Jekyll and Hyde Context

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Jekyll and Hyde Context

Robert Louis Stevenson

Born in Edinburgh in 1850

Was born to a wealthy family

he was a sickly child

respiratory troubles plagued him all through his life

experienced health problems as an adult

Treasure Island was first published as a book in 1883

Much of his writing was done from his sickbed

he continued writing but found it increasingly difficult as his illness became worse

In 1886 he wrote 'The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde'

In 1876 he met Fanny Osbourne who he married in 1880

Life in Victorian London

Family life was enthusiastically idealised

London was developing rapidly

London failed to accomodate the large number of people

Factories were responsible for bringing about development

Crime in London

Jack the Ripper murders occurred in 1888

London was dangerous

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Science and Religion

Darwin`s Theory of Evolution

Complex creatures evolved from simplistic creatures naturally over time

Charles Darwin published 'The Origin of Species'

Introduces the theory of exolution to the public

Many people thought that it was an attack on religion because the book meant that it was impossible for God to have created the world in 7 days

Closely linked to the victorians increasing sense of conflict between religion and sciene

Many people felt that they had to pick a side