Robot Says…

The Victorian society in which the novel is set held strict moral codes and social expectations, which are central to understanding the conflict in the story. The duality of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represents the tension between public respectability and private desires.
Dr Jekyll is a respected figure in society, described as "a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty," which reflects the importance of outward appearance and reputation in Victorian culture.
The repression of darker instincts and desires, as dictated by societal expectations, drives Dr Jekyll to create Mr Hyde. He admits, "I concealed my pleasures," highlighting the pressure to conform to societal norms.
The transformation into Mr Hyde allows Dr Jekyll to indulge in behaviours that would be deemed unacceptable. Hyde is described as "pure evil," which contrasts sharply with Jekyll's public image and emphasises the hypocrisy within Victorian society.
The fear and disgust that Hyde provokes in others, described as "something downright detestable," reflect the societal rejection of anything that deviates from conventional morality or propriety.
Through the character of Mr Utterson, Stevenson portrays the importance of maintaining one's reputation. Utterson's loyalty to Dr Jekyll despite his suspicions reflects the Victorian value of discretion and the reluctance to confront scandals.
The novel critiques the rigidity of societal expectations, suggesting that such repression leads to destructive consequences. Dr Jekyll laments, "I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest," highlighting the internal conflict caused by societal pressures.
The downfall of Dr Jekyll serves as a warning about the dangers of living a double life and the strain of meeting societal expectations. His final admission, "I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end," underscores the devastating impact of this duality.
The novel ultimately suggests that the rigid expectations of society fail to acknowledge the complexity of human nature, where good and evil coexist within every individual. </aside>

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Relating to… Society & Expectations

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