The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

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1. 
   brandih

   This question has been partially discussed at the link below:

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   http://www.enotes.com/dr-jekyll/q-and-a/how-dr-jekyll-mr-...

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   Posted by brandih on Monday February 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
   
   

2. 
   amy-lepore Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   It is quite possible that the Victorians would have recognizes the dark side of humanity through the unveiling of this tale. In much the same way the Vampire stories thrilled Victorian audiences and uncovered repressed sexual desire and intimacy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde would have uncovered a repressed violent tendency in viewers.  The Victorians (the Puritans in American, too, for that matter) were normal every day people--not perfect.  For all that they attempted to appear to be, they still had affairs, desires, committed crimes.  In fact, the infamous Jack the Ripper was active in Victorian times.

   The audience would have recognized the hidden meaning in the play...that all of us have a monster within just dying to come to the surface and do, well...whatever our secret desires happen to be.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/dr-jekyll/

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   Posted by amy-lepore on Monday February 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM
   
   

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