Worldview in Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Shawn Hassen

While we won’t find any “nameable” philosophies per se in Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we can certainly identify aspects of worldview.

Theme: Nature of Humankind

Stevenson presents humans as having a dual nature: good and evil. Interestingly, it is the protagonist’s ennui that leads the seemingly upstanding “good” citizen to explore the dark side. For a while, he manages a balancing act between maintaining his good side and indulging his bad side, but . . .

Theme: The Addictive Nature of Evil

The more the protagonist dabbles in the dark arts, the more addictive it becomes. At first, Dr. Jekyll has control over which of his “sides” he will present to the world. But the more he indulges his evil nature, the more powerful it becomes. Jekyll once summoned Hyde, but as the power shifts, Hyde usurps Jekyll’s control and eventually completely overwhelms him. This is the very metaphor of addiction. At first, we have control. But as we indulge more, our cravings—our need—begins to overtake us and assume control.  

The Novella’s Correlations/Contrasts to Scripture

The plot focuses on the “separating out” of one man’s dual natures: his good side and his bad (evil) side. But this is not the biblical definition of human nature. After the fall and the legacy of original sin, there is no “good side.” Humans have many layers of individual personality traits, but they only have one nature tainted by sin since the fall. The book of Romans explains that outside of God, there is nothing good. Because of total depravity, the theological term for a world that has, in its entirety, been altered by sin, we cannot have a “good side.” Believers walking with Christ are capable of good works and acts of obedience in response to his grace—but our nature, at the core, is sin-tainted. Until we are perfected in the next life, we (with the help of the Holy Spirit) will always have to consciously fight against our sinful nature (and we will certainly never indulge it such as we see in the novel).

Now, is it possible to present what appears to be two “different sides” of ourselves? Of course. On a basic level, many of us have trouble being authentic in the public eye. Sometimes the person employers or teachers see is not the person family members know at home. And on a more sinister level, news magazines or even our own experiences tell of people who have become addicted to secrecy, to leading a “double” life, much like we see in this novel. As we battle our (single) nature tainted by sin, the allure of secrecy, deception, or even evil can be a powerful temptation for some people.  

The novel’s analogy of addiction is spot on. At first, Jekyll only dabbles in darkness. He has control over when he chooses to take the potion (which isn’t all that often at first), and therefore he has control over when he hides Hyde (hopefully students see the significance in the name). But the more he indulges, the more he indulges. He craves the darkness more and more, and then we see him ultimately lose all control. This is not only an important discussion to have with students about the powerful nature of addictive substances or addictive behaviors, but it is also analogous (whether intended or not by Stevenson) to the addictive power of sin. Every human has a sin nature. The question becomes, do we indulge it—will we do what we want, when we want, and how we want regardless of the consequences if it brings satisfaction, or pleasure, or if it feels good? Or will we take up the armor of God and go to battle to decrease sin and increase obedience and fullness of life in Christ? A person running away from God indulges sin, and it will grow (as the story suggests). A person running toward God shuns sin. Because of our love and gratitude, we don’t want to sin. We have a great and powerful help--the Holy Spirit is ever changing us and growing us, giving us a will, a desire, and the ability to follow God more and more closely. From this (and not flirtations with evil borne out of boredom), we find increasing fulfillment and joy.