Let's try again (in the right order this time). Edward Hyde isn’t quite what he seems. A thread: 👇
🐍 From 'hissing' like a snake to 'snarling' like a wild animal, Stevenson evokes a sense of danger & taps into 19th-century theories on evolution. With references to troglodytes and apes, the novella explores fears of devolution and the animal within us. #Darwin #Evolution
The murder of Danvers Carew taps into Victorian society's fears of the lower classes. Hyde, representing the dangerous elements of London, clashes with Carew's upper-class demeanour, revealing a societal divide. #VictorianSociety #ClassStruggle
But what if Hyde represents the true, hidden nature of upper-class Victorian society? Stevenson hints at this through Hyde's gentlemanly behaviour and tasteful living arrangements. #HiddenNature #Duality
Hyde's lodgings, filled with luxurious items and sophisticated taste, parallel Dr. Jekyll's home. Stevenson challenges the reader to question the dual nature of humanity, suggesting that everyone is capable of evil. #Stevenson #Duality
Many crimes & events in the novella take place at night, a setting associated with evil. But it's not just Hyde out at night – respectable gentlemen like Enfield & Carew roam the streets, hinting at their sinister sides.
Just as Hyde's actions reveal hidden evil, so do the actions of middle- and upper-class society. The most commonly used word to describe Hyde is ‘gentleman’ – a link to the idea that he’s not the horrific monster we at first imagine.
Want to explore these ideas further? Check out the video analysis here:
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