Repression and Hypocrisy in the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll...

Penny Fielding highlights his point of view on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that the novel paints ‘a damning portrait of society defined by repression and its inevitable twin, hypocrisy’. Fielding also insists later that the relation between repression and hypocrisy is one theme of this novel that cannot be overlooked. This opinion can be approved of a truth after reading the novel. Repression and hypocrisy run through the whole story which reflect on descriptions of every character. In this essay, I will focus on the repression and hypocrisy that appear to be connected in the novel by analyzing the background and main characters. Especially, I will quote some fragments from the novel to discuss in†¦show more content†¦Throughout the whole course of the novel, readers can identify an unbreakable connection between Hyde and animalistic images as he was shown to be big, awkward and childlike. This kind of figure is re garded by Stevenson as parts of human nature. It also expressed Stevenson’s repression towards hypocritical society during Victorian times. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was wrote in 18th centuries, the times that were defined as ‘Gothic revival’. The literature in this times had similar thematic elements include supernatural or ‘fantastic’, violent crime (death and murder), passionate romance (often with death). The novel Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was considered as typical Gothic literature. Particularly, repression and hypocrisy are highly emphasized in the novel. Repression is undoubtedly a cause of conflict between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The root of this repression can be found in Victorian England where there was no sexual appetites, no violence and no freedom of expressing emotion in the public sphere. Everything should be restrained and people in that times all behaved solemn and were not allowed to show their joys and sorrows. This repression can be well reflected within Dr. Jekyll in the novel. According to quotation of Stevenson’s description: â€Å"[†¦] IShow MoreRelatedEssay Double Lives in Victorian Literature1407 Words   |  6 Pagescould be cast aside by these â€Å"dark doubles† and the â€Å"immoral† desires of the human heart could be explored in the safety of ones sitting room. In Oscar Wildes play, â€Å"The Importance of Being Ernest,† we see a satirical prodding of the hypocrisy associated within the strict moral code of English â€Å"genteel† society. The plays protagonist, Jack, creates his own â€Å"dark double†, his supposed carefree, immoral, and decadent brother, Ernest. 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