hanadibeg's review
The theme of this story may appear very clear: the ancient struggle between good and evil in the human psyche. Nonetheless, it stresses on the great roles of our free will to choose and guide. Dr. Jekyll decided to give in to his bad side, Mr. Hyde, because he was thrilled and fascinated with its power albeit unheeding of its brutal and destructive consequences.
Moreover and what struck me as really interesting, goodness and badness must coexist, neither can stand alone and lead a rewarding life as we know possible by nature and costume. While Dr. Jekyll, the good side, is both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Mr. Hyde is only Mr. Hyde. Maybe goodness is all about reigning and regulating evil.
Moreover and what struck me as really interesting, goodness and badness must coexist, neither can stand alone and lead a rewarding life as we know possible by nature and costume. While Dr. Jekyll, the good side, is both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Mr. Hyde is only Mr. Hyde. Maybe goodness is all about reigning and regulating evil.
biblio_kel's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you haven't read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde then it is likely you're unaware of what the story is a out as it is often depicted differently in other mediums.
Some SPOILERS ahead.
Dr Jekyll is not the sympathetic character many depictions portray him as. Instead, he is a rather introverted doctor who wonders what it would be like to act as his most base self. He is aware of what he does as Mr. Hyde and it is only after his Hyde-side starts to gain the ability to take control, unsummoned by potion, that Jekyll starts to fight for control of his body.
This isn't the morality tale of a man with two separate personalities vying for dominance. Instead, it's a tale of a man who wanted to be able to get away with being his worst self and succeeded.
The story is also told from the perspective of those around Jekyll and by Jekyll/Hyde himself. It's really only through the final expository letter that Jekyll takes the reigns of narration.
There is also the issue with Stevenson (and the general Victorian era) assign morality to a person's perceived attractiveness. Hyde is frequently described as "ugly" in a manner that implies "bad" or "evil". Hyde's physique is meant to be so hideous that there must be an underlining "deformity" to account for the repulsion others feel when looking upon him. This is obviously very ableistic and problematic and I do recommend that if reading aloud to children that you point these issues out and discuss them.
The narration was very good.
All that said, I absolutely love this story. It's short and intriguing and Stevenson's writing style is much less stuffy than other writers of his era.
Some SPOILERS ahead.
Dr Jekyll is not the sympathetic character many depictions portray him as. Instead, he is a rather introverted doctor who wonders what it would be like to act as his most base self. He is aware of what he does as Mr. Hyde and it is only after his Hyde-side starts to gain the ability to take control, unsummoned by potion, that Jekyll starts to fight for control of his body.
This isn't the morality tale of a man with two separate personalities vying for dominance. Instead, it's a tale of a man who wanted to be able to get away with being his worst self and succeeded.
The story is also told from the perspective of those around Jekyll and by Jekyll/Hyde himself. It's really only through the final expository letter that Jekyll takes the reigns of narration.
There is also the issue with Stevenson (and the general Victorian era) assign morality to a person's perceived attractiveness. Hyde is frequently described as "ugly" in a manner that implies "bad" or "evil". Hyde's physique is meant to be so hideous that there must be an underlining "deformity" to account for the repulsion others feel when looking upon him. This is obviously very ableistic and problematic and I do recommend that if reading aloud to children that you point these issues out and discuss them.
The narration was very good.
All that said, I absolutely love this story. It's short and intriguing and Stevenson's writing style is much less stuffy than other writers of his era.
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