Amelia Bell

Mrs Gardner

Honors English 10

7 November 2016

The Meaning Behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

D'Ammassa, Don. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, New York: Facts

Literature,
On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's

http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=103186&SID=5&iPin=ESF1

39&SingleRecord=True.

The main idea that Don DAmmassa elaborates on in her notes about The Strange Case Of

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are the connections between this novel and the real world, as well as this

book and other literatures. DAmmassa compares Robert Stevensons work to Mary Shelleys

Frankenstein, claiming they both tell the tale of a man who becomes so rapt in blindly pursuing

knowledge, he ignores the fatal consequences of his own creation. DAmmassa just as well connects

the book to modern life by asserting that you can take the book as a warning for many things, such

as the beast that we all know lives inside of us, or not to use drugs ignorantly.

Comparing the work to other examples, DAmmassas article on The Strange Case Of Dr.

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde helps the reader to better understand the theme of the novel as a whole.

DAmmassa gives reasons for the importance of the book, and why it should be read by claiming

the application of the book to be universal, and relating it to examples the reader will understand.

DAmmassa also guides the reader on what should be obvious ideas in the book: ideas such as the

fact that Dr. Jekylls experiment is doomed to failure due to his inevitable humanity.

Panesar, Gurdip. "Stevenson, Robert Louis." Facts On File Companion to the British Short
 Facts On File, Inc., 2007, Bloom's Literature,
Story, Andrew In Maunder, New York:

www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=103186&SID=5&iPin=CBSS0372

&SingleRecord=True.

Gurdip Panesar begins by telling of Robert Louis Stevensons early life: his frequent

periods of ill health and physical inactivity which lead to the exercising of his creative imagination.

Along with reviewing facts on Stevensons life and the many books that he has written, Panesar

explains Stevensons motives, and the reasons behind his interest in fantasy and adventure.

Repeating ideas such as the father/son relationship and the recurring London setting are also

elaborated in Panesars notes.

Panesar guides the reader to a deeper understanding of the meaning and reasons behind

The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He explains how the work incorporates Stevensons

interests, such as the nature of evil (Mr. Hyde) vs. good (Dr. Jekyll), along with themes previously

developed in his past works, such as the good father (Dr. Jekyll) and rebellious son (Mr. Hyde)

concept. Panesar tells how these ideas may have been influenced by Stevensons past life and

childhood, which brings the reader closer to a more personal understanding of the novel.

Piper, Jr., August. "Multiple Personality Disorder: Witchcraft Survives in the Twentieth...."

Skeptical Inquirer, May/June 1998: 44-50.SIRS Issues Researcher,

http://sks.sirs.com/webapp/article?artno=0000022068&type=ART

The rapidly increasing condition of multiple personality disorder, or MPD, is the main topic of

August Pipers article. People are claiming that alter egos or personalities take over their body

involuntarily, affecting their memories, behavior, and state of mind. Though the epidemic is harshly

criticized and widely controversial, it is claimed that at least one tenth of all Americans now report having

the condition.
 Knowing what MPD is and that it is a common condition, even in modern days, helps the reader

to relate to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It helps to connect the old fictional novel to

modern concerns, and guide the readers understanding of what may Dr. Jekyll may be experiencing.

Sappenfield, Mark. "Challenges of Capturing Today's Dr. Jekylls." Christian Science Monitor. 04 Mar.

2005: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher,

http://sks.sirs.com/webapp/article?artno=0000212363&type=ART

In his notes, Mark Sappenfield, staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor, discusses the idea

that many modern criminals and serial killers live the way Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde do in Stevensons

novel. The technology and online media that have developed of late especially make it easier for a person

to avoid socializing with their own neighbors and community, whiles still staying in touch with the

outside world. This, in turn, provides for a seemingly normal and good-natured appearance for those who

secretly have a dark, murderous side to them, just as Dr. Jekyll had.

Sappenfields notes on this case connect the issues in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to real life

examples, which give the reader a more personal connection with the novel. However, because the topic

of his article is so morbid and grave, it fiercely strikes the reader's attention, making them wonder about

the state of their own neighbors and community in regards to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydes unhealthy case of

double personality.

Stade, George. "Stevenson, Robert Louis." Encyclopedia of British Writers, Karen Karbiener, 1800 to

the Present, Second Edition, New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literature,

www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=103186&SID=5&iPin=EBWEP403&Si

ngleRecord=True.
 George Stade and Karen Karbiener begin by illustrating Stevensons life timeline, by associating

each significant moment with a book or work he had written during that time period. Stade and Karbiener

then assess Stevensons life and interests based on the books and poems he had written in his short life,

and the styles and themes they took on.

This article presents detailed and well structured notes on the life of Robert Louis Stevenson. By

elaborating on Stevensons interests and fascinations, such as dark characters and adventure and

fantasy, Stade and Karbiener broaden the readers understanding of not only The Strange Case of Dr.

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but all of Stevensons works.

Wright, Daniel L. ""the Prisonhouse of My Disposition": A Study of the Psychology of Addiction in Dr.

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Studies in the Novel(Denton), vol. 26, 2004., pp. 254. ProQuest Learning,

http://literature.proquestlearning.com/quick/displayMultiItem.do?Multi=yes&ResultsID=157988

B8766&forAuthor=0&QueryName=criticism&ItemNumber=4

Unlike most critics who read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and dismiss Jekylls

strange occurrences as a of case double personality, Daniel L Wright believes his doings were caused

simply by addiction. Though many signs point towards the conclusion of a double personality disorder,

Wright believes it to be very clear that Jekyll becomes an addict for the chemicals that form him into

Hyde, hence his inability to control his transformations.

Though the notes themselves are slightly over complicated, the meaning behind Wrights words

help the reader to better understand the doings of Robert Stevensons characters, Jekyll and Hyde. The

unique idea or take on the causes of Jekyll's split personality help to expand the readers comprehension

of the work.