O Médico e o Monstro

De Robert Louis Stevenson

As suspeitas começaram quando Mr. Utterson, um circunspecto advogado londrino, leu o testamento de seu velho amigo Henry Jekyll. Qual era a relaçăo entre o respeitável Dr. Jekyll e o diabólico Edward Hyde? Quem matou Sir Danvers, o ilustre membro do parlamento londrino?
Assim começa uma das mais célebres histórias de horror da literatura mundial. A história assustadora do infernal alter ego do Dr. Jekyll e da busca através das ruas escuras de Londres que culmina numa terrível revelaçăo.
O escocęs Robert Louis Stevenson é considerado um dos maiores escritores da literatura mundial. Inexcedível no gęnero de romances de aventuras, é autor de A ilha do tesouro, um dos livros mais célebres de todos os tempos (1883). O médico e o monstro é um clássico entre os clássicos de horror e mistério. Stevenson escreveu ainda O raptado, As aventuras de David Balfour, O morgado de Ballantrae, entre outros.

• Idioma: Português
• Editora: L&PM Editores
• Data de lançamento: 1 de abr. de 2002
• ISBN: 9788525421562

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, travel writer, poet, and children’s author. Plagued by poor health his entire life, he was nevertheless an amazingly prolific writer, and created some of the most influential and entertaining fiction of the nineteenth century, including Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

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Introdução

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Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) – Como romancista é conhecido pelo poder inventivo e pela profundidade dos insights psicológicos encontrados em sua obra; uma habilidade, segundo G. K. Chesterton, de pinçar a palavra exata com a ponta de sua caneta.

Nascido em Edimburgo em 1850, Robert Louis (originalmente Lewis) Balfour Stevenson era filho de um próspero engenheiro civil. Seu pai tinha planos de que ele seguisse sua profissão, mas a saúde debilitada e a fraca inclinação para a área fizeram com que decidisse por uma carreira alternativa. Como solução conciliatória escolheu Direito, e assim entrou para a Universidade de Edimburgo para tornar-se advogado. Porém, sua crescente desilusão com a respeitabilidade presbiteriana da classe social de seus pais levou-o a frequentes conflitos e consequente distanciamento, preferindo, então, levar uma vida boêmia. Sua fascinação pela vida mundana e as personagens bizarras que conheceu proveram rico material para suas histórias. Quando Stevenson foi chamado para o tribunal em 1875, já estava determinado a tornar-se um escritor profissional. Aos vinte e poucos anos começou a sofrer sérios problemas respiratórios, agravados pelo clima escocês. Na tentativa de aliviar os sintomas da doença, passou parte de sua vida viajando para países mais quentes, e foi enquanto morava na França, em 1876, que conheceu sua futura esposa, Fanny Osbourne, uma mulher dez anos mais velha que ele. Seguiu-a até a Califórnia em um navio de emigrantes, em 1879, casando-se mais tarde, depois que o divórcio dela foi concluído. As primeiras obras de Stevenson publicadas: Uma viagem pelo interior (1878) e Viagens com um burro nas Cervennes (1879), baseadas em suas próprias aventuras, foram seguidas por um fluxo constante de artigos e ensaios. Entretanto, não foi antes de 1883 que sua primeira obra de ficção surgiu – A ilha do tesouro. Uma fase de grave doença seguida por um período de descanso em Bournemouth colocou Stevenson em contato com Henry James e os dois tornaram-se grandes amigos. O reconhecimento que Stevenson recebera por A ilha do tesouro cresceu ainda mais com a publicação de O médico e o monstro e Raptado, em 1886. Em 1888, levou sua família para os mares do sul, mais uma vez em busca de um clima mais condizente com sua condição de saúde. Estabelecendo-se em Samoa, ganhou a reputação de contador de histórias, especialmente entre os nativos. Stevenson morreu de hemorragia cerebral enquanto escrevia sua obra-prima inacabada, Weir of Hermiston, em 1894. A educação calvinista de Stevenson e a constante luta contra a saúde debilitada levou-o a preocupar-se com a morte e o lado mais negro da natureza humana, por isso encontrados em sua obra. Apesar de sua afirmação de que a ficção está para o adulto como a brincadeira está para a criança, ao final de sua vida tinha se tornado um mestre em um enorme espectro da ficção, de aventuras históricas e romances de fanfarras a histórias góticas de horror.

O médico e o monstro originou-se de um sonho que Stevenson teve. Ao acordar, lembrou-se de uma boa história de terror e imediatamente começou a escrever. O foco na dupla personalidade e a insinuação de que o mal é potencialmente mais poderoso que o bem vêm assegurando sua popularidade há mais de cem anos.

Para Katharine de Mattos

Não é certo afrouxar laços que Deus decretou fossem fortes;

Sempre seremos os filhos das urzes e do vento;

Longe de casa, ainda assim, é por você e é por mim

Que o vento balança a giesta naquelas terras mais ao norte.

