Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Characterization

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a fiction novel written around 1886. This novel is a science fiction horror-mystery set in Victorian London, England (Stevenson and Wolf). Dr. Jekyll enjoys the advantages of his double life to have as an outlet for his undignified desires; however, after some time, finds that having two separate lives does not mean two separate bodies. Mr. Hyde, experiencing the benefits of living an unrestricted independent life, ends up being held for murder. He and Dr. Jekyll face the consequences although Mr. Hyde is the one with blood on his hands. Being monstrous, Mr. Hyde’s evil is exposed through his appearance and questionable blackmailing of Dr. Jekyll: “Poor old Harry Jekyll, if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is that of [Mr. Hyde] your new friend” (Stevenson 30). The Victorian citizens become suspicious and deduce that Mr. Hyde is responsible for the recent crimes and murder. Stevenson illustrates characterization and personification to enhance the wickedness and tameness of the two characters; without these literary devices the suspense and duality would be lost.

Hyde illustrates that his internal evil reflects on his external exterior. Mr. Utterson, a London lawyer, and Mr. Enfield, a London gentleman, are discussing an odd occurrence nights prior in the same neighborhood that they are taking a Sunday stroll. In this unusual incident, Enfield describes a horrid, ghastly man that harmed an innocent child: “He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something down-right detestable…” (Stevenson 12). Mr. Enfield describes the abnormal man as if there is a sense of some unnatural and repugnant features this man embraces. This characterization of the loathsome man, Mr. Hyde, from Mr. Enfield’s use of words indicates Mr. Hyde’s unpleasant actions correspond with his