Jekyll & Hyde

Mr. Hyde:

"He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify the point. He's an extraordinary looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way" (Stevenson 5).

Dr. Jekyll:
"To this rule, Dr. Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire- a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness- you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection...  'You know I never approved of it,' pursued Utterson, ruthlessly disregarding the fresh topic. 'My will? Yes, certainly, I know that, said the doctor, a trifle sharply. 'You have told me so.' 'Well, I tell you so again,' continued the lawyer. 'I have been learning something of young Hyde.' The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes. 'I do not care to hear more,' said he. 'This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop.'" (Stevenson 12-13).

The presence of Mr. Hyde is marked by a feeling more so than by recognition of his physical characteristics. The excerpt about Mr. Hyde states, "He must be deformed somewhere, he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify the point" (Stevenson 5). This characterization points out the fact that the abnormality of Mr. Hyde rests within his being rather than any physical deformity, however, the unsettling aspect of his being affects the ways in which one perceives his physical appearance so that he is regarded as if there were a glaring physical defect. He appears as a troubling individual to all who see him, despite the lack of detailed descriptions of his physical features. The characterization of Mr. Hyde is more focused on the discussion of the uneasiness he invokes within others upon interactions with him, whereas the discussion of Dr. Jekyll is more focused on his actual physical characteristics. The physical appearance and personality of Dr. Jekyll are described as pleasant and invoke feelings of comfort, a striking contrast to the depiction of Mr. Hyde. The clear disparity between the two characters is conveyed through the ways in which each are spoken about by characters within the text. Dr. Jekyll, as stated in the excerpt above, is portrayed as a respectable individual who is esteemed. On the other hand, Mr. Hyde is described as loathsome by every single character who comes into contact with him, aside from Dr. Jekyll. Jekyll's lack of comment on the obvious unsettling presence of Hyde further establishes him as being a truly "good" man, as it shows that- though the reason is at first unclear- he is loyal to his colleagues. However, his almost defensive reaction when Utterson brings up Hyde arouses Utterson's suspicions, rightfully so. The "blackness about his eyes" is uncharacteristic for Jekyll, and conveys that he has something to hide (or Hyde LOL). The change in atmosphere once Hyde is brought up reflects both Hyde's effect on every situation and that Jekyll has some sort of reason to protect him. 

The portrayal of of Mr. Hyde- both through direct characterization and descriptions by other characters- successfully establishes him as the embodiment of the evil of mankind, whereas the same methods establish Dr. Jekyll as the embodiment of the goodness of mankind. The excerpt in which Mr. Hyde is described speaks of him in ways that communicate his detestability as a human, while the description of Dr. Jekyll communicates his sincerity and kindness as an individual. The suspicions which Mr. Hyde arouses are reflective of how unsettling he is as an individual, for nobody has any sort of trust or benefit of the doubt for him once meeting him personally. This is reflected by the statement from Mr. Enfield in the text, "I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why" (Stevenson 5). The instant feeling of hatred that Mr. Hyde invokes further establishes him as the embodiment of evil because it displays that people recognize the wickedness inside him, regardless of whether or not they understand their awareness. The excerpt describes Dr. Jekyll as having, "every mark of capacity and kindness" (Stevenson 12). This characterization of Jekyll as a sincere individual is meant to convey that he is purely good. The difference in voice within each of the excerpts displays the way that each character ought to be thought about by respectively establishing Mr. Hyde as being evil and Dr. Jekyll as being good. 

...

This poem is meant to display the struggle for control between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde using tones reflective of each character. The poem should communicate the issues that a split identity poses for Dr. Jekyll, while also displaying the necessity of it for Mr. Hyde. 

I have to put an end to Hyde.                                                               I have to put an end to Jekyll.

I've lost a friend over him.

I have nothing to lose. 

My curiosities have been satisfied; 

My desire to live will never be satisfied

This experiment is over

My thirst for power will never be over

A life has been lost, what more does it take?

All it took was one life, now I know for sure.

I need to tell someone.                                                                                             Nobody can know.

I'm afraid I'm losing myself to him.

I'm afraid he'll sacrifice us both over me.

It's harder to remain myself each day.

It's easier to become myself each day. 

I fear I've made a fatal mistake.

I'm confident I've figured out how to survive.

I have to move before he does.                                                            I have to move before he does.