The Juxtaposition In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

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Recommended: Major themes in the strange case dr jekyll and mr hyde self reflection

The Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson published the gothic novella ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ on 5th January 1886. The novella set in London follows the story of a lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates the strange events that occur with Dr. Jekyll, an old friend, and the evil Mr. Hyde. In chapter one we explore the London streets as Mr Enfield, a good friend of Utterson, and Utterson gossip about a run in Enfield had with Hyde. London is presented a dangerous place in the opening chapter. Firstly, Stevenson presents a busy street of London and describes it in two different ways. Stevenson wrote ‘What is called quiet, but it drove a thriving trade’. The interesting juxtaposition cleverly highlights the duality of London and how it is the same place yet can still be different. This also relates back to Stevenson’s childhood as he grew up with duality surrounding him in his everyday life. Stevenson knew of a woodworker who was very respected amongst the people of New town. However, this was quickly demolished when it was discovered that he was a thief in Old town by night. …show more content…

Stevenson penned ‘Laying out the surplus of the grains in coquetry’ which clearly insinuates that London is a very unpleasant and ugly city because people are trying to make the city beautiful so that people but their items. Furthermore, Stevenson described the city in this manner to represent the darkness hidden in the depths of the city and also represent that all the secrets of the city has taken a toll on it. Likewise, Stevenson grew with politicians and church ministers whose nature was evil compared to their nature. As Stevenson grew up he began to associate himself with people from New town because he believed they were more real and weren’t overflowing with dark secrets of

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