How does Stevenson’s novel imagine London? If Moreau hints at the horrors that might arise in “savage” locations, what is the nature of the metropolis itself? Over and over the novel describes distinctly urban scenes and interactions. What is a specific moment in the book that reveals the potential for horror of life in London?
6 thoughts on “Jekyll and Hyde–Book”
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Both Dr. Moreau and the novel hint at London’s attempt at utopia but acknowledge that it’s a failed attempt because it results in a variety of horrors. I’d argue that the first moment in the book that explicitly mentioned the capacity for horror was during “Story of the Door” as Mr. Enfield described the night he saw the man trample the child. He identifies his own terror as he walks down the street and then describes a horrifying scene. While these moments are from the horror induced by Mr. Hyde, they’re still worthy of mention because they are much more real and very relatable to the reader. The environment being eerie almost invites horror. This phenomenon continues throughout the book as Mr. Hyde’s appearances are very situational and happen in very particular environments. The biggest implied horror seems to be the unknown. We don’t know what’s in the darkness on the street and we don’t know when Mr. Hyde is going to show up.
In “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Robert Stevenson imagines London as a multifaceted metropolis embodying both a sense of respectability and concealed darkness. Throughout the novel, the city functions almost as a character in its own right, actively shaping the story’s atmosphere and events. London is portrayed as a city of contrasts – for example, its elegant streets and respectable facades often coexist with dark alleyways and shadowy corners. While this representation illustrates how feelings of horror can emerge in a civilized and modern world, it also mirrors the novel’s overarching theme of duality and the inherent danger within human nature. A specific moment that reveals the potential horror of life in London occurs when Mr. Utterson navigates through Soho on a foggy morning (page 70). While Stevenson initially describes a “chocolate-colored pall” of fog and “embattled vapors,” he momentarily contrasts it with a “haggard shaft of daylight.” This juxtaposition of light and dark not only highlights the city’s instability, but also reflects Dr. Jekyll’s internal struggle between his respectable self and the darker, more dangerous Hyde. By describing foggy streets and sudden shifts in light, Stevenson presents the city as an unpredictable environment, instilling in readers a constant and horrifying sense of uncertainty.
I feel as though there is a similar outlook on London in both books, however there are slight nuances. In Island of Dr. Moreau, London is painted as an idyllic world that Dr. Moreau has been thrown out of. He sees himself as an outcast. Similarly, London is painted as a fairly jolly and quiet neighborhood in which Dr. Jekyll’s living space sticks out like a sore thumb. On page 21, Stevenson describes London as solitary, with rarely an sound except the ambient noise of a city. However, this is not to say that London is without the dark seedy places that allow Dr.Jekyll to indulge in his temptations.
Early on in the novel, the subtle horrors London may offer become apparent. For me, this came as early as page 17, at the start of ‘The Carew Murder Case’ chapter. The maid’s descriptions of never feeling greater peace, to think “kindly of the world” and all those in it, juxtaposed against the looming night and glistening moon sets an eerily peaceful setting. The reflections of the moon on others faces, gave a calmness to the city that one might not expect from such a bustling metropolis. Even that in consideration with the maid watching the two men below set the stage for city life, to be up above and watch all the people interacting below, is an experience heavily affiliated with London, living boxed one on top of the other. The specific moment that breaks all her peace is when Mr. Hyde “broke out of all bounds and clubbed him to the earth.” In a split second, the peace and what she saw as an “innocent and old-world kindess” is broken out from the seemingly random act of violence by Mr. Hyde. In this sense, all spaces throughout the city lose their safeness because in the most serene of moments, someone may enter and literally pummel that sensation away.
An instance in the novel where I felt London was being described in an ill manner was on page 50. While it might have not been the initial instance, its definitely one that shrouds London in a sense of darkness and definite possibility of ill intention. It was the moment where Mr. Utterson was tasks to figure out who murdered his previous client. It describes London in fog and dim light which gives the sense that everyone is on edge due to their being an unknown murderer out and about living their lives just like anyone else. Not only that, but it was previously mentioned Hyde, the unliked brute, was a resident of this location (pg.41) not long before having reached the location which perfectly accompanies the thought that something sinister is going on at this location by the author. The author having described Hydes’s presence in this location that Mr. Utterson was visiting followed by ill/sinister descriptions of London begs the question, is Hydes the reason why London is shrouded in darkness? Although I believe Jekyll had previously asked Mr. Utterson to protect Hyde, does Mr. Utterson believe it’s possible to protect such a man having his own negative thoughts towards what kind of person this man is? (pg. 41)
On page 21 of the novel Mr Utterson stands alone awaiting the arrival of Mr. Hyde. The street is described as being filled with a low hum of noise and the interactions occurring inside people’s homes are lightly audible, but the general energy is quiet and lonely. This description of London leaves the reader with an eerie feeling because the author is slowly building to an unknown interaction, and while it is a location that would normally have other people around to witness the unfolding events, currently, Mr. Utterson is by himself. Placing the events of this book in a normal city like London forces the reader to reconcile with the knowledge that uncomfortable, scary, or disturbing things can occur in everyday life. London and other metropolis settings are familiar locations which are able to be painted and described in a manner that leaves the reader to understand the potential discomfort and fear that can lurk around any quiet street in their own neighborhood. The reader has likely experienced the fear of being alone at night in a city or simply on a street which easily allows them to place themselves in Mr. Utterson’s shoes. In contrast to this, the savage location that The Island of Lost Souls takes place in is inherently unsettling because of its foreign nature. In many ways a savage location should be more disturbing, however, the reader is less likely to have experienced being on a remote island and therefore would struggle to relate to the protagonist’s fear of the setting in the same way.