A história da porta

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O advogado, Mr. Utterson, era um homem de aparência rude, que nunca se iluminava com um sorriso; frio, restrito e embaraçado no falar; retraído nos sentimentos; magro, comprido, aborrecido, melancólico e, apesar de tudo, amável. Em reuniões com amigos, e quando o vinho era de seu gosto, algo de eminentemente humano brotava de seus olhos; algo que nunca se mostrava em sua conversa, mas que se comunicava não só pelos silenciosos símbolos de sua face após o jantar, como, com maior frequência e de forma mais perceptível, por seus atos. Era austero consigo mesmo; bebia gim quando estava só, para controlar seu gosto pelo vinho e, embora apreciasse o teatro, não tinha entrado num nos últimos vinte anos. Mas tinha uma comprovada tolerância pelos outros; às vezes se maravilhava, quase com inveja, pela enorme pressão espiritual envolvida em seus maus atos e, em casos extremos, estava sempre mais inclinado a ajudar do que a reprovar. Eu me inclino pela heresia de Caim, costumava dizer textualmente, deixo que meu irmão encontre o Diabo por seus próprios meios. Dessa forma, era frequente que fosse o último amigo de boa reputação, e a última boa influência na vida de homens que decaíam. E sempre que tais homens vinham visitá-lo em seus aposentos, jamais deixou que sequer uma sombra de mudança afetasse seu comportamento.

Sem dúvida que agir dessa forma era fácil para Mr. Utterson, pois ele pouco demonstrava seus sentimentos, e mesmo suas amizades pareciam ser baseadas numa similar tolerância de amável benevolência. Receber seu círculo de amigos, já pronto, das mãos do destino é a marca de um homem modesto; e esse era o caso do advogado. Seus amigos eram aqueles de seu próprio sangue, ou aqueles a quem conhecia há mais tempo; sua afeições, como as heras, eram um desenvolvimento do tempo, não continham nenhuma ação objetiva. Em consequência, assim também eram os laços que o uniam a Mr. Richard Enfield, um parente distante, muito conhecido na cidade. Era motivo de especulação para muitos o que esses dois viam um no outro, ou que assunto podiam ter em comum. Diziam aqueles que os encontravam em seus passeios domingueiros, que eles não diziam nada, pareciam estranhamente enfadados e saudavam com óbvio alívio o encontro de um amigo. Apesar de tudo, ambos davam grande valor a essas excursões, consideravam-nas o ponto alto de cada semana e, além de não trocá-las por outras possibilidades de atividades prazerosas, chegavam a ignorar chamados de negócios para que pudessem apreciá-las sem interrupções.

Numa dessas perambulações, o acaso fez com que seu caminho os levasse a percorrer uma rua secundária, num bairro movimentado de Londres. A rua era pequena e poderia ser considerada tranquila, embora tivesse um próspero comércio nos dias úteis. Pela aparência, seus habitantes estavam indo muito bem, e com ambições de ir ainda melhor, gastando as sobras de seus rendimentos em sofisticação, de tal sorte que as vitrines das lojas daquela via tinham um ar convidativo, como fileiras de vendedoras. Mesmo aos domingos, quando escondia seus maiores atrativos e se transformava numa passagem relativamente vazia, o brilho da rua contrastava com sua sombria vizinhança, como um fogo na floresta; e, com pintura nova em suas janelas, suas peças de bronze bem polidas, sua limpeza geral e tom de alegria, era agradável ao olhar e instantaneamente chamava a atenção dos passantes.

A duas portas de uma esquina, à esquerda de quem segue no sentido leste, o alinhamento era quebrado pela entrada de um pátio, local em que o bloco sinistro de um certo prédio avançava seu espigão sobre a rua. O prédio tinha dois andares, nenhuma janela aparente, nada além de uma porta no andar de baixo e uma parede cega e descolorida no superior. Ou seja, tinha todas as características que marcam uma suja e prolongada negligência. A porta, que não tinha sineta ou aldrava, estava cheia de bolhas e descolorida. Mendigos entravam naquele recesso e raspavam seus fósforos nos painéis, crianças brincavam nos degraus, um garoto de escola tinha testado seu canivete na moldura da porta e, por quase toda uma geração, ninguém tinha aparecido para afastar esses visitantes esporádicos, ou para consertar os estragos causados por eles.

Mr. Enfield e o advogado estavam do outro lado da rua, mas quando se colocaram na linha da entrada,

Avaliações de O Médico e o Monstro

[bettesbooks · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I was expecting more. Why? Because everyone knows the tale, I just assumed the writing would be better.

