The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Example for Free

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Discuss the authors theme of the duality of man and the techniques he employs to convey this to the reader. Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most pioneering authors of his time, and is seen in the modern literary world as an author of extraordinary human understanding and an author who wrote way ahead of his time. His knowledge of the era in which he lived is now seen as praiseworthy, as his themes were often underwritten with the tones of the era that he wished to address. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has such clarity in theme and message that it is, upon reflection, an effective insight into human nature. The novella begins with the introduction of the character who becomes the narrator of the story Mr Utterson. His friend, Mr Enfield, tells him a story about a mysterious man who trampled a small girl by night. This intrigues Mr Utterson, and soon links between this man, named Hyde, and a respectable doctor (and a friend of Utterson) named Jekyll. Utterson immediately believes Hyde is blackmailing Jekyll, but as the story unravels, we discover Jekyll and Hyde is actually the same person. Jekyll eventually realises he will succumb to the power of his alter-ego, and debates what Hyde will do after his potion runs out it is revealed midway through the novella that he takes his own life. Stevensons use of the theme of duality of man is one of the most effectively hidden, but most profound, studies into human character in Victorian literature, and the author uses the intelligent character of Jekyll to self-chronicle the change that take place. This becomes apparent in the early stages of the novella, when Jekyll asserts that the human soul could be seen as a battleground between an angel and fiend. This shows Jekylls self-awareness and, despite this, Jekyll still succumbs to the evil will of Hyde. This could be explained by another section of his own narrative, in which he sees no repugnance as he sees himself as Hyde for the first time, and even that it is rather of a leap of welcome. This is the polar opposite of the feelings of the others in the story who witness Hyde physically, all of whom describe Hyde as offensively ugly and deformed. This highlights that every man harbours a secret willingness to commit these crimes and see themselves without the morals and civil attitude we abide by. One of the most clear hints at the authors main theme comes with the final chapter in the novella, and once again Jekylls narrative. He insists, repeatedly, that man is not one, but two, and he then goes to describe how he has always had an inner darkness that he has repressed. The importance of Jekyll as the one of the main ambassadors of Stevensons theme in the story is obvious and it can even be said that Jekyll personifies the thoughts of Stevenson and his ideas. Stevensons effective use of setting and contrasts in this setting is another key method he utilises to illustrate the split personality of Jekyll and Hyde. London is frequently described very fully and with a lot of detail in the novella, however the descriptions are not consistent and reflect the mood of the main character. In the middle of the novel, when Hyde murders Sir Danvers Carew in cold blood at night, London is full of a glow of rich, lurid brown through the eyes of Mr Utterson, suggesting that the darkness and evil of Hyde is beginning to taint Londons very atmosphere, much like Jekylls steady tainting of his own body. As the narrative progresses, a thick fog begins to descend upon the city, which progresses as Hydes reign of senseless murder, and Jekylls crisis of control over his alter-ego, deepens. At the beginning of the story, though, London is described as bustling centre of commerce. Clearly, the author uses the setting as another means of allowing the reader subtle access to the changes between Jekyll and Hyde. Often throughout the novel, the characters who are speaking or narrating, or even the third-person narrator, refuse to communicate their fears or disgust at what is occurring. Such failure of articulation is present even from the start, as Utterson and Enfield refuse to discuss the nature of Hydes personal appearance and characteristics. Whilst this could be easily be attributed to natural disgust at Hydes physicalities, further similar events cannot be explained so easily. The most apparent example of this rejection of language comes when Hydes sordid behaviour and his life vices are not described. This could be due to the period in which it is written Victorian society was one of ignorance and self-promotion as opposed to truth although this explanation doesnt cover it completely. More likely is that Stevenson wanted to expose this nuance of his era that he had a dislike for, and wanted to allow the majority of the horror of Hyde to be personal to the reader, to allow them to decide just how far the duality of man could be applied to them placing a definite article on Hydes most appalling aspects would allow the reader to convince themselves that this split personality does not affect them, whereas leaving it open does not give them this comfort barrier. Amorality is one way of interpreting Jekylls split personality, as Hyde seems to represent Jekyll without his moral barrier and reputation to uphold; however, this could also be interpreted as immorality the crucial difference is the knowledge that the moral boundaries exist in the first place. It is never quite clear if Hyde realises what he is doing is wrong, suggesting amorality, however the fact he takes great pleasure in killing suggests much the opposite immorality. Even though Hyde is often referred to as being animalistic in appearance and nature Utterson even describes him as a troglodyte, a very primitive creature his pent-up anger and frustration that is always released in a shocking way is immediately applicable to most urban readers leading to the shocking revelation that Stevenson not only hints at mans duality, but as civilisation as a whole on the outside, it is amicable and genial, but inside it harbours fury and madness. This is another effective method of demonstrating the stark contrasts in human nature and the duality of our very being. The ambiguity of Stevensons overall message actually becomes another method of enhancing its effectiveness. The actual duality of man could be described as being a complete contrast that is, we are all Jekylls with a Hyde waiting below our civilised faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade. Clearly, this would show that the interrelation between the characters is the most affecting and thought-provoking part of the novel. However, the other interpretation of the theme, equally backed up with evidence, is that we are all, in essence, one hundred percent Hyde with a veneer of civilisation in Jekyll. The fact that, in the text, Jekyll eventually loses all control of his transformation into Hyde and, eventually, any semblance of his old self altogether, is proof of this. This is the much more shocking of the two possibilities, suggesting that our very world is a cover and humans left to their most immoral and animalistic devices are akin to the revolting Hyde. The combination of possibilities left unsolved at the end of the novella makes the theme much more compelling and intriguing as the hints left question the society in which people live, as well as challenging them strongly and directly. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a perfect example of a well thought-out, universally applicable and well-written story. Stevenson has set out from the beginning to make a story that will not just live long in the memory of the reader like so many other themes, but rather it will challenge the reader to search themselves for the personality traits that make Hyde such a revolting, but strangely fascinating, character to study. The duality of man is a theme that could be covered with an indirect and abstract plotline but Stevensons choice of making the thriller so personal and penetrating has changed the way the authors of today relate to the reader and communicate their themes.

