Transcript Dr Jekyll Intro

Introduction: The Strange
Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde
Background
 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was
written by Robert Louis Stevenson.
 Stevenson was interested in what made up a
person’s character: How a person can be both bad
and good
Theme
Our study of Dr. Jekyll… will focus
heavily on theme.
You will writing an essay on a theme
What is a theme?
Theme
Theme is…
the central or dominant idea behind the story; the
most important aspect that emerges from how the
book treats its subject. Sometimes theme is easy to
see, but, at other times, it may be more difficult.
Theme is usually expressed indirectly, as an
element the reader must figure out.
The author implies a theme while the readers infer
its meaning
Theme continued
It is a universal statement about humanity,
rather than a simple statement dealing with plot or
characters in the story.
Themes are generally hinted at through different
methods: a phrase or quotation that introduces the
novel, a recurring element in the book, or an
observation made that is reinforced through plot,
dialogue, or characters.
Themes in Dr. Jekyll…
Be aware for evidence of the following
themes:
human ugliness originates in the soul
people who succumb to the temptations of
evil risk losing their capacity (ability) for
good
people who suppress, or restrain, their
natural desires risk having them surface
out of control.
Theme
There are two ways
to interpret the
message in this
novella
Novella- more
complicated than a
short story, but
fewer conflicts than
in a novel.
First Interpretation: Born Evil
RLS had a strict Christian
and moral upbringing. The
idea of good vs. evil was
one that he was quite aware
of.
Adam/Eve and serpent,
Cain and Abel
Thomas Hobbes thought
that humans were
naturally bad and would be
like animals in a “state of
nature”
In Christianity, original sin
says that people are born
inclined toward evil and
struggle to be good
Second Interpretation: Society
makes us evil
Context: Takes place in
Victorian Era (18371901) in London,
England
Members of the upper
class in Victorian times
were especially
expected to behave
virtuously. They, along
with their homes, were
expected to be proper
and elegant at all times.
A Class Divided
Victorian society was
divided.
Social classes did not
mix, and behavior,
especially among
members of the upper
class, was expected to
be exemplary at all
times.
The unrealistically rigid
morality of upper class
Londoners led many to
live double lives.
2nd Interpretation: Tabula Rasa
The Enlightenment
view was that
people are born
blank slates
society shapes the
person into good or
evil
Sigmund Freud, the
father of
psychotherapy,
believed that human
beings are powerfully
influenced by impulses
they are not aware of
Personality
Freud said there were three parts to a person’s
psychology
Ego- the conscious part of oneself (adult)
Id- the unconscious part of oneself (childlike)
Superego- as society, ethics, and morals.
To many readers, Hyde represents Dr. Jekyll’s
subconscious desire to be freed from society’s
restrictions.
People need to repress desires for society to work.
What do you think?
Are good and evil innate (are they in us when
we’re born)?
OR
Is it society who makes us who we are?
Consider:
Are people basically good or basically
bad?
Can “good” people do “bad” things?
Is everyone capable of doing horrible
things such as the crimes
Jot down some notes in prep for a 4
Corner Debate