Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydes, The Horror Genre

How successfully does Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ use the conventions of

horror genre?

Author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the novel ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’

in 1885. It is said that the idea for the novel came to Stevenson in a

dream that he had, he then wrote the book within six days. Stevenson

was frequently ill throughout his childhood meaning he spent a lot of

time in bed reading stories this is where his extraordinary

imagination came from. He was also fascinated by the story of Deacon

Broody the man who was a cabinetmaker by day and a robber by night

this is where he got the idea of the dual identity of Dr Jekyll and Mr

Hyde. Stevenson had a strict Christian background and grew up learning

the clear difference between good and evil. As a student he used to

rebel against his parents by visiting the seedy old streets of

Edinburgh. On some occasions he even invented a false name so that

there would be no consequences a bit like the character of Edward

Hyde.

In the Horror genre, rules have developed which are unsettling stories

designed to frighten, panic and to invoke our hidden worst fears,

while captivating and entertaining us at the same time. Horror stories

effectively centre on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and

strange events. They deal with our most primal nature and its fears.

They are usually set in spooky old mansions, castles, or fog-shrouded,

dark and shadowy locations. Their main characters have included

grotesque creatures, ranging from vampires, demented madmen, devils,

monsters and mad scientists to demons, zombies, werewolves and freaks.

In the case of “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” the reader is drawn into an

environment richly described and painted with references to feelings,

weathe...

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traditional horror conventions he changes them slightly. Although it

has many horror conventions it also has many symbolic parts to it the

fact that Jekyll changes his name to Hyde is like he is trying to hide

the fact that they are the same person. It also may fall into the

category of being a mystery novel as we find out the plot of the story

as Mr. Utterson unveils the clues until we find out the truth. I found

that the description of Hyde being like some sort of ferocious beast

was very effective as it conjures up an image in your head and almost

makes the reader afraid of him even though he is a fictional

character. Stevenson is also very secretive about the character of

Jekyll as most of the novel of focused on the terrifying behaviour of

Hyde all we know about him is that he is a well renowned doctor that

is performing unorthodox experiments.