Explore the Ways in Which Stevenson Creates an Effective Horror Story in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Explore the ways in which Stevenson creates an effective horror story in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Robert Stevenson wrote “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in 1885. In “Dr. Jekyll and My Hyde,” Stevenson creates the atmosphere of a horror story. He does this through many different techniques. He makes subtle suggestions that the central characters lead a double life, creating suspense, dramatic events and the taking of innocent victims.
In chapter one, Stevenson creates an enormous amount of suspense and intrigue in the description of Jekyll’s house. Firstly, as Stevenson describes the street, he makes a massive contrast between the attractive street: “The street and general cleanliness,” and Mr. Hyde’s house: "bore in every feature the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence."This straight away grabs the reader’s attention and forces the reader to explore the possibility that there is something peculiar going on inside the house, something strange, compared to the other houses on the road. The dodgy building is made to be menacing when Stevenson describes it as a “sinister block of building thrust forward.” The use of alliteration makes it even more forceful. “Thrust” is an active verb, which makes it more intimidating. The word is associated with evil. This helps to build on the mysteriousness and create a tense atmosphere. The mysterious lack of entrance or exits only helps in creating an effective horror story: “now windows...neither bell nor knocker.” Horror is achieved as this brings a sense of being trapped, which is threatening. From the outside, the building is uninviting which causes a lot of intrigue. The building is personified as a monstrous being: “a blind forehead of discoloured wall.” The word blind adds to the menace affect. This is perfect for creating the atmosphere of a horror story. Stevenson manages to create horror about Mr. Hyde in the way in which we are given a clear impression of Hyde as Utterson attempts to explain why he is filled with
Robert Stevenson wrote “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in 1885. In “Dr. Jekyll and My Hyde,” Stevenson creates the atmosphere of a horror story. He does this through many different techniques. He makes subtle suggestions that the central characters lead a double life, creating suspense, dramatic events and the taking of innocent victims.
In chapter one, Stevenson creates an enormous amount of suspense and intrigue in the description of Jekyll’s house. Firstly, as Stevenson describes the street, he makes a massive contrast between the attractive street: “The street and general cleanliness,” and Mr. Hyde’s house: "bore in every feature the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence."This straight away grabs the reader’s attention and forces the reader to explore the possibility that there is something peculiar going on inside the house, something strange, compared to the other houses on the road. The dodgy building is made to be menacing when Stevenson describes it as a “sinister block of building thrust forward.” The use of alliteration makes it even more forceful. “Thrust” is an active verb, which makes it more intimidating. The word is associated with evil. This helps to build on the mysteriousness and create a tense atmosphere. The mysterious lack of entrance or exits only helps in creating an effective horror story: “now windows...neither bell nor knocker.” Horror is achieved as this brings a sense of being trapped, which is threatening. From the outside, the building is uninviting which causes a lot of intrigue. The building is personified as a monstrous being: “a blind forehead of discoloured wall.” The word blind adds to the menace affect. This is perfect for creating the atmosphere of a horror story. Stevenson manages to create horror about Mr. Hyde in the way in which we are given a clear impression of Hyde as Utterson attempts to explain why he is filled with