'Jekyll and Hyde' Analysis: Understanding the Author

Summary

The video delves into the life and influences of Robert Louis Stevenson, exploring how his upbringing shaped his famous work, 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.' Born into a strict Victorian family, Stevenson struggled with illness and a double life—one of public respectability and private rebellion. His formative years, heavily influenced by his devout nanny, introduced him to the ideas of good versus evil, themes that would later pervade his writing. His battle between societal expectations and personal desires mirrors the split personalities in 'Jekyll and Hyde,' offering a deeply personal reflection on the complexity of human nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stevenson was a prominent 19th-century writer, known for his works such as 'Treasure Island' and 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'
• 😀 'Treasure Island' is primarily considered a children's book, despite being highly regarded for its literary quality.
• 😀 Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1850, to a well-respected engineer father and a religious mother.
• 😀 Stevenson was a sickly child, often bedridden due to illnesses like tuberculosis, which led to his education being handled by private tutors.
• 😀 Stevenson's father, Thomas, believed his son would follow in his footsteps as an engineer, but Stevenson was drawn to writing instead.
• 😀 His strict, Calvinist nanny, Alison Cunningham, greatly influenced his upbringing and introduced him to stories about hell, sacrifice, and morality.
• 😀 As a child, Stevenson had nightmares involving hell and the afterlife, which deeply affected his psyche and later influenced his writing.
• 😀 Victorian society placed great emphasis on the public and private personas of individuals, particularly with respect to behavior and sexuality.
• 😀 Stevenson often explored the duality of human nature, evident in his personal experiences and reflected in his writing, particularly in 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'
• 😀 Stevenson's public life as a promising engineer contrasted with his private desire to be a writer, echoing the theme of duality in his most famous work.
• 😀 The themes of hidden desires, morality, and the struggle between the public and private selves in Victorian society are central to 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'

Q & A

What was Robert Louis Stevenson's early life like?

Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 1850. He had a difficult childhood due to health problems, being often bedridden and missing long periods of school. His education was provided by private tutors, and he spent time in bed while receiving lessons. His father, a successful engineer, expected him to follow in his footsteps, though Stevenson had other aspirations.

How did Stevenson's health affect his childhood?

Stevenson's health struggles, likely due to tuberculosis, kept him away from regular school and limited his social interactions. His parents sought various treatments and medications for his illnesses. These health issues profoundly shaped his childhood, fostering a sense of isolation that influenced his later works.

What role did Stevenson's nanny, Alison Cunningham, play in his upbringing?

Alison Cunningham, a strict Calvinist, had a significant influence on Stevenson's early life. She raised him with strong religious teachings, emphasizing the fear of hell and sin. Her stories about the Covenanters and the consequences of immoral behavior shaped his worldview and influenced the themes of duality and moral conflict found in his works.

How did Stevenson’s parents’ expectations affect his career choices?

Stevenson’s father expected him to become an engineer, believing that school was unnecessary for this path. He thought Stevenson should learn through apprenticeship. However, Stevenson was uninterested in engineering and wanted to be a writer, which created tension between him and his father, who discouraged his literary ambitions.

What impact did Victorian society have on Stevenson's writing, particularly *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*?

Victorian society placed heavy emphasis on moral behavior and maintaining a respectable public image, particularly regarding sexuality and social norms. Stevenson’s awareness of the rigid divide between private desires and public conduct, as well as his own internal conflict, greatly influenced his exploration of duality in *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*.

What is the significance of the duality theme in *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*?

The duality theme in *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* reflects Stevenson’s own experiences with the conflict between his public and private selves. The story explores the tension between a person’s respectable persona and their hidden, darker desires, highlighting the possibility of a person being driven by two opposing forces.

How did Stevenson's personal experiences shape the character of Dr. Jekyll?

Stevenson’s personal struggle with societal expectations, his illness, and his desire to break away from his father’s wishes informed the character of Dr. Jekyll. Like Stevenson, Jekyll battles between the moral, respectable man he is in public and the reckless, immoral side that he tries to suppress but ultimately gives in to.

What connection exists between Stevenson's relationships with prostitutes and the themes in *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*?

Stevenson’s association with lower-class individuals, including prostitutes, in Edinburgh’s Old Town highlights the theme of dual lives. Many of his upper-class customers were also living double lives, presenting a façade of respectability while indulging in secretive, immoral behavior. This parallel mirrors the duality seen in *Jekyll and Hyde*.

What is the meaning of the 'other fellow' Stevenson refers to in his letters?

In his letters, Stevenson referred to the 'other fellow' as a reckless, careless, and irrational part of his personality. This concept of an internal, darker self influenced the creation of *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*, where Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde represents the release of this hidden, uncontrolled persona.

Why is *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* considered a deeply personal story for Stevenson?

The novel reflects Stevenson’s own experiences with internal conflict, duality, and societal expectations. He felt torn between his public image as a respected person and his private desires, which were at odds with the social norms of his time. These personal struggles are embodied in the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.