The Almost Modern Novels

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that many of the conflicting themes of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (1897) and of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1886) can be better understood from the standpoint of their representing the transition from Victorian to modern literature. The author compares the transitional themes in these novels: the very free expression of sexuality, the battle between Western science and the old-time folklore and the idea of people being able to control nature. The paper concludes that "Dracula" is more Victorian then modern because, despite its bold sexuality and its denial of modern science, the tale has a happy ending where evil is vanquished and good prevails, which is not the case in "Jekyll and Hyde".

From the Paper:

"Despite Stevenson's lack of a sexual aspect to his novel, his story does explore the concept of what was and what was not socially acceptable in the Victorian world. The character of Jekyll represents the prim and proper side of life that was deemed acceptable in the Victorian Period. His alter-ego, Hyde, was the opposite. He overindulges in mayhem and murder and eventually becomes too powerful for the good in Jekyll to overcome. Stevenson explores the notion that all persons have "two natures that fly in the field of consciousness". Just as "Dracula "flies in the face of repression of sexuality, "Jekyll and Hyde" disregards the notion of repressing darker and non-mainstream emotions."

More papers on The Almost Modern Novels:

• Book Review # 140774 : "Bernard Cornwell's "The Last Kingdom"
• Book Review # 150026 : "The Art of Fielding"
• Analytical Essay # 67261 : "Phantom of the Opera"

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