Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Literary Element (2)

The literary element chosen by me to talk about is mood. If you have not figured it out by now, the main mood of the novel is eerie and mysterious. On page 14 the author quoted "London was startled by a crime of singular ferocity, and rendered all the more notable by the high position of the victim. The details were few and startling" in which this caught my eye, after various other time, and allowed me to think about the emotion or mood of the situation. When I thought even more in dept about the mood I started to wonder about the mood of the people in the story, even just unlisted characters. That mood told me that the people of London were terrified of Mr. Hyde as well as they hated him. Even as time passed "thousands of pounds were offered in reward" to find Mr. Hyde (Stevenson 22). So to really sum it all up, the mood of the story tends to get more aggressive towards the end along with the somewhat shocking end. So there is a lot of different things going on and making you think and that is what makes it a great story.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Historical Context

On page 6 of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the narrator quoted "the clock of the neighboring church rang out the hour of twelve, when [Mr. Utterson] would go... gratefully to bed. On this night., however,as soon as the cloth was taken away, he took up a candle and went into his business room." To me, of course, this shows a little bit of historical elements by two things, one it was said in the text that the church next door rang it's huge clock at the hour of twelve and not many town churches have a huge clock, let alone the small wooden churches. So if you peice this together then you can conclude tis church was a tall and wide stone church that had a huge yet simple clock on it's tower. Also it was said that Mr. Uterrson picked up a candle and walked to bed. Now I am not completely sure if this is historical but it does tell us that there is no usable electricity so he used a candle to see at night. So I would say this dates the time in the book at about the mid 1800's.

This is only minor evidence to show that this novel is in past times but it is still imporant to us, the readers, to know when and where the story takes place. Also it is important because it really helps the reader visualise most event going on, along with the surroundings. Without all of this historical background and evidence it would be very hard to think of the surroundings. So you need to be let known of what period in time the novel or whatever you or someone else is reading to get a hold of that imagination and think of the surroundings and everything else.

Relations and Relationships

Perhaps one of the two greatest relations is the one of Mr. Utterson and Dr. Jekyll. It started out with Mr. Utterson meeting Dr. Jekyll, or at least his butler several time, where he got the perception the he was a dear sweet old man with seeming having no relations to Mr. Hyde but he says that he has met him is acquainted to him. Later on Mr. Utterson was invited to a dinner hosted by Dr. Jekyll where soon after he talked with the lawyer to tell him more about his will and that he wants Hyde out of his life. Past that though, Dr. Jekyll has been seeing Mr. Utterson less and less. Around that time as well Mr. Utterson is given a letter from his friend Dr. Lanyon after he has passed away. The surprise inside could change the relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Utterson forever.

The importance of this somewhat close relationship is the fact that Mr. Utterson is so close to finding out who Mr. Hyde is but will be surprised by finding out that it is such a kind and generous man. If there was no actual relation between the two then there would be a lot less tension and the story would be a lot less of a story. Also if there were no relation at all between Utterson and Jekyll then there would be a lot less of a surprise at the end when Mr. Utterson finds out who the real Mr. Hyde is.

If this relation were to be terminated between Mr. Utterson and Dr. Jekyll then who is to say what would really happen in the story? Even if Dr. Jekyll were to instantly never see Mr.Utterson again then Mr. Hyde would never be seen again as well and then there would be no true ending. If Utterson would have never heard about Mr. Hyde in the first place, then most likely he would never meet Mr. Hyde either and there would again be no story. So the two knowing each other and talking frequently have created a tie between the three people and have made the stories base.

All of this together is basically saying that Mr. Utterson and Dr. Jekyll  must know each other or at least for him to know about Mr. Hyde like he did or there would honestly be no story. So the purpose of Utterson and Jekyll knowing each other is so the author has a base for the story. Otherwise there would be nothing to work off but a lawyer who wandered the streets of London finding answers fo questions he never knew about. Also it helps the reader put things together a lot better and let them foreshadow the end of the book as well as create a sense of tension and eeriness throughout the story. So this whole relation between Mr. Utterson and Dr. Jekyll is very important to the greatness of the story.

The Setting Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The setting is old London sometime in the nineteenth century where there were many urban houses being lived in with many neighbors and your main transportation was walking. This setting made an easy territory to the infamous Mr. Hyde. If it were not for the fact that everyone is a potential neighbor and everybody most likely knowing each other then Mr. Hyde would have gone on to do many more social crimes. Like when he knocked down that girl and ran right over her, he would have gotten away if the little girl's family would not have heard her screams and if Mr. Enfield was not walking back into the town at three in the morning. But even with all of the circumstances put onto Mr. Hyde he still does not care about the brutal actions he commits upon the people of London.

