Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

As a fan of psychological horror, I’ve been on a journey through the genre’s classics, from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The theme of human duality has always fascinated me, so I decided to move Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to the top of my reading list. (Fun fact: my mom claims we’re distant relatives of Stevenson, though I’m skeptical!)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a chilling exploration of the human capacity for both good and evil. Stevenson masterfully portrays Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected physician, as he creates a potion that unleashes his darker self, the brutish and amoral Mr. Hyde. The novella brilliantly captures the psychological torment of Jekyll as he gradually loses control to his monstrous alter ego.

The atmospheric setting of Victorian London adds a layer of gothic dread to the story. The foggy streets and shadowy alleyways perfectly reflect the novella’s themes of hidden desires and suppressed impulses. While Jack the Ripper’s crimes occurred after the novella’s publication, the book certainly taps into the anxieties and dark undercurrents of the era.

What I found particularly compelling was the way Stevenson builds suspense through the perspective of Gabriel Utterson, Jekyll’s friend. Utterson’s growing concern about Hyde’s sinister influence and his investigation into their connection kept me hooked. The gradual unveiling of Jekyll’s secret, culminating in his confession, is a masterclass in suspense.

The novella’s exploration of duality isn’t just about good versus evil. It’s about the internal struggle we all face to reconcile our conflicting desires and impulses. Hyde represents the uninhibited expression of our darkest urges, while Jekyll embodies the societal pressures to suppress those urges. I found myself reflecting on the ways we all wear masks and hide aspects of ourselves from the world.

The novella’s ending, where Jekyll is completely overtaken by Hyde, is a powerful reminder of the potential consequences of denying our shadow selves. It served as a cautionary tale of the importance of self acceptance. In some ways it reminded me of the feeling of isolation and slow descent into madness that I felt when reading H.G. Wells’ Invisible Man.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Have you read this novella? What are your favorite psychological horror stories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!