Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Setting Analysis

Many believe that life is black and white, when the truth is that life is filled with many different shades of grey. All humans have two different sides to them, whether they admit it or not. A clear representation of this can be seen in Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Throughout the novel, we see these two sides shown in one being. Stevenson portrays through setting, that humans are not simply good or evil - they are both. This can be seen through Jekyll’s beautiful and appealing home. This can also be seen through Hyde’s vulgar entrance to the home and through his own separate apartment. Lastly, through comparison of the two entrances and the fact they still lead to the same home, the two sides of one man is clearly seen. Thus, with manipulation of setting, Stevenson portrays that man is both good and evil.

To begin, the two sides of man are portrayed through setting with the home of Dr. Jekyll. “Round the corner from the by-street,
Jekyll's house, its location, the way it faces the world, and the way it is well-maintained all represent the good side of man. The secluded entrance Hyde uses to access Jekyll's house, as well as the shady location of Hyde's own residence all represent the evil side of man. Lastly, the fact that both Jekyll and Hyde's entrances to Jekyll's house lead to the same building, along with the fact that both of their places of residence, while being in completely different areas, are still within the city of London, perfectly portrays man's two sides. Thus, in his novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson displays the different sides of the human soul by manipulating the different aspects of setting. Nothing in life is what it appears to be -- everything and everyone has a different side that may not be presented to the