The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde - 1291 Words

The Victorian era was a period of great change in England in terms of social, political, and even scientific advancement. The country became highly regarded around the world, whereby London was the center of excellence and was characterized by its citizen’s high moral standards. The pressure on Englishmen to maintain a respectable persona among others was so tremendous that often reputations were damaged at the slightest deviation from social norms. Similarly to the faà §ade of England’s perfection, Robert Louis Stevenson reveals the result of the social expectations on Victorians’ personalities in his novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Stevenson uses the motif of the double to make a commentary on the conflict between†¦show more content†¦In order to maintain a reputable image, his life must be void of excitement and evident emotion that may distort the serious persona he is obligated to assume. However, despite his aloofness, he de monstrates compassion and acceptance to his peers whose reputations have been damaged. He explains â€Å"I incline to Cain’s heresy†¦ I let my brother go to the devil in his own way†(Stevenson 1). In this biblical reference, God expects people to be concerned with their brothers. In saying this, Mr. Utterson believes that it is his â€Å"brother’s† will to do what they please without it affecting his views. It is Mr. Utterson’s habit to be â€Å"the last reputable acquaintance and the last good influence in the lives of downgoing men† (Stevenson 1). Although his interest with social rejects may suggest Victorian respectability, it may also prove to be a product of the social values forced upon him. As a lawyer, he is â€Å"the representative of justice, order, and society† (Frauley). He cannot afford to display any wrongdoings deemed unacceptable by his peers. Therefore, by associating with people of lower reputability, Utterson can experience the rebellious and shunned behaviours through these people. This allows Stevenson to successfully comment on human nature. The duality in Utterson’s persona is exposed through the disguise he wears in public versus the natural behaviours that are in conflict with a Victorian society’s expectations of him. This theme also explains why Mr. Utterson and