Jekyll and Hyde as an Exploration of Victorian Society

“Man is not truly one, but truly two.” These words of Dr Jekyll’s not only describe the inner psychology of the human being, but encapsulate the hypocritical essence of the world in which he lives. In Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,’ the character of Jekyll reflects many aspects of Victorian society. It shows inherent sexism and the iron grip of the inequitable class system.
Furthermore, it unveils the struggle between science and religion that was taking place in the almost dystopian civilisation, and the way Victorian literary expectations force writers to portray the world in a certain way. These ideas all come together to illustrate the schizophrenic nature of nineteenth-century Britain.

Sexism in Victorian Society

One aspect of this reflected in Stevenson’s creation is the sexism engrained into the minds of the Victorians. Probably the clearest evidence is that there are only four fleeting mentions of females in the entire book; showing an entirely patriarchal society and perhaps that women were not even considered fit to become complex and important characters to affect events in the story.
The language used in the novel, particularly on page 55, where Hyde was described as “weeping like a woman,” illustrates succinctly how women are only seen as frail human beings that would have cranial capacity only to pass out or cry whenever any emotionally disturbing event occurred. This is also exemplified on page 30, after the murder of Sir Danvers. “At the horror of these sights and sounds, the maidservant fainted,” - a stereotypical Victorian idea of the weak heartedness of women, as opposed to intelligent thinking and decisions.

The Conflict Between Science and Religion

This book also shines light, subtly, on the struggle between science and religion that is taking place in the minds and actions of the Victorian people. On one hand, you can see religion reflected in their words throughout the novel. Page 54 gives us an example; Poole’s first phrase of choice to demonstrate his solemnity was “I give you my bible word,” and on page 26, Lanyon is described as calling Jekyll’s works “scientific heresies”. Many Victorians saw science as an atheistic ideology; therefore there would be no god to be heretical about. The fact that these two words are together shows that the Victorians are still in a world of religion and that they use it even when talking about its opposite.
On the other hand, Stevenson’s novella also hints at science and it’s effect on ordinary people. Darwin’s theory of evolution is alluded to many times; for example, in Sir Danvers’ Murder, Hyde is referred to as possessing “ape - like fury,” perhaps an idea of reverse evolution into our more primitive form.
The structure of parts of the book, also, reflects a more scientific approach to situations which would before have been tackled with superstition and the words of the bible. On pages 41 and 63, this is demonstrated by sections of text that take each event methodically, as if they were notes from an experiment.
Chemistry is also in evidence, as an emerging science, not yet quite tested. Jekyll uses chemistry to transform into Hyde, and part of the reason Stevenson thought this more feasible was that nobody had yet fully explored chemistry’s possibilities. Perhaps, if he were to write ‘Jekyll and Hyde,’ today, the means of transformation might have been genetic science.
However, in another form, the book’s portrayal of science shows us drug and alcohol abuse at horrendous levels. Utterson sees “a gin palace,” and women passing out for their “morning glass,” which clearly reveals that the cheap gin available ravaged the lives of many, in much the same way as the drugs that are only hinted at in the book. On page 66, Lanyon mentions the “convulsive action” of Hyde’s jaws, which, in modern days, is recognised as a symptom of cocaine abuse.
So even though the Victorians thought, if subconsciously, in a religious manner, the new sciences emerging were becoming more and more commonplace in people’s lives. The struggle between those two poles is epitomised succinctly on page 49, where they are in a position where Jekyll turning in to Hyde symbolises the advance of science - a cause for fear. Poole then turns hastily back to the comfortable reassurance of religion, with the words “God grant there be nothing wrong.”

Victorian Literary Expectations

The Victorians had strong expectations of the content and plot of their literature. They eschewed direct descriptions of immorality, and instead only alluded to what would have been graphic scenes in the novel. They expected their books to have a positive outcome, where the brave, loyal and hardworking prevailed, and the evil were punished accordingly. One such morality tale is Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From The Madding Crowd,’ written in the same era. Troy and Boldwood, the neglectful and iniquitous suitors to Lady Bathsheba, are eventually slain or imprisoned. Oak, the well-meaning hero, then goes on to marry her happily instead.
‘The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde,’ is very different to these novels; the ‘hero,’ Jekyll, is tempted again and again, leaving the readers wondering if he is truly good. He also dies at the conclusion of the book, at odds to the happy endings the Victorians would expect. However, in another light, it is quite similar to other works of literature of the time. Many of Hyde’s crimes are only vaguely alluded to, particularly those of a sexual nature. Others, such as the murder of Sir Danvers, are described shortly and include no explicit language, only that Hyde was “hailing down a storm of blows.”
It seems that the way Stevenson heightened the shock value of the crime was to contrast it earlier by describing, at length, the tranquillity of the night and goodness of Sir Danvers, and by later mentioning that “a purse and gold watch were found upon the victim,” illustrating that the attack had no motive other than to kill.
Perhaps this subtlety in the language is due to the fact that Stevenson’s first manuscript was destroyed because his wife disapproved of certain explicit descriptions, thinking it a cheap horror story, when it could have been a masterpiece. This is an example of a deeply engrained desire that the Victorians had for morality in their novels, and their disgust at such descriptions. This point, if further extrapolated, could reveal that the upper class (at whom this novel was targeted) wished to ignore the huge social problems that were taking place in their nation, quite literally on their doorstep, while those suffering were crying out to be noticed and helped.

