Balancing Good and Evil, Essay Example

In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson describes the duality of human nature and the consequences ofindulging in dark impulses and behaviors. He uses the characters Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde to illustrate what happens when good and evil are unbalanced. When given free reign, evil can easily become uncontrollable.

Dr. Henry Jekyll represents the rational and “good” aspect of human nature. He is a well-liked and respected physician. Like many people, Jekyll has always suppressed the darker aspects of his personality, so he is naturally curious about further exploration. He creates a potion that polarizes him into good and evil,and is transformed into Edward Hyde. At first Jekyll is excited because he can explore his dark side without any apparent consequences or guilt. With the transformation, Jekyll is free to engage in actions that his more rational side never would have allowed.

Henry Jekyll stood at times aghast before the acts of Edward Hyde; but the situation was apart from ordinary laws, and insidiously relaxed the grasp of conscience. It was Hyde, after all, and Hyde alone, that was guilty. Jekyll was no worse; he woke again to his good qualities seemingly unimpaired; he would even make haste, where it was possible, to undo the evil done by Hyde. And thus his conscience slumbered (Stevenson).

Jekyll expresses no real remorse at any destructive act committed by Hyde. To avoid any negative repercussions, Jekyll makes sure to rectify any damage done by Hyde. People often suppress their more basic urges not for genuine integrity or morality; rather they are afraid of the consequences.

Stevenson reminds the reader that there are always consequences. One morning, Jekyll scares himself when he wakes up as Hyde. He is so frightened that he does not take the potion for two months. But when Jekyll misses the freedom he has with Hyde, he decides to take the potion. However, because Hyde was suppressed so long, when released he murders a man. “My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” (Stevenson). Denying the existence of dark impulses can be just as dangerous as overindulgence. Attempts to completely suppress and ignore certain instincts and desires does not resolve problems and often backfires. For example, addicts will often appear to overcome their cravings, only to overdose a short time later.

Dark instincts and emotions can neither be denied nor over-indulged. By going to extremes, this allows for one aspect, usually the evil side, to eventually dominate. Had Jekyll balanced his good and evil side throughout his life, he may not have felt the need to polarize himself. He wanted to explore his dark side without any consequences or responsibilities.  Though Stevenson does not offer a solution to this common problem, he brings it to light so it may be recognized and perhaps prevented in others.

Work Cited

Stevenson, Robert. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 2012. eBook <http://www.learnlibrary.com/jekyll-hyde/index.htm>.