The Sources of Duality in Stevenson's "Jekyll and Hyde"

Paper Summary:

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a perfect example of a story whose inspiration derives from experiences and emotions within its author's life. The paper shows how Robert Louis Stevenson, who published the now famous tale of duality in 1886, was, without a doubt, influenced by several factors that he had seen, felt and read throughout his life. The paper examines how the idea of duality, a major theme embodying the work, was witnessed and experienced by Stevenson throughout his entire existence. As a result, it is reflected in the pages of the author's chilling tale of split identity. The paper shows how these influences formed the basis for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's storyline, characters and, most importantly, major theme.

From the Paper:

"Stevenson's years as a young man in Edinburgh are then directly laid out in Jekyll and Hyde. Remembering his own desires, which he then acted out, as a student, Stevenson created a doctor with similar desires, who takes his wants to extreme levels. Though he was able to balance a dual life, virtuous student by day and rabble-rouser by night, it is very likely that Stevenson at times flirted with disaster. Perhaps his less respectable actions, at some point in time, almost caught up with him and could have tarnished a bit of his name. With this scenario as a strong possibility, one can see where Stevenson's idea of one in a similar (though more elaborate and obviously fictional) scenario could end badly. Though the author never had his name hurt by insidious rumors or events, his main character is destroyed by them. Stevenson played the game, and won. However, disaster was always a possibility, and with this previous knowledge, Stevenson's Jekyll loses a parallel game."

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