Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) is a Gothic novella that explores the complexities of human nature, morality, and scientific ambition. Through the tragic downfall of Dr. Jekyll, Stevenson examines the dangers of repression, the duality of man, and the conflict between science and religion. The novel remains a powerful exploration of Victorian anxieties and the darker aspects of human psychology.

At the heart of the novel lies the idea that every individual contains both good and evil within them. Jekyll’s experiment is driven by his belief that these opposing forces can be separated, allowing him to indulge his darker desires without damaging his reputation:
"Man is not truly one, but truly two."

Jekyll as the Respectable Gentleman vs. Hyde as the Unrestrained Monster

Jekyll represents the socially acceptable side of humanity—rational, kind, and controlled—while Hyde embodies unfiltered immorality, driven by instinct and cruelty. Hyde’s physical appearance reflects this monstrous nature:
"There is something wrong with his appearance… something downright detestable."
Stevenson suggests that evil is not an external force but something intrinsic to human nature. Jekyll’s downfall serves as a warning: attempting to suppress one’s darker side only leads to its eventual dominance.

Victorian Hypocrisy and the Fear of Exposure

Jekyll’s struggle mirrors the repression of Victorian society, where outward respectability masked hidden vices. The novel suggests that strict moral codes force individuals to lead double lives, much like Jekyll and Hyde. This hypocrisy is embodied in Utterson’s reaction to Hyde—while disgusted by his cruelty, he is more concerned with maintaining Jekyll’s reputation than uncovering the truth.

The Inescapability of One’s True Nature

Despite believing he can control his dual identity, Jekyll ultimately loses himself to Hyde, proving that evil cannot be selectively unleashed. His transformation becomes involuntary, symbolising the power of suppressed desires:
"I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self."
Stevenson warns that attempting to divide one’s identity is dangerous—true morality requires acknowledging and controlling one’s darker impulses, rather than denying them.

The novel reflects Victorian anxieties about scientific progress and its challenge to religious beliefs. Jekyll’s experiment is not just a scientific breakthrough but an act of hubris—an attempt to play God.

Jekyll as the Overreaching Scientist

Jekyll’s desire to manipulate human nature reflects the dangers of unchecked ambition. He acknowledges that his work goes beyond conventional science, admitting:
"The temptation of a discovery so singular and profound at last overcame the suggestions of alarm."
His downfall echoes the warnings found in Frankenstein and other Gothic literature—those who seek to surpass natural limits inevitably bring about their own ruin.

Lanyon as the Voice of Traditional Science and Morality

Dr. Lanyon, Jekyll’s former friend, represents rational, empirical science. He dismisses Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and unorthodox, stating:
"Henry Jekyll became too fanciful for me. He began to go wrong, wrong in the mind."
However, when confronted with Jekyll’s transformation, Lanyon is unable to cope with the implications of what he has seen. His immediate invocation of religion—"Oh God!"—suggests that some knowledge is too overwhelming for the human mind. His death shortly after witnessing the transformation highlights Stevenson’s critique: when science oversteps its boundaries, it becomes destructive.

Hyde as a Representation of Sin and Damnation

Hyde’s evil nature aligns with religious ideas of sin and moral corruption. He is described in almost demonic terms—"Satan’s signature upon a face." His increasing dominance over Jekyll reflects the belief that giving in to temptation leads to spiritual downfall. Jekyll’s eventual fate suggests that science alone cannot provide moral guidance—without ethical responsibility, it only leads to ruin.

In Victorian society, reputation was everything, and maintaining a respectable public image was often prioritised over true morality. The novel critiques this obsession with appearances, showing how it leads to secrecy, repression, and ultimately destruction.

Jekyll’s Experiment as a Means of Protecting His Reputation

Jekyll does not create Hyde because he wishes to do good—he creates him to indulge in immoral pleasures without consequence. He views his scientific breakthrough as a way to enjoy freedom while maintaining his public image:
"Had I approached my discovery in a more noble spirit, all must have been otherwise."
This highlights the hypocrisy of Victorian respectability—Jekyll is not inherently moral, but rather afraid of being seen as immoral.

Utterson’s Role in Preserving Social Order

Mr. Utterson, the novel’s protagonist, is less concerned with justice than with keeping Jekyll’s affairs private. Even after hearing about Hyde’s violence, he does not seek legal action but instead tries to ensure Jekyll’s reputation remains intact. His reluctance to investigate mirrors the Victorian tendency to ignore uncomfortable truths rather than confront them.

The Consequences of Prioritising Reputation Over Morality

Jekyll’s downfall demonstrates the dangers of living for appearances. By focusing on secrecy rather than genuine self-improvement, he ensures his own destruction. In contrast, Hyde, who cares nothing for reputation, grows stronger and more uncontrollable. Stevenson warns that suppressing one's true nature for the sake of social standing only leads to catastrophe.

The Uncertainty of Identity – Who Is the Real Jekyll?

The novel questions whether Jekyll and Hyde are truly separate entities or simply different aspects of the same man.

Hyde as an Unleashed Aspect of Jekyll’s Personality

Jekyll initially describes Hyde as a distinct being, but over time, he admits that Hyde was always a part of him:
"Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil."
Yet, Hyde’s actions reflect desires that Jekyll himself possesses. This suggests that the potential for evil exists in all people—it is not a separate being, but an intrinsic part of human nature.

The Loss of Control Over One’s Own Identity

As the novel progresses, Jekyll finds that he no longer needs the potion to transform into Hyde—he begins changing involuntarily. This demonstrates the idea that once someone gives in to their darker impulses, they lose control over them.

The Final Transformation and the Erasure of Jekyll

By the end of the novel, Jekyll no longer exists—only Hyde remains. This suggests that when evil is allowed to flourish, it consumes the good completely. His tragic fate reinforces Stevenson’s message: no one can fully separate the good and evil within them without destroying themselves.