Mr. Enfield stated to Mr Utterson "I was coming home from some place at the end of the world, about three o'clock of a black winter morning...there was literally nothing to see but lamps" (Stevenson 2). This is exactly what was meant before with the dark emptiness of the night where it was easy for criminals to lurk, like Mr. Hyde was. Yet even when Mr Hyde "trampled calmy over the child's body and left her screaming" was not enough to satisfy his aggressive and sinister behavior (Stevenson 2). Another strong peice of setting was the house of Dr. Jekyll where Mr. Hyde "whipped out a key, and went in" like he lived there and raised a little suspicion among some people living near him as well as Mr. Utterson (Stevenson 3).

The whole purpose of the setting in this story, or atleast this first part the story, is to create a sense of mystery and a little tension between some of the characters. Also this helped the introduction explain Mr. Hyde a little bit about his sinister self as well as start the tension with Hyde and Utterson. The setting is mostly set there like that to show all of the emotion and affect of it to the people and the reader. Without it, the story would have started out weak and might not have been as good of a book as it is now.

The setting is like a helper to create emotions and different tensions between the characters. If the setting were to be different or have no detail then there would basically be no story to tell. Basically if a story has a bland or no setting then there flare or anything to grab the reader's attention. If Mr. Hyde were still his evil self but in a different surrounding then the reader would get the wrong idea of him. The authors of all books use a strong setting to show th reader what they want them to feel as they read. Setting means a lot to a great story and without it it woul be nothing but a piece of paper with words on it.

Is It Over Yet?!? (Ch. 23-24)

No....... NOOO!!!!!! He did it, he actually killed the one person who brought the most meaning to my life. I saw it with my own eyes, the lifeless body, the blank expression of horror that seems mangled into her, and the wretched, bitter anguish that flooded my body and caused me to burst into a frenzy of silent tears. It was as if looking through a window and just watching this horrid nightmare pass by but this was all too real. Now it was over, all of the fear and sadness is over now. All that fill my heart and eyes was the fiery passion of rage and hatred and there was nothing that could stop me. I first used a boat to head after the criminal and from then on it was everything I could do to keep on his treacherous trail.

It.... it seems that the people around me see my anguish and are deciding to help me upon my long and most likely never ending journey. He has left notes upon the bark of trees which only fuelled my rage even more. Finally I have caught up to the daemon, after months of anguish and perish to myself and my dogs, I have tracked him down onto a frozen ocean.

The monster has vanished, sadly, and the ice is breaking. I decided to ride with my dog on this shattered piece of ice I now call a raft and I won't stop my search, not for anything..... and then I saw this ship and that is my story of how I ended up upon it in such bad condition. The captain, Walton, has kindly kept me in his quarters as my strength and grip on life are slipping. I helped his crew out with their issues of wanting to return home and it seems that my time has come just a few days later. I lie there by the fire wondering about my life, how it was wasted by that miserable being. I felt sorry that I was not able to catch him but happy to finally see my loved ones again after my hard effort. As my eyes closed slowly my body began to fail and I could hardly speak, and as my eyes closed it seemed to be the most peaceful time of my life. It is finally over..... I can finally be happy again........ goodbye world, I will see everyone in the afterlife.

-Victor Frankenstein

It Is Time To Go Home (Ch.22)

I have been rotting in jail for some months and my father has visited me before I set out to head home to see my dear Elizabeth for whom I wished to marry. As I started my voyage back to my homeland and arrived at Paris exhausted but relieved to be back. It was as if my face was sagging so much I could place it around like clay. Also, my father helping erroneously was not working well for me or him. He tried everything he could on me but for the wrong reasons and every time I tried to tell him what was really the matter he thought I was delirious. I mean SERIOUSLY!!?!! I just wish he knew what was wrong with my life, I wish they all knew.

It seems that I have gotten a few letters from Elizabeth and she thinks I am in love with another woman!!! I have to tell her at once that I want her in my life and only her. I have to tell her my true love of her to her and I must make haste before she is too depressed by the thought of deception. If I do not hurry then I will lose her forever and of course I can't let that happen. There was only two things on my mind at that moment, the night of the wedding and the horror that will follow it.

