You Can Run But You Can't Hyde
Ok...first passage is the one from Chapter 1 where Enfield is describing Mr. Hyde to Utterson. The second passage is the one from Chapter 3 about Dr. Jekyll.
In the passage describing Mr. Hyde, Enfield pondered why he could not quite place why he could not specify why Hyde looked so deformed. He said that there was definitely something wrong with him, though at the same time nothing really was. The displeasing nature of Mr. Hyde's appearance reflects the idea of 'pure evil' depicted in the novella.
In the passage about Dr. Jekyll, he is described as "a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness..". This description is in direct contrast with that of the previous passage describing Mr. Hyde. He is polite when he speaks and keeps up the somewhat deceitful nature of Victorian society. When there is a mention of Hyde, however, the facade drops and Jekyll visibly darkens. Every societal construct of polite speech vanishes and he shuts down that avenue of conversation.
In comparing the two passages, it is easy to conclude that Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll are complete opposites in demeanor and appearance. While Mr. Hyde is displeasing and detestable, Dr. Jekyll is smooth-faced and has a capacity for kindness. However, we can see the lines blur when Utterson mentions Hyde to Jekyll and he "grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes". I believe this was the start of the infiltration of Hyde into Jekyll's body. The start of when the changes became uncontrollable.
Alrighty, now for Part 2 of this blog post, aka poetry smackdown. I will be writing 'a poem for two voices' for both Jekyll and Hyde. It'll be a wild ride, so hang on.
Jekyll Hyde
I yearn for the old days, I yearn for the old days,
When I was not ablaze. When I was not ablaze.
When evil did not transform me,
And I was who I ought to be. And I was who I ought to be,
An eagle, soaring free, An eagle, soaring free,
Truly me. Truly me.
When I was not infiltrated by him, When I was not infiltrated by him,
My body was mine, every limb. My body was mine, every limb.
It was only a matter of time,
Before my experiment was no longer prime.
I must go now I must go now
Because I cannot allow Because I cannot allow
Him to take over me Him to take over me
That evil must be washed away
So I cannot stay So I cannot stay
And be led astray And be led astray
By Jekyll's sickly kindness
He cannot hide away any longer.
This poem reflects the conflicting nature inside of Dr. Jekyll. Even when he decides to denounce the evil side of him in the novella, he keeps Hyde's apartment and clothes. I think that in his mind he was really torn and that Hyde was infiltrating his mind. This poem symbolizes the duality of man in the novella.
Ok, last thing. ***This is a reminder for Mrs. Genesky that I forgot to put freebie for blog post four (and that she needs to put the freebie in for four as per her Remind text). To her and all my blogging buds, I'll be a better blogger second semester.
Until next semester!
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