Robot Says…

The context of "The Enlightenment" and the rise of rationalism plays a significant role in understanding the novel's exploration of the duality of human nature. The period's emphasis on reason and science challenged traditional religious beliefs, mirroring the internal conflict within Dr Jekyll as he attempts to reconcile his moral and immoral sides.
Charles Darwin’s "The Origin of Species" (1859) introduced the idea of evolution and natural selection, which destabilised many Victorian religious certainties. This scientific upheaval is reflected in Dr Jekyll’s experiments, as he uses science to pursue his own personal evolution. His transformation into Mr Hyde represents an uncontrolled, primal state that aligns with fears about humanity's animalistic origins.
The Victorian era was marked by tension between religion and science. This is evident in the novel through Dr Jekyll’s struggle to reconcile his scientific pursuits with his moral and spiritual beliefs. As Jekyll reflects, “I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest.” This line highlights his internal division and the broader societal conflict between faith and rationalism.
Religion in the Victorian context viewed humanity as inherently sinful but capable of redemption through faith. Conversely, Mr Hyde embodies unchecked sin and depravity, which suggests a rejection of religious morality in favour of scientific experimentation. Jekyll’s failure to control Hyde symbolises the dangers of abandoning religious principles entirely.
Science, as represented by Dr Jekyll’s experiments, is portrayed as both a tool for enlightenment and a force of destruction. The novel warns of the ethical responsibilities tied to scientific progress, echoing Victorian fears about overstepping moral boundaries in the pursuit of knowledge.
The novel’s Gothic elements, such as the dark, foggy streets of London and Mr Hyde’s grotesque appearance, further emphasise the fear of the unknown and the consequences of abandoning traditional religious values for the uncertainties of rationalism and science.
The duality of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde can also be read as a critique of Victorian society’s strict moral codes, which often masked darker, hidden desires. This aligns with the Enlightenment idea of exposing truth, but it also critiques the period’s overconfidence in reason as a means to fully understand or control human nature.
Finally, the novel’s conclusion, with Dr Jekyll’s ultimate downfall, underscores the limits of human knowledge and the dangers of hubris. In his final confession, Jekyll writes, “I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.” This tragic ending reflects both the Enlightenment's optimism about human potential and the darker, unintended consequences of its ideals. </aside>

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