What Is The Difference Between Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

The narrative perspective of a literary work can significantly influence the message it conveys to the audience. Treasure Island is narrated for the majority by Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist of the story, in the first person limited point of view. The perspective of his narration allows the audience to experience the events of the story alongside him. When Jim witnesses Long John Silver murder a crew member and describes how "as soon as I was clear of the thicket, I ran as I never ran before", his descriptions relay the feeling of fear and adrenaline to the audience and brings forth the conventions of the adventure fiction genre. Contrastingly, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde employs a third person limited point of view that
Thus, Stevenson has chosen two vastly different narratives for the novels in order to better suit the genre of each work. However, the two novels both include the insertion of a second narrative perspective. In Treasure Island, Dr. Livesey narrates three chapters from chapter sixteen, the mid-section of the story within the rising action. The sudden switch of the narrative from the protagonist to a supporting character in the midpoint of the story increases suspense as the whereabouts of the protagonist is hidden. As Dr. Livesey's account ends with his discovery of "Jim Hawkins, safe and sound", the narrative is resumed by Jim and the audience is reassured of Jim’s safety and the continuation of his
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in order to emphasize the mysterious atmosphere and increasing suspense within the plot. The third person limited point of view withholds key information from the audience. The entirety of the chapter titled ‘Incident at the window’ is based on the element of foreshadowing. Utterson and Mr. Enfield begin the chapter with a shared consensus on the fact that they “shall never see more of Mr. Hyde”. As the two approach the court, they see Dr. Jekyll resting by a window. The three engage in a pleasant conversation until the mood drastically shifts, when Dr. Jekyll’s “smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair” and the window was shut to hide his changing expression. Utterson and Mr. Enfield leave the premises in silence and only exchange horrified looks as Utterson says, “God forgive us”. Although the audience is not explicitly told of the connections within the event, the mention of Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s sudden change in behavior, and the reaction of the two innocent characters, creates an atmosphere of terror. The audience can thus infer from this chapter that the hidden connection between Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll is one that can be described as terror, fear, and disgust. In implanting this passage of foreshadowing, Stevenson intensifies the suspense within the novel as the audience is fueled with the desire to discover the truth between the implied