It is the night of the wedding and Elizabeth and I were too thrilled to even speak of other topics. Yet there was still the fear of that awful daemon showing up. So I was forced by my conscience to carry pistols and daggers with me for protection, but this made Elizabeth worry. After the ceremony we had a pretty big party and set of on a small journey across the water. It was a sad time though because I knew it would be the last happy and enjoyable moment of my life.

-Victor Frankenstein

I'm Through, Finished, DONE!!!!!!! (Ch. 20)

It was one evening of which I would never forget..... The sun has set and the moon was still rising from the dimly lit horizon and I was taking a break to ease my restless mind and body. I was practically shaking by the time I could even put my tools down. Suddenly it happened, I heard the loud and horrid footsteps of nothing but the sheer fear of what I have created and put upon myself. The handle turned slowly as if time had slowed itself just to torture me and then the door opened slowly. There he was, the nightmare of my life, the anguish of my being, and the remorse of playing with something I shouldn't have. We talked for what seemed like forever and then I was filled with anger. I could not take this torture anymore, so I slandered my work and screamed at his horrid face.... "Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness." At that instant the beast grew angry and vowed to do what he promised to do at our first agonizing talk. He told me just before he left the words I will never forget... "I shall be with you on your wedding night." With that he was gone and I will always know that he is following me, until the day I die.

As of when he left I jumped into a boat to get away from the island of which I have destroyed my second, unfinished creation. Also I went to Perth to meet with Clerval, which was my main reason for leaving. So I set out on a voyage to Perth to find Henry so we may meet up finally and have the time of our lives. I seemed to have dosed off into the bottom of my boat and woke up well past noon. I sat there with a worn out expression on my face just watching the weather just change around me. Wondering and fearing the treachery that might await me at every waking moment. Then finally I arrived at Perth where I was greeted by some very rude people. Eventually they told me to meet with a man who's name was Mr. Kirwin and they said that I was responsible for a murder. OMG!!! How did this happen and how will I get out of it?!?

-Victor Frankenstein

My Work Begins (Ch. 19)

Well..... it seems that we finally get to rest in London, finally I can get a little sleep or something else to put across my mind besides this epic adventure. It seems that Clerval has decided to mingle with the "men of genius and talent that flourished," which is fine with me. It seems that he is having more fun without me and besides I need to start on my work for that hideous creature I am forced to call my creation. There was something in Clerval I saw, it was almost as if starring into a broken mirror that can only show someones past self. He is was inquisitive and anxious to gain experience and instruction. We left London in pursuit of Oxford, where we stayed a considerable amount of time. We left Oxford with regret to proceed to Matlock where we could rest.

After Matlock we headed to Derby then to Cumberland and Westmoreland where we enjoyed and hated the life of a traveler. We scarcely visited the various lake through out these two towns and grew a liking to the inhabitants among them. I visited Edenburg with languid eyes and an exhausted mind, although Clerval did not like it as much as Oxford. It was after we left Edenburg when I finally admitted that I needed to separate from Clerval. I felt as bad as him when I told him I had to leave but he let me be and I was able to proceed with my business. I headed north to find these islands and on one I found a small shack to start my work. I had the place refurbished and everything and ever since I have been working on my unholy creation.

-Victor Frankenstein

If This Will Get Rid Him Then I Shall Do It (Ch.17-18)

So.... my creation, it seems that he wants me to create him a wife. I turned down his offer many times and attempted to look upon his face in order to find his true meaning. The only thing I saw was this horrible face that caused me to wrench my face with fright. But after he kept pleading, persuading, and threatening me I decided to make him his wife. As long as he moves away with her to Africa and never bothers us again. So help me God I shall find a way to strike him down if he ever returns.

I returned back to Geneva but I was too scared and stressed to do any work at all. Weeks passed and I could barely get any work done, if any at all. It appears that my father wants me to marry Elizabeth, which I would love to do, but there is too much going on. My mind was being squeezed by all of this tension!! GAH!!!!! Okay I need to calm down, my trip to England is underway and my partner that chose to go with me is quite the pick. His name is Clerval and we seem to get along well and I enjoy his company very well. He helps me keep my mind off things that should be forgotten. It will only be some time before I arrive in England and now I will fall asleep. My eyes closing slowly to be taken into a world where everything is true. I just want this horrible nightmare to be over so I can get on with my life.