The Class System

The novella also reveals a lot about the class system, the cause of a lot of these social problems, and its grip on the lives of every Victorian citizen. The upper classes in the book are portrayed as being upright and respectable, and living in grand abodes with well paid professions. Jekyll, for instance - a doctor, and Utterson, a lawyer, each with a host of servants at their bidding.
The lower classes are pictured very differently. Other than servants, they are hinted at as being unemployed or in prostitution. They either live in tiny quarters within their masters houses, or amongst “slatternly passageways,” in the “dismal quarter of Soho,” which Utterson himself calls conditions from a “nightmare.”
Just before he is murdered, Sir Danvers, probably the character commanding the highest position in the class system from the book, is seen as a “beautiful gentleman with white hair,” an image of goodness and purity. The lower class characters, featured so little, only ever really appear as background imagery, a vehicle through which Stevenson could move the plot forward, or working under the instruction of their upper class employers. Poole is the only lower class character who is developed at all and seemingly only because, as a butler to a large household, he is somehow closer to his masters, and has control over the other servants.
This means that the upper class in society were expected to make the decisions and affect events, while the lower classes were expected to run errands or live ineffectual lives.
In the book, this is demonstrated by the strict rules of addressing members of another class. If a servant were to address their employer, such as on page 48, they would be sure to either say “Mr,” or “Sir,” in the sentence. In the unlikely event that a member of the upper class would dignify them with a name, they would use the surname, because using the Christian name would be showing affection to one lower than them, something potentially damaging to their reputation. Most of the time, on the other hand, something like “Hold your tongue,” on page 49 would be a more usual form of address, not even recognising with a name that the other has any importance whatsoever.
Another way the book reveals something about Victorian hierarchical society is the way it demonstrates the idea of scandals, which, were they to be directed at an upper class personage, would mean utter destruction of reputation, wealth and influence. All that was required was for another to disclose illicit activities to the general public. This would, however, give motive to, in turn, eject that member of the upper class by the same means. This system ensures, therefore, that the ruling classes are part of a circle of mutual fear that allows them to indulge in whichever secret pleasures they wish, such as those that Jekyll confesses to and Hyde commits.
This is shown time and time again in Stevenson’s work, on page 27, where Utterson urges Jekyll to “make a clean breast of this in confidence,” because he had no doubt he could get him out of the assumed illegality - clearly exchanging trust for social security, and also on page 37, where Utterson is worried that “the good name of another would be sucked down in the eddy of a scandal.”
Later, on page 38, perhaps the clearest evidence is shown. Utterson’s butler, Guest, had just discovered information that labels Jekyll as a murderer, or at best, an accomplice. Yet, when his master asks him to keep the matter quiet, Guest calmly says “I understand.” Therefore, the mutual fear and loyalty in this ‘scandal system’ is more powerful than even the strongest moral duties!
So, the book shows us a class system that divides society into two, the powerful and rich members of the upper class, living in ignorant luxury, and the suffering lower classes, utterly under the thumb of those above, seen to be completely unimportant. It also shines light on a system that keeps the indulgent and illegitimate side of the upper class hidden, while keeping the upright and respectable side visible by a ring of fear and class solidarity.

Conclusion

In Jekyll’s narrative, Stevenson describes the duality of the psychology of man. He describes how it is human nature to be hypocritical, and indeed his entire novella paints a picture of a society that is characterised by contradictions. It claims to be the most progressive nation in the world, yet women had little more rights than dogs. It does its very best to make sure that even its literature uncovers nothing about the huge problems they faced. This book shows examples of this, and also shows a plot very different from the rest.
The paradox continues; Stevenson’s greatest work shows that, in this society, there is a colossal struggle taking place in the minds and lives of the Victorians between the new and exciting advance of science, and the old, reassuring comfort of religion. This civilisation is split, yet again, into the poor and the rich, held in the iron grip of the class system, which, through fear and a sort of twisted loyalty keeps everyone in their place, whether they like it or not. This allows the members of the upper class to indulge in illicit pleasures, while appearing entirely trustworthy and honourable, and all the time, immorality is routinely covered up.
Even Benjamin Disraeli, Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister and novelist, sees the contradictions typifying Victorian Britain; he describes, in his book ‘Lothair,’ “two nations, ignorant of each other’s habits, thoughts and feelings, as if they were inhabitants of different planets.” He spoke, of course, of the rich and the poor.

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