Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde
written by Robert Louis Stevenson
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“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde” also known as “Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde” or just “Jekyll And Hyde” was written by the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson and first published in 1886. It is a drama, horror, gothic, sci-fi, thriller, novella that that has inspired numerous radio and TV programs, movies and theater performances that number over 120. It can be described as a fable, a detective story, döppelganger literature, sensation fiction and a gothic novella. The story continues to have a huge influence on literature and culture worldwide and it´s a fun read. Expressions like “Jekyll and Hyde” to mean unpredictability are just one example.

“The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde” is the story of a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates his old friend Dr. Henry Jekyll. Mr. Utterson is told of a situation involving a small mean looking man named Edward Hyde. Apparently, Edward Hyde trampled a child in the square and continued on his way without any concern for her well being. He was stopped and forced to pay £100. He pays with a check from a respectable society gentleman named Dr. Henry Jekyll and the story unfolds as both disturbing and fantastical. Thanks to popular culture we all know what Gabriel John Utterson discovers. We have bee acclimatized to this notion but at the time this was written it must have been deeply disturbing.

This story deals with many notions, like the one that everybody has a sinister part of their being, or everyone has sides of themselves that we do not know. Some talk about the duality of human nature but I find that overly simplistic. Others think this is an exposition on the hypocracy of English society at the time.

The metaphor for this story is really at the heart of almost every crime/detective drama. Think of a detective investigating someone or a situation and uncovering the strange and hideous. They peel back a facade and we´re all balled over. I don´t understand why Robert Louis Stevenson didn´t find a way to make a series from this story like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Alexandre Dumas did with their brilliant ideas.

This is without a doubt a masterpiece. It´s a little short though.

(Commentary by www.ink2quill.com )
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