He Did It, I Was Right. (Ch.16)

OH MY GOSH!!! He did it, he really killed William. I was shaken by the horror of how much force he used to kill my poor brother. My face was flushed with anger but I had to remember why he did it. He blames me for making him so hideous but he does not know that was never my intention. Nay! That was the exact opposite, I was trying to create the perfect being. Yet I have created something that even I am horrified to look out. Even when I look into his eyes I still see the hating but understanding nature of him. Why have I created something that I am afraid of?

I understand his point of misery and rage towards me but I could not see why he had to kill my own brother. He told me told me he wanted to teach him about how inner beauty counts and how a monster such as himself can be caring. But when my brother refused, he choked him to death!?! That is not logical, and he is the one who made Justine seem guilty. If he were not as scary or as big I would probably kill him for his crimes! The creature thinks he can just ask for a favor after what he has done! My face was red and I about to throw one good jab and my awful creation but he then finished talking.

-Victor Frankenstein

That Fool, Haha! (Ch.15)

Wow! The creature actually received a gift, even it was not meant for him it is still something to recognize. He told me that the package was filled with three different books. The books contained inside were Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's lives, and the Sorrows of Werter. He kept on going about how the book made him experience different emotions and things that I actually could care less about. Until there was one thing that got my attention, he told me he was going to confront his human neighbors. I had to listen to him, I wanted to see how he miserably failed.

It took must have take a lot of courage to take in something he knows might kill him or hurt him emotionally or he is really stupid. Either way he has failed in his attempt and I can tell this story will be drawing to a close soon. I could hardly take one more hour of this, it seemed like I was sweating anxiously yet I was calm. I could tell by the expression on the creature's face that he though I was listening, too bad I really wasn't. Anyways, I was pretty much rooting for Felix as he told me that he was beaten down by him. That was worth listening to, I tell you what.

-Victor Frankenstein

The Lady on Horseback (Ch. 13)

It seems that my awful creature's stories drag on forever but I shall listen just to find out what he wants of me. He tells me there was this woman who arrived on horseback with her guide at his neighbor's house. I was confused why he was telling me about this woman but then I just figured that she was to fit in later in his story. Anyways, by this time, I was starting to fall asleep yet I could not because I needed to know many things from him. I sat there as I listened to the creature drag on and on about how beautiful she was, then he told me that he wanted a wife. I was startled but he decided to wait and tell me what he really wanted later on.

I started to rest my head on the palms of my sweaty hands, which was ironic given that it is so cold outside. I was a little startled in how fast someone such as himself could learn this language faster than the Arabian woman. As well as the fact that he managed to read along with a book called Ruin's of Empires by Volney.
I was just amazed by all of this but I had to seem like I do not care. So I just sat there quietly listening acting as if I was bored to hear his tale. Finally he told me that he wanted to love, to share his life with someone I guess. Can he really feel love does he wish to just copy the humans? This I want to get answered as soon as possible.


-Victor Frankenstein

The Beast and It's Maker (Ch.10-12)

I decided to go take a stroll into the nearby valley to go try and clear my head. The most awful and raging enticing thing happened to me while I was there though. It seems my creature has learned to talk and walk and wants em to speak with him. Of course I wanted to bash his head open but he somehow persuaded me to listen to his story. So I went to what he called his temporary home and started to hear him out. As he told me his long tall of how he stumbled through the woods and found fire I wondered how well and fast he learned about these things. So I listened on, he then told me about the various cabins and houses he went into. I was very surprised on how fast he learned about basic morals as well as helping out that family secretly every night. Although I do still blame him for all the terrible things that have happened, I still want to listen to the rest of his story.

-Victor Frankenstein

What Have I Done!?! (Ch.7-9)

My poor younger brother William, what has happened to me that caused this tragedy to happen? If only I were there to help or maybe if I just wrote more to my family, then maybe I would not feel so wretched and guilty about this happening to you. I will do anything I can to help solve this and keep Elizabeth happy. Lastly, I will find that minature of our mother and prove that Justine is innocent.

It seems that ever since I have created that horrible daemon, my life has turned for the worst. I have begun to develope crow's feet under my eyes and my hair is turning gray. I have become so skinny that it is unbelievable and you can even see my ribs. This whole time I have been regretting the fact that I have unwillingly hurt Elizabeth and I have decided that it was my creation that is guilty instead of Justine. I wanted to tell everyone at William's funeral but I just could not pull myself to do it. So now I am in Chamounix trying to get ready for whatever horror lies ahead in my life, I just hope some rest will ease some of this pain that has been placed upon me.

-Victor Frankenstein