What dilemmas do characters face and how are these presented?
A dilemma is a difficult decision, often where the
alternative is undesirable.
In Chapter 10, Dr Jekyll describe the initial dilemma of
whether to take the drug that he has created. Abstract
nouns are used to present the pros and cons of continuing
with his experiment. His dilemma is solved when he gives
into "temptation"
Similarly, after the first involuntary transformation into Mr Hyde,
Jekyll faces the dilemma of whether to give up the drug
completely. Stevenson uses the image of scales to shw Dr Jekyll
weighing up his choices. he realises that this is a choice between
good and evil; after breaking his vow not to take the drug again,
he refer to it as a "moral weakness"
Mr Utterson also faces a moral dilemma in Chapter 5 about
whther to hand Mr Hydes letter into the police and this
increases when he discovers that it is a forgery. The
metaphor "struggles with himself" shows his reluctance to
know the truth about his friend. After Mr Utterson locks
the letter away in his safe, Stevenson adds the metaphor
"and his blood ran cold in his veins". This shows Mr
Utterson's horror at Dr Jekylls behavious but could also be
interpreted as descriing his own feelings about hding the
truth.
How does Stevenson present the consequences of Dr Jekyll's experiments?
Dr Jekyll faces the loss of life as a consequence of his
actions. at first, this is described as "the terror of the
scaffold" because, if caught, Mr Hyde would be hanged for
murder.
Stevenson later presents this loss of life
more metaphorically as Mr Hyde takes
control. The civilised Victorian gentlemen
can't stop his own de-evolution and faces
life as a sinful, hunted criminal
As well as describing the
"torments" that he receives
from his own creation, Dr
Jekyll says how running out
of the required drug has
"finally severed me from my
own face and nature"
The horror and desperation his involuntarily transformation cause him can be seen when Mr
Hyde goes to Dr Lanyon for help and is described as being "on fire with sombre excitement".
The fire metaphor conveys his agitation and suffering as well as adding a moral element when
interpreted as a link to Hell and damnation.