Author's note: Halloa readers! We recently read chapters 5-7 of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in my english class. The three chapters mentioned how different people in the story acted without Hyde's presence haunting them. Here is a response that describes my take on Hyde's effect.
Certain people have different effects on us; some make us slap happy when we talk to them and others annoy us to a breaking point. In the novella Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the odious man in town, Mr. Hyde, automatically gives off a menacing vibe to anyone who talks to him. He wreaks havoc in the city of London, killing people and trampling girls, and then flees to an unknown location. No matter where Hyde is, his presence - or lack of presence - affects everyone else's personality and health, showing that in this story, he is the true force to be reckoned with.
Dr. Jekyll, loved in London by many, is affected the most by Mr. Hyde's appearances and disappearances. While he says "[he is] quite done with [Hyde]" (52), he proves constantly that the very idea of Hyde enslaves him. When Hyde disappears, "a new life [begins] for Dr. Jekyll. He [comes] out of his seclusion, [renews] relations with his friends, [becomes] once more their familiar guest and entertainer" (56). He revisits his past life; a life where he was truly happy, a life where he had no cares, a life where no evil presided. That life is ideal for Jekyll, especially since Hyde taking over the nights had made him so mentally ill that he withdrew from his friends. Yet soon after his period of happiness, "the doctor... had grown very silent, he did not read; it seemed as if he had something on his mind" (59). The sudden change in Jekyll's attitude only signifies one thing - Hyde is back and once again enslaving Jekyll to him. While Hyde is away, Jekyll is better than ever before, but when he comes back, Jekyll falls back into a dark place - one that he cannot escape as long as Hyde is around. Exuding terror, Hyde makes life a living hell for Jekyll, but only Jekyll has the power to change it. Whatever Jekyll chooses to do affects his own health and wellness. The choice is his - a happy life or one of insanity.
Leah, I really like the analysis that you gave and how you explain that Hyde has the power to affect every other person in town, creating an almost frightening effect. My only suggestion would be that parts of the second paragraph seemed to be a little bit repetitive. But that didn't take away from your response too much. Nice job. :)
ReplyDeleteHalloa!! :)
ReplyDeleteNice vocab such as exuding, and the vocab from the novella.
One thing I think you could have improved was the ratio of summary/plot to analysis. In other words, hit up the "so what?" category.
All in all, it was a great response! Nice job Leah.