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People say that the first step to success is finding out what you want and then giving yourself to it with all your heart. I have partly found myself by making one of the most important decisions of my life - choosing a profession, and now I study Management at YSU’s faculty of Economics. I have to admit that I haven't always been a student with top marks as I connected my goal of becoming a good specialist with an experience rather than a qualification. Now I realize that the harder I work at the university, the closer I get to my profession. However, like most of my fellow students, I dream of breaking out of my academic routine and getting skills that standard lectures will never provide. Through applying to this project I have made my decision on choosing an exchange country that fits me most, and I hope that I fit it either, with my statements that are introduced below. Several things interest me about the US as an exchange student, and I want to introduce them from practical, sociocultural and after all, a little bit â€Å"selfish† aspects. First, US Universities have much to offer me as a student by giving out an opportunity to study precisely what I’m interested in, in a more different way than I've been used to in my current university. In other words, American education methods meet students’ objectives and raise analytical thinkers with skills of a potential leader. That is part of what makes it such an interesting place to study. Besides, studying in a country with mixed culture which is also filled with international students has another advantage: that is becoming part of the Global youth and exploring my opportunities, obtaining self-confidence, as well as breaking some stereotypes through interactions and ... ...a western education they are motivated to make major contributions to the development of their countries with a clear aim of building a democratic society by sharing experience and knowledge with others. I have the qualities of struggling for the implementation of the goals that I have always wanted to achieve and even if they don’t work sometimes, at least I know that I dreamed out loud. So I would like to study in the USA by means of this program, because it teaches a lot in a short time and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thus, I am ready to be an exchange student for my willingness to continue the endeavors of Global UGRAD alumni: i.e. I have to be a good ambassador of my country, enrich my knowledge reservoir and use it for the benefit of the public sector in my community. This is my full understanding of what is required from any exchange student.

