Living a Double Life and Duality

• Concept of Living a Double Life: Feeling of living with contradictory sides of personality is common among people.
• Deception of Appearances: People and appearances can be deceiving.
• Focus on Duality: Question what to do about darker, troublesome selves.

Robert Louis Stevenson and Duality

• Self-Description: Stevenson described himself as having dual personalities - "myself and the other fellow."
• Creative Influence: His creative side often emerged the most when his 'other fellow' was in control.

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

• Exploration of Duality: Novella explores the dark side of human duality.
• Hypothetical Separation: Questions the possibility and consequences of separating opposing sides.
• Setting: Late Victorian London, depicting societal duality - rich and poor coexist.

Symbolism of Duality in Setting

• Dr. Jekyll's House: Dual nature symbolized by grand facade and neglected back entry.
• Historical Reference: House layout references John Hunter's home, symbolizing duality.

Character Analysis

• Dr. Jekyll: Respectable gentleman with a hidden dark side.
• Mr. Hyde: Represents the unleashing of Dr. Jekyll's darker nature.
• Gabriel Utterson: Only character suspicious of Dr. Jekyll's duality.

Themes and Literary Techniques

• Metaphors and Euphemisms: Used to hint at hidden aspects of personalities and society.
• Allegory for Homosexuality: Novella interpreted as reflecting the hidden lives and repression in Victorian society.
• Psychoanalytical Criticism: Explores the primitive duality and contrasting philosophical views on human nature.

Philosophical Context

• Hobbes vs Locke/Rousseau: Different views on human nature.
  • Hobbes: Pessimistic view - humans naturally selfish and brutish.
  • Locke/Rousseau: Optimistic view - humans naturally tolerant and good.
• Dr. Jekyll's Belief: Humans are inherently both good and bad.

Dr. Jekyll's Struggle and Downfall

• Nourishing Darkness: Spending too much time on darker self leads to unbalance.
• Transformation and Pride: Pride leads to Hyde's dominance over Jekyll.
• Inevitability of Dual Nature: Dual nature is a burden everyone carries.
• Tragic End: Mr. Hyde’s suicide signifies the ultimate consequence of failing to balance dual self.

Conclusion

• Reflection: Encourages considering which side of our personalities we nourish.
• Overall Message: Complexity of man’s dual nature and the importance of balance.