Volume-I, Issue-IV, May 2025
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
Volume-I, Issue-IV, May, 2025 |
Hyde and Seek: The Psychological Depths of Evil in Stevenson's Classic Tale Dr. R. Abeetha, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Email address- abeetha.sl@vistas.ac.in |
Received: 26.05.2025 | Accepted: 28.05.2025 | Published Online: 31.05.2025 |
Page No: 245-250 | DOI: 10.69655/novelinsights.vol.1.issue.04W.026 |
Abstract | ||
The paper offers a thorough examination of the
writer’s work "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,"
highlighting its lasting significance in addressing both sides of human
characteristics and human psyche’s negative sides, while also connecting the
novel's themes to modern-day issues. In this work, Stevenson crafted not just a
chilling portrayal of consciousness but also a framework for understanding what
both psychology and literature have recognized as distinctly modern and
profoundly unsettling. The paper delves into the medical and psychological
elements present in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Initially, Stevenson
conceived "Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde" as a "chilling
shocker," but after burning the first draft and heeding his wife's advice,
he reimagined it into the intricately dark narrative we know today. This
compelling novel skilfully navigates the complexities of human character
through the peculiar case of Dr. Jekyll, a benevolent scientist who transforms
into his repressed evil counterpart, Mr. Hyde, at night. Anticipating the
developments of modern psychology, "Jekyll And Hyde" stands as a
remarkably original exploration of humanity's dual nature, alongside being a
timeless tale of suspense and horror. Released in 1866, "Jekyll and Hyde" quickly became a success,
granting Stevenson his initial taste of fame. While sometimes regarded as
merely a mystery, the book has garnered significant literary acclaim. Keywords: Medical
and Psychological Elements, Psychology, Humanity's Dual Nature, Mystery. | ||