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The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a Novella
written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is a Gothic Fiction which is a genre of
literature that fuses fiction, horror and Romanticism – popular at the time
because of industrial developments and evolutionary theories which fascinated
the Victorian reader. Gothic fiction has common elements that we clearly see in
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde such as an unnatural atmosphere,
suspense and mystery, supernatural occurrences and the use of gothic
vocabulary. These are evident to great effect throughout the novella, creating
suspense. I will analyse several elements and explain how Stevenson used
literary devises typical of the gothic genre to create specific effect and
manipulate his reader, contributing to the success of the novella.
This extract is from in Chapter 8 - The Last Night. In this
chapter Poole visits Mr Utterson at his house worried that something has
happened in Dr Jekyll’s cabinet; Poole believes Mr Hyde has something to do
with it. Mr Utterson and Poole go back to Dr Jekyll’s house, where they break
into the cabinet to find Mr Hyde dead on the floor. This Chapter is the most
dramatic of the novella and it is filled with much suspense created by literary
devices such as personification,
pathetic fallacy, Diction and setting.
Suspense is one of the most important aspects of this extract.
One way in which Stevenson creates suspense is through atmosphere and setting. The description of the "wild, cold, seasonable night" links to the theme of atavism vs civilisation which is constant throughout the book. In this extract the wind is described as making talking difficult and " flecked the blood into the face". The idea that the wind is so strong to fleck blood, gives a sense of supernatural occurrences which is a typical gothic element. This builds suspense as from that point onwards the sense of supernatural follows in the extract. The night is also described as "biting" which adds the idea that the weather is unrelenting and has an animalistic nature as well as being metaphoric by describing how it is so cold outside that it causes physical pain. Victorians were used to predictability and routine therefore the thought of the weather, being so uncontrollable and wild would increase fear and dread in the reader. Finally, the setting and the weather is a typical example of a gothic atmosphere, dark, cold and deserted. This type of gothic atmosphere is usually used to give a sense of foreboding to a character’s fate, therefore it creates suspense as we do not know what will occur next.
One way in which Stevenson creates suspense is through atmosphere and setting. The description of the "wild, cold, seasonable night" links to the theme of atavism vs civilisation which is constant throughout the book. In this extract the wind is described as making talking difficult and " flecked the blood into the face". The idea that the wind is so strong to fleck blood, gives a sense of supernatural occurrences which is a typical gothic element. This builds suspense as from that point onwards the sense of supernatural follows in the extract. The night is also described as "biting" which adds the idea that the weather is unrelenting and has an animalistic nature as well as being metaphoric by describing how it is so cold outside that it causes physical pain. Victorians were used to predictability and routine therefore the thought of the weather, being so uncontrollable and wild would increase fear and dread in the reader. Finally, the setting and the weather is a typical example of a gothic atmosphere, dark, cold and deserted. This type of gothic atmosphere is usually used to give a sense of foreboding to a character’s fate, therefore it creates suspense as we do not know what will occur next.
The Personification of the trees in the street gives a sense
of foreboding to the reader. They are described to be "lashing themselves
along the railing" which makes it seem as if the trees are
self-flagellating, in fear of the power and evil of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The
violent diction used with the world "lashing" creates an image of
supernatural power, brutality and unforgiving – its onomatopoeic nature
emphasises the ferocity.
Near the beginning of this extract Mr Utterson and Poole are having a conversation about what they believe is happening at Dr Jekyll’s lab, this conversation leads to Poole expressing his thought of there being " foul play". Poole is repressing his suspicions for the fear of consequences that could possibly happen in the future. The Phrase " foul play" is a Victorian euphemism for violence, as well as being indicative of something dishonest and treacherous behaviour; by understating the very obvious ‘foul play’ Stevenson is covering up all kinds of perfidious issues and suspicions with it.
Once Poole and Utterson have hurried through the streets of Soho back to Dr Jekyll’s house, Poole takes off his hat and mops his brow with a handkerchief. This is an important moment as the weather is a cold night however Poole is not wiping off sweat because he is warm; the Victorian reader is alerted to the stereotypical melodrama as he is back where Dr Jekyll lives and the thought of Dr Jekyll and/or Mr Hyde makes him fearful and nervous. The idea that Poole is nervous creates suspense in the reader because Poole is so fearful that he is physically showing it. Further on it is said that " these were not the dews of exertion that he wiped away" meaning that the sweat is not from a hard physical effort, "but the moisture of some strangling anguish". Poole is sweating from mental suffering with a physical manifestation which he is too afraid to talk about.
To conclude this extract from the novella has a range of techniques to build and create great suspense, is the most important in the book as the book starts to come together and everyone starts to know and fear of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the use of literary devices helps expand this feeling in the readers throughout. The build-up of suspense in this extract has been created effectively, Suspense is an important element in all books as without it the reader wouldn’t feel the need or want to carry on with the book. There would be no climax or build up to the climax of the book, suggesting it is quite a dull, plain story to read, and since the Victorians were into fictional horror and romanticism genres it is a key aspect of a novella that needs to be include to satisfy their fascination and hook them into finishing the novella to find out what happened.
Near the beginning of this extract Mr Utterson and Poole are having a conversation about what they believe is happening at Dr Jekyll’s lab, this conversation leads to Poole expressing his thought of there being " foul play". Poole is repressing his suspicions for the fear of consequences that could possibly happen in the future. The Phrase " foul play" is a Victorian euphemism for violence, as well as being indicative of something dishonest and treacherous behaviour; by understating the very obvious ‘foul play’ Stevenson is covering up all kinds of perfidious issues and suspicions with it.
Once Poole and Utterson have hurried through the streets of Soho back to Dr Jekyll’s house, Poole takes off his hat and mops his brow with a handkerchief. This is an important moment as the weather is a cold night however Poole is not wiping off sweat because he is warm; the Victorian reader is alerted to the stereotypical melodrama as he is back where Dr Jekyll lives and the thought of Dr Jekyll and/or Mr Hyde makes him fearful and nervous. The idea that Poole is nervous creates suspense in the reader because Poole is so fearful that he is physically showing it. Further on it is said that " these were not the dews of exertion that he wiped away" meaning that the sweat is not from a hard physical effort, "but the moisture of some strangling anguish". Poole is sweating from mental suffering with a physical manifestation which he is too afraid to talk about.
To conclude this extract from the novella has a range of techniques to build and create great suspense, is the most important in the book as the book starts to come together and everyone starts to know and fear of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the use of literary devices helps expand this feeling in the readers throughout. The build-up of suspense in this extract has been created effectively, Suspense is an important element in all books as without it the reader wouldn’t feel the need or want to carry on with the book. There would be no climax or build up to the climax of the book, suggesting it is quite a dull, plain story to read, and since the Victorians were into fictional horror and romanticism genres it is a key aspect of a novella that needs to be include to satisfy their fascination and hook them into finishing the novella to find out what happened.
WORD COUNT: 926
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