In her work The Fear of the Other, Schmidt analyses, inter alia, the motif of the Double as well as its appearance in 19th Century literature in the Gothic tradition. The quotation above expresses the definition of the double-ganger, also described as the wrong self, which is connected with antithetic values opposed to the prototype. Schmidt utilises the expressions such as ‘First Self’ for demonstrating the protagonist and ‘Second Self’ which designates the definition of the dark half or rather the alter ego. While describing the divided self and explaining the relationship between good and evil of the double-ganger, Schmidt rather focuses on the ‘Second Self” and its multiple denotation, as “the Second Selves make their appearances either as instinct shadowlike figures, coming alive in the form of pictures or reversed as mirror images” (Schmid The Fear of the Other).
These aforementioned double-ganger motifs are literary represented in a plethora of English narrations in both English Romanticism and in early 20th Century literature in the Gothic tradition. As social and personal identity crises were augmentative during the Romantic epoch, the literary double “serves to express an epoch’s fear of the collapse of social values”, therefore authors used the double motif in literature in order to “illustrate the issue of the fragmentability of the human soul” (36). While split personality was a feature of the prototype of a double-ganger in the Gothic genre, “the Second Self mostly contains aspects of the demonic, (…), the monstrous, (…) and is bound into a context of moral ambiguity” (ebda). These features demonstrate the “Second Self” as a diabolical alter ego, who always appears as a self-divided villain, marked by the uncanny and the evil.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Significance of Narrative Situation in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
2.1 The Effect on the Reader
2.2 Reliability
3. The Uncanny Effect of the Fantastic in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
3.1 Linguistic Features and Allegories
3.2 Symbolism of Names
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This paper aims to investigate the appearance of the "Fantastic" and its effects in R.L. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It specifically examines how the author employs narrative techniques, linguistic features, and symbolic devices to manipulate reader perception and reinforce the Gothic atmosphere of the work.
- The role of the narrative situation in creating suspense and ambiguity.
- The impact of unreliable narration on the reader's understanding of the plot.
- The definition and application of the "uncanny fantastic" within the Gothic genre.
- The use of linguistic allegories and imagery to characterize the double-ganger.
- The significance of name symbolism, particularly concerning the characters Jekyll, Hyde, and Utterson.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Linguistic Features and Allegories
Schmid analyses the study of the double in gothic literature in her work and mentions that: “(…) the case in the classic Gothic novel, the Second Self mostly contains aspects of the demonic, of the asocial, the pathological and is bound into a context of moral ambiguity“ (Schmid: 44). Comparing Hyde to Schmid’s statement, one could admit that her description suits Hyde’s characterization perfectly, which is often described in the novel through various allegories and metaphors. The choice of Stevenson’s language in Jekyll and Hyde does not only evoke suspense and tension but also evokes fear and darkness throughout the story, which are main characteristics for a gothic novel. The representations of the language, highlighted by a juxtaposition of adjectives with dark connotations, create a gloomy atmosphere. It starts with the first chapter “Story of the Door” and Hyde’s description, which evokes mystery surrounding the enigmatic character; indeed he is compared to “some damned Juggernaut” (Stevenson: 9) by Enfield in the dialogue between him and Utterson. The Oxford English Dictionary offers as one definition (among others) of juggernaut: “a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force” (http://oed.com, accessed Mar/24/13). In this case, the term juggernaut is used as an allegory to allow Utterson and therefore the reader to imagine Hyde’s appearance in a certain manner, i.e. with the characteristics ascribed to a juggernaut. The description continues with Hyde’s house, which is described as being in a reduced state, as “there is no other door, and nobody goes in or out of that one (…) the windows are always shut but they’re clean (…) so somebody must live there” (Stevenson: 12). The imagery of the house could be interpreted as an embodiment of Hyde’s personal issues.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the motif of the double-ganger in 19th-century literature and outlines the paper's focus on Stevenson's novella.
2. Significance of Narrative Situation in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: This section explores how multiple narrative perspectives are used to maintain tension and hide the story's central truth from the reader.
2.1 The Effect on the Reader: This chapter analyzes how narrative structure and shifting viewpoints act as misleading devices to heighten mystery.
2.2 Reliability: This section addresses the challenges of unreliable narration in the context of embedded documents and conflicting character testimonies.
3. The Uncanny Effect of the Fantastic in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: This chapter defines the "Fantastic" in literary terms and explores its application in Stevenson's work.
3.1 Linguistic Features and Allegories: This section examines the specific use of language, metaphors, and allegorical imagery to depict Hyde's character and the Gothic atmosphere.
3.2 Symbolism of Names: This chapter discusses the symbolic puns behind the names Jekyll, Hyde, and Utterson and their contribution to the narrative's themes.
4. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming how narrative techniques and symbolic language reinforce the uncanny nature of the novel.
Keywords
Fantastic, Gothic literature, The Double, Double-ganger, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Narrative situation, Unreliable narration, Uncanny, Allegory, Symbolism, Victorian respectability, Suspense, Stevenson, Utterson, Identity crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on how Robert Louis Stevenson utilizes narrative techniques, such as shifting points of view, and linguistic features like imagery and symbolism, to create a sense of the "Fantastic" and the "Uncanny" in his work.
What literary genre does this paper mainly discuss?
The paper discusses the Gothic genre, specifically analyzing the motif of the "double-ganger" or the divided self within the context of 19th-century literature.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The goal is to demonstrate how Stevenson manipulates the reader’s perception through specific narrative choices to maintain mystery and emphasize the "uncanny" nature of the protagonist’s transformation.
Which theoretical framework does the author apply?
The author uses theoretical concepts from Tzvetan Todorov regarding the "Fantastic" and Astrid Schmidt’s analysis of the "Double" in Gothic literature.
How is the main body of the work structured?
The body is structured into an analysis of the narrative situation, an exploration of the "Uncanny" effects of the fantastic, an examination of linguistic allegories, and a study of the symbolism of names.
What are the essential keywords associated with this research?
Key terms include the Fantastic, Gothic literature, double-ganger, unreliable narration, identity, symbolism, and narrative structure.
How does the narrator's reliability influence the reading experience?
The paper argues that by using unreliable narration and shifting perspectives, the author forces the reader to speculate, thereby creating suspense and preventing the early revelation of the story's core mystery.
What specific symbolic meanings are attributed to the names of the characters?
The author explores how "Hyde" functions as a homonym for "to hide," how "Jekyll" suggests "I kill," and how "Utterson" relates to the verb "to utter," reflecting the characters' roles in the mystery.
Does the paper consider the social context of the Victorian era?
Yes, the paper touches upon the Victorian code of respectability and how Jekyll uses his alter ego, Hyde, as a way to escape social pressures and express repressed impulses.
- Quote paper
- Nhung Phan (Author), 2013, The Appearance of the Fantastic and its Effects in R.L. Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/424630
