Two Faces in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay

Two Face

In life, especially when new to a place, we have the ability to become whomever we want. Its all about how we want people to see us, the way we present ourselves, the way we go about our business, but at times we can take it too far. Sometimes, the path we choose is evil. In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the author uses allusions to show the reader all the characters personalitys for what they really are, as well as similes to express the theme and meaning of the novel.

As the story follows a bipolar doctor, allusions describe not only the character of Mr. Utterson, but also Dr. Jekyl. Mr. Utterson is described as a solemn, serious man in the first chapter because of his life and the way he has presented himself. Mr. Utterson explains quite often, I incline to Cains heresy, he used to say quaintly: I let my brother go to the devil in his own way, By referring to the tale in the Bible of Cain and Able, the reader can easily understand Mr. Utterson for who he really is. The second allusion describes the relationship of Dr. Lanyon and Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Lanyon explains to Mr. Utterson, such unscientific balderdash, added the doctor would have estranged Damon and Pythias. He refers to the Latin tale of Damon and Pythias, who would risk their lives for each other solely based on the strong friendship the two shared. This allusion is used because Dr. Lanyon knows he has lost friendship with Dr. Jekyll and their current status would simply be a mockery.

Of all the literary elements in the novel, similes play a big role. The numerous similes compare the character of Mr. Hyde with a horrid personality; in the chapter where the maid explains the death of Mr. Carew at the merciless hands of Mr. Hyde. The author has this quote to say, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on (as the maid described it) like a madman. With the help of this simile, a vivid image of Mr. Hyde and his true colors are shown. This simile helps to portray the eerie mood of the novel as well, in the lawyers eyes, like a district of some city in the nightmare. With the help of this statement, the horrific scene is painted in the mind of the reader.

The old saying goes, you want what you cant have, and people over and over prove this to be true. No matter what people have, they always want something better; the next best thing. Whether it has to do with their personality or with material belongings, people strive for what they lack or at least what they believe they lack. Dr. Jekyll proved this universal truth when he turned into a healthier man, but sometimes nice things can come with a big cost. Not only did he feel much better but he was a sick beast. A feeling he loved not because of the insanity, but the freedom. Almost as if the feeling was a drug, even though it was extremely harmful, it was the feeling he longed for, a feeling that doomed him.