil, duality, split personality, conscience, bipolar
2. Yes because we face the same problems today. All of us have some good and evil in us to a certain extent that we have the ability to control. We see a transformation in personality when a person gets drunk and under the influence. The person may become more aggressive or less awareness.
3. A short skit : A very old, nice innocent professor. Take drugs one day and then he does things he isn’t aware of and becomes violent and foul afterwards on the influence.
1. In 1-2 sentences identify a theme, scene, setting or character that particularly interests you, and explain why?
– A theme that interests me is the split attitudes of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde as being good vs evil.
2. What words or phrases are associated with the element you identified? Write down 5 examples
1- “Fond of the respect of the wise and good among my fellowmen”
2- “Both sides of me were in dead earnest”
3- “I regarded and hid my irregularities with an almost morbid sense of shame”
4- “That man is not truly one, but truly two”
5- “Penitence”
3. Analyze what additional meaning is conveyed by these particular words or phrases?
– These phrases were written by Dr.Jekyll and shows that his split personalities has taken over and he was ashamed of himself of what he had became. He shows that he was a good person at first. He also thought that he was able to dwell of this separation but it actually was insufferable. Penitence shows that Dr.Jekyll feels sorrow and regret for what he have done.
A theme that I found most interesting the concept of good vs. evil. We also get to see the battle of good vs. evil in the one man’s brain.
Some words or quotes that are associated- both sides were dead, two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, curse of mankind, extraneous evil.
It was interesting to see his battle of good and evil in himself. While this might of something he had enjoyed once it took over his life. At a time, he might have been able to control these two personalities, but in the end, he knew only one could win. It depends what side of you is stronger- the good or evil.
Group
1. The broad theme of the text is the struggle between balancing impulses and decisions. As well as the added element of unpredictability of individuals who are going through the same thing in a more extreme way,
2. As long as free will is in humanity there will always be an issue with this in people. Everyone goes through this battle in their mind.
3. A good example of this is The Incredible Hulk. It is similar in the aspect of drinking a chemical to changing your appearance and attitude.
Individually:
The theme of good and evil interested me very much as well as the split personality.
Examples with analysis:
A)Good versus evil : Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde went through a battle to be good or evil.
B)Possession: not being to control your inner terrors
C)Split personality: A split disorder and showing signs of bipolar between being 2 or more person as one person.
D)Potion : the drug that he took to repress his personality .
Individual
The theme of good and evil intrigues me the most. This is because many people deal with the challenge of balancing their good and evil impulses everyday. For some individuals it’s a tough task, for others not so much .
Fiend, good influence, damnable, I let my brother go to the devil in his own way, the cancer of some concealed disgrace.
These words and phrases aid in the evaluation of Mr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde as the embodiments of good and evil in this novel.
Individual: The character that interests me the most is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The multiple personality theme known also as Dissociative identity disorder is the most important and main theme of this novel because it shows us that a moral, respectful and rich person can suffer from a complex psychological condition that we are not aware of. The split personality, mental illness, voices inside, and a dark side are hidden inside Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll tries to relief this emotional tension through Mr. Hyde.
People can be good or evil or sometimes both, but Dr. Jekyll was aware of his evil side and set a plan to keep hiding his evil side from the society.
“Though so profound, a double-dealer, I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest; I was no more myself when I laid aside restraint and plunged in shame, than when I laboured, in the eye day, at the furtherance of knowledge or the relief of sorrow and suffering. … That man is not truly one, but truly two.” (Dr. Jekyll 108)