The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is more than just a statement of the dementedness of 19th century scientists (recall Frankenstein). What Stevenson illustrates in this Victorian-era horror story is the innate desire of mankind to be guiltless monsters. While the rules of society constrain us, we secretly desire to do evil deeds.
Stevenson's story argues that the potential to ruin one's own social status is what keeps the monster in each one of us at bay. Reference to social image occurs throughout The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, such as Enfield's encounter with Mr. Hyde:
"We told the man we could and would make such a scandal out of this, as should make his name stink from one end of London to the other. If he has any friends or any credit, we undertook that he should lose them."If status was the only thing keeping us from destroying each other, wouldn't we have completely annihilated our own species? If we were solely murderous, ravenous animals, our system of self-restratint would have broken down a long time ago. With one malicious mistake, the monster that has been trying to break out of its cage would escape and consume us. Perhaps then we'd forget all about social status, or merely find ways to conceal our crimes. Harmless members of society by day, but behind closed doors...
There must be something else that keeps us from being monsters.
Do we not all (or at least most of us) come equipped with some sense of moral consciousness? Stevenson's story neglects the human capacity for sympathy and its ability to create a naturally defined line between what is good and what is evil. Sympathy is the very foundation of many typical societal ideals, such as anti-violence. At times, sympathy causes us to feel compassion for complete strangers. Society is not built purely for the purpose of constraining us, but is rooted in one of the very things that makes us human. We are not all born innately monstrous - something evil in the world around us must ignite it.
References:
Stevenson, Robert Louis. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Ed. Stanley Appelbaum. Roslyn, NY: Dover Publications, 1991.
GIF source: http://imgur.com/gallery/oVr9Y
I think Stevenson's philosophy is a product of his time. Being surrounded by human misery and greed 24/7 probably caused him to develop a cynical view on morality. That, and the poor weather and air pollution could not have helped. Regardless, I think that his characterization works if it is interpreted as a critique of puritanical morality. Much like how heavily-controlled children tend to go crazy in college, Jekyll's held-back emotions lead him to indulge in his darker urges given the opportunity. Stevenson could be warning readers against repressing their basic desires and dreams.
ReplyDeleteSarah I really like your point here. It makes me think of the Purge in that with the ability to do monstrous acts and not get in trouble, people in the movie of course take advantage of that. It makes me think that in reality many people are selfish and do many things in order to gain something for the benefit of themselves. But it also depends on your mindset as well. I certainly don't think I would want to murder even if I could get away with it. My own moral consciousness would just not allow it and the guilt would probably eat me alive. You really did bring a whole new question to the table. Maybe society is what keeps our monsters in. But isn't it society that creates these monstrous sides in the first place because of what is acceptable and what it not in society?
ReplyDeleteI think your point here about the origin of evil is a good one - where does that monstrosity come from? Where is its center? I think this argument stretches back to the nature vs nurture argument: how much of our morality is innate, and how much is created through society? And Patrick Bateman is a good example. too. Having not read or seen American Psycho myself, I can only go off of what I know by hearsay, but an investment banker who turns into a psychotic serial killer off-duty seems to parallel Jekyll/Hyde a lot. I also wonder what it says about the environment that Patrick and Jekyll/Hyde live in, that they can continue to get away with it for so long? What does that say about us?
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