Macbeth What are the roles of the witches Essay

Banquo himself appears at the end of the line with a mirror, thus implying an infinite number of descendants. Stupefied, Macbeth cannot believe his eyes and is angered to realize that despite all of his work, he wears a â€Å"fruitless crown. † The witches disappear and Lennox enters the haunt. He informs Macbeth that Macduff has run off to England. Macbeth decides that he must act out all of his thoughts and impulses. He determines to kill Macduff’s wife and children as his first step of revenge. Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. These lines are two of the most famous in all of Shakespeare’s works. Interestingly, the chants of the Weird Sisters are not written in Shakespeare’s primary meter, iambic pentameter, but in a rapid meter called trochaic tetrameter. Most of Shakespeare’s enchanted verse is written in trochaic tetrameter. As the chanting went on with the sisters more gruesome things got thrown into the cauldron. The ingredients start fairly small and gradually get bigger and harder to find. It starts off with the witches throwing poisoned entrails in and ends up with them throwing a gut of a starving shark or a dragon scale. The witches know something evil is on its way to knock at there door. The second witch say: â€Å"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes, Open locks, whoever knocks† And guess who it is Macbeth. The witches made this evil potion because they knew that something evil was on its way. Its like they were expecting Macbeth to come and they seem quite excited about it as well. When the consequences of the murders of Duncan and Banquo are too much for him to handle, his primal instinct is to go back to the witches. They are now his only hope. It is an admission that he cannot control things any longer and from this point on in the play we just know he is going to die. He returns to the witches because they are his last straw. They are now his only hope. He has been hit by what the consequences could be for murdering Duncan and Banquo. He has gone back to seek advice and help from the witches. He doesn’t know what to do next with his life. His life has been destroyed by evil and ambition combined. Macbeth again tries to control the witches he is commanding them to answer his questions: â€Å"How now you secret, black and midnight hags! What is’t you do? † â€Å"Tell me, thou unknown power† He is trying to control them he tries to question them and overpower them. In the end the witches disappear because they don’t like being commanded by anyone. Macbeth must be scared and confused in which the way the witches talk to him he asks them question and they give confusing and mysterious answers like: â€Å"A deed without a name† The three apparitions in Macbeth show: The first is an armed head, summoned to warn Macbeth that Macduff is coming back to Scotland to ruin him. The second apparition is a bloody child and it tells Macbeth that no man born of a woman can do him harm. This gives Macbeth great confidence: â€Å"Then live Macduff: what need I fear of thee? â€Å". The third apparition is that of a child wearing a crown and holding a tree. It declares: Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him. Macbeth is secure that the third apparition’s prophecy will never be, for ‘who can impress the forest? ‘ or ‘bid the tree unfix his earth-bound roots? ‘ Macbeth is misled by these apparitions he gets cocky and things no harm will come to him because he thinks that no one woman can live and that the Forrest cant move the only one that he is scared about is the third one where he is told that Banquo’s kids will be kings. There was no need to kill Mcduff’s family Macbeth just got cocky. Macbeth thought he owned the world when he got told no woman born could harm him. At the beginning of the play Macbeth got compared to a brave and noble man, but at the end he is described as a butcher because he just killed living things for no purpose. He done it out of pure evil it weren’t even his family that he killed he killed his castle and everybody in it even his animals. In conclusion to this I think that by using the roles of the witches give off a nightmarish and evilness into the play. The witches were horrible characters. They just destroyed Macbeth’s life. I don’t think that Macbeth was in charge of his own life. I think that Macbeth’s destiny lay in the hands of the witches from the beginning of the play to the end of the play. So overall I think the witches did give off an evil sense. Paul Carew 10B English Mr Lynn Page 1 Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Miscellaneous section.

The True Nature of the Human Being Essay - 725 Words

One of the odd yet interesting ideas that philosophers demand be debated is that of the true nature of the human being. Even though probably each philosopher has his own unique perception of the true nature of the human being, philosophers tend to share some of the same basic attributes in their definition. After reading Platos five dialogues and Descartes six meditations, I am lead to believe that both philosophers commonly share the idea that the human being is able to exist without the physical body; Plato through the soul and Descartes through the mind. Besides the common thought of the existence of the human being separate from the body, Plato and Descartes also strongly teach that human beings come with certain†¦show more content†¦After reading this, it is extremely evident that Plato agrees with Descartes in saying the senses deceive the mind, and the human is therefore able to exist separate from the physical body. Besides the two philosophers agreeing about the distinct existence of the human being outside the body, both philosophers seem to believe humans are born with certain ideas present within their minds. Plato teaches that after the physical body dies, the soul lives on by entering Hades where it will eventually be given a new physical body in the real world. Which form of a new body this soul takes depends on its last attempt at a pure, clean life. Since this soul has already lived a past life, its mind knows everything needed to survive life. It is up to the body to recollect this previous knowledge; meaning learning is truly recollection. Plato argues his point in saying, As the soul is immortal, has been born often and has seen all things here and in the underworld, there is nothing which it has not learned; so it is in no way surprising that it can recollect the things it knew before, both about virtue and other things (Plato 70). 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