AND EVIL My devil has been caged, and came out roaring.”
⁃ “devil” compares Hyde to satan.
⁃ “Caged” personifies Jekylls darker side as though
Hydes a monster that can be just confined. This shows his struggle of repression . ⁃ “Came out” conveys uncontrolled release
⁃ “Roaring” intensifies this, and conveys fear.
WHY DOES STEVENSON DO HOW DOES THIS LINK TO THE
THIS?: “I am distinguished for religion” THEME? - good and evil are inseparable: while Jekyll -growth of evil (the creation of Hyde gives attempts to present himself as a paragon of a his darker impulses free rein, allowing them religious goodness, “charismatic” and the epitome - “Distinguished” is something praiseworthy and of an ideal victorian man, his evil side is a direct to grow stronger. Stevenson is showing elevated consequence of his own repression and internal how evil, when indulged, becomes more conflict. Stevenson shows that evil is still powerful and can ultimately overpower the - “Religion” is a moral theme, a social order. inherently present, which means everyone has good. This reflects the moral warning in the goods and evils. Once Hyde is created, Jekyll This shows Jekylls public reputation (repression) novel: repressing or ignoring evil does not and his secret indulgence with evil. gives his evil side an outlet, allowing it to grow eliminate it — it allows it to fester.) more “robust” than the good. This links to the -consequences of overreaching moral question: if evil is given freedom, can it “The evil side of my nature… was less overpower good? This mirrors Stevenson s science (jekylls attempt to separate good robust and less developed than the good” critique of Victorian morality, which demanded from evil and act upon his desires without strict adherence to propriety and outward consequences led to him indulged by evil) respectability, often leading individuals to - “My nature” possessive language to show good and evil are both integral parts of jekylls identity, rather than external forces acting on him.
This suggests that evil is not a foreign intrusion but
something embedded within all human beings, aligning with Stevenson s broader exploration of human nature.
- “Robust” connotes to strength, implying that Jekyll s
good side was cultivated and nurtured, shaped by societal expectations and morality.
- “Less developed” Conversely, evil is described as
“less developed,” indicating it is dormant or subdued, not yet fully realized or expressed.
“All human beings, as we meet them, are
commingled out of good and evil.”
- “all human beings” By addressing “all” humans, he
removes exceptions, showing that the duality of good and evil applies to everyone.
- “as we meet them” This phrase implies that what we
perceive in others (their outward appearance or actions) is not the full story.
- “commingled” significant because it suggests a thorough
blending of good and evil, rather than a simple coexistence.
- “good and evil” By pairing “good” and “evil” directly,
Stevenson uses a clear juxtaposition to underline the stark differences between these forces. Yet the term “commingled” complicates this contrast, suggesting they cannot be disentangled in reality.
“The evil side of my nature… that it was my life,
and that I was living it to the fullest, or at least to the most disturbing limits.”
- “evil side of my nature” The phrase highlights the
internal struggle between good and evil within Jekyll. The use of “evil side” suggests a fragmented self — Jekyll is aware of this darkness but seems unable or unwilling to rid himself of it
- “it was my life” This statement shows Jekyll’s
acceptance of his darker side. It indicates that the evil within him is no longer just something he resists or represses but has become an integral part of who he is, consuming his existence.
- “living to the fullest…to the most disturbing limits”
The contrast between “living it to the fullest” and “disturbing limits” shows that Jekyll’s indulgence in evil is paradoxical. While he is living freely in one sense, this freedom is also accompanied by deep discomfort and moral disintegration. The phrase captures the corrupting pleasure that comes with indulging in one’s darker desires. ’ ’ ’
