Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

Throughout the novel, Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, Richard Stevenson creates a story that undermines the innocence of man through the use of allegorical undertones. The story is notorious for its dual personality theme of evil versus good, a human trait instilled in all. A 1941 movie adaptation gives the story by Stevenson a new perspective. The director brings in a love story which helps play up the frailties of man. Through the movie interpretation the audience gets a different sense of what man can be and by using Dr. Jekyll's perspective helps the audience build a connection.

All humans have frailties, but some try harder than others to hide them. Throughout the novel Stevenson brings to the surface the ugly truth of human nature. The same story line is depicted in the 1941 movie adaptation starring Spencer Tracy, but this time intertwined with an element of love. This helps develop a connection with the audience since most humans believe, “It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all” (Alfred Lord Tennyson). This shows that humans long for a sentimental connection. Fear of being alone is overwhelming in itself. Dr.Jekyll played by Spencer Tracy, has a love interest that he would do anything for. The good in Jekyll is shown through the care and affection he gives to Beatrice. “There’s nothing about you I don’t like”, Jekyll says to Beatrice (Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, 1941). And when Jekyll is the good version of himself he would not dare to do anything that may hurt or upset her. But when Dr.Jekyll is his degenerative self it is apparent that the love melts away, as if it never even existed. Instead, Hyde seeks power and control over an ex-barmaid, Ivy. The element of love helps portray that go...

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.... Although it is a human instinct and every man is capable of it, the struggle is to try and hide it. Richard Stevenson made it apparent through his story of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde that duality of humans exist. It is as if everyone has a split personality and is in constant struggle between both. The 1941 movie adaptation creates a different element of love. It helps create a more appealing story line, which helps the audience relate. Through two different perspectives of both Mr.Utterson and Dr.Jekyll himself it gives the story a new component and lets the audience dive into the evil and good within us.

Works Cited

Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. Victor Fleming. Warner Bros, 1941. Amazon. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. .

Stevenson, Robert Louis. Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. N.p., 1886. Feedbooks. Web. 6 Dec. 2010. .