Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde vs Victorian

During the late nineteenth century the flourishing of the Industrial Revolution caused a great deal of disorder and instability throughout all of Europe.   New technological advancements in machine-based manufacturing were beginning to spread throughout the country; which ultimately caused for the lower classes sudden decrease in job opportunities and eventually unemployment.   Due to the up rise in technology many workers from the countryside faced the challenge of moving to the inner cities in order to find job opportunities with the new machinery. Although the technological advancements brought forth many positive contributions, the competition for employment created a surplus in the population of the cities.   Since towns became overpopulated the living conditions became unbearable for society.   With all the changes occurring throughout Europe, the Victorian society feared what was to come in the near future.   These new advancements in technology brought forth many changes in sciences, politics, and allowed for different people to begin to express their thoughts.   As the people began to shape this new social environment, everyone had to adapt to this modern way of life. High ranked individuals were now seen as the most respectful and influential individuals among society, which allowed them to gain power and therefore stabilize society.   The high expectations from the lower class ultimately paid a toll on the “higher ranked” class which eventually caused them to want to step away from the responsibilities society held them accountable for.   Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, is able to portray these experiences with the books primary characters: Dr Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, Utterson, and Lanyon. The novel reveals how Jekyll’s curiosity of the duality of men leads him to find his real persona.   Jekyll, like many of the individuals of the Victorian era faced a constant struggle to uphold the views of society and disregard their inner... [continues]

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