[ffortuna_6 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Small but incredibly effective. Like, I know Jekyll and Hyde are the same person. Everyone knows that. I still felt actually horrified at the reveal of that fact, because Stevenson did such a good job drawing the main characters and the people surrounding them. Like The Picture of Dorian Gray, (Wilde was an admirer of the book), it explores inner and outer natures by dividing them, showing what people might do if it would never be found out and never physically affect them, and it's all the more compelling because their flaws start out so small and relatable. Jekyll didn't suffer from a deep dark secret at first, he just didn't want anyone to know about his small flaws. Excellent for the Halloween season, and especially good read in company with Dorian Gray, because both are so complete, so layered, and so subtle where it counts.

[msaucier818 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Another classic that I surprisingly enjoyed. This story is well known to anyone who has followed anything to do with pop-culture, but as is often the case, the original was not all that similar to the many different adaptations. The story is basically about Dr. Jeckyll and his journey into becoming two people. Mr. Hyde is obviously his evil side, and the story simply goes through how it came to be and the torments of the Dr. in dealing with the transition. A good story that looks into the human mind and its through process. It does not evolve into any comic book type of story and Mr. Hyde is not a tragic character.

This was a super-quick read and I would recommend it to any fans of literature.

[joe73-1 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

Great story. Should have been a bit longer. But all things considered I can really respect the writer for keeping it short. In many cases writers from this period tend to go on and on. If Stoker would have penned this it would have never ended and rolled over into the realm of politics. The story was very effective in showing the division between the personalities. This was a relief from Prince Otto which I read in the same day.

[greymowser · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

I remember reading this in school, vaguely. I found the book to be a little annoying trying to figure out the writer's meanings to old English words. Were the first time I read it, it was just a horror story, this time I realize there were psychological and possible homosexual connotations. A lot of hidden meanings in the writing. Way different read from my first dip into the pages.

[pennsylady · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

A very good audio Oct reread ...."split personality"....."dissociative identity disorder" ...psychological thriller

[librarycin · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

People have been wondering where Dr. Jekyll has been disappearing to and why the horrible Mr. Hyde seems to be such a good “friend” to Jekyll. This was ok. It might have been better if I didn't know what was going on, just for having heard what the story's about. But then, maybe not. It just wasn't really holding my interest. At least it was short and quick to read.

[laphenix · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

Curious, but quite unexceptional in all but concept. Much of the first half is merely discussion and speculation, and the second, all told through a document, and thus, there seems only a mere instant of action.

[gregorio_roth · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

A short Novella that digs into the Psychology of the angelic man, made before the fall; and the dirty creatures, that lies in all humans. The psychology developed and explained here is great. If you are looking for a long read, this will not suffice.

[dste_2 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

A strange, deformed man haunts the streets, trampling over fallen children and seemingly wresting money from the good Dr. Jekyll to escape the consequences of his misdeeds. Jekyll has even gone so far as to make this mysterious Mr. Hyde the sole benefactor of his will, against all advice from Mr. Utterson, his lawyer. Utterson suspects blackmail, and he's determined not to rest until he's helped his dear friend and client escape with his life. For surely, he thinks, Hyde must be tempted to murder Jekyll in order to usurp him. Utterson doesn't know how right he is, though not at all in the way that he suspects.The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a classic horror novel, and one that has been referenced so often in modern culture that I knew its biggest secret going in. For me, the surprises and the appeal were in discovering the way in which the story was told. Much of the plot involves watching Mr. Utterson and others slowly uncovering the mystery, and, for me, this resulted in a very interesting dramatic irony. I knew exactly what the characters were missing, but I didn't know all the twists and turns of the plot, how the characters would react to them, or how the story would reach its end. For me, this was enough to maintain interest, and I think other readers would have a similar experience if they have only a surface-level knowledge of the plot.This is a short book, certainly a quick read, and I found it to be a good example of British literature of the nineteenth century. Characters’ physical descriptions are meant to signify aspects of their personalities, houses and the weather are likewise described with obvious symbolism, the omniscient narrator tells you what the characters are like, and the characters have over-the-top reactions whenever anything remotely horrifying happens. Because of this, combined with how easy it is to read, I think it would make a great introductory book for anyone looking to get into British classics from the same time period without immediately jumping in the deep end.I also found it interesting as a window into the past, seeing how people lived and spoke and how they told their stories. I would recommend it if you have a similar interest, or if, somehow, you actually don't know the secret behind this particular mystery. If that's the case, I recommend you go out and read it right now. You're sure to have an experience worth talking about.

[spoko_1 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

So I am realizing how much I enjoy these classic gothic horror/suspense novels. That said, this particular one is a bit lacking. It’s partly the pacing, and partly the rather blunt ways that Stevenson obscures the twist. As a reader, you’re not given those tantalizing glimpses that make these stories so compelling. At least, not enough of them, and they’re not as well executed as they could be. You never feel like you’re on the verge of being drawn into Jekyll’s (or Hyde’s!) point of view, until the very last chapter. So what you’re left with is a pretty opaque mystery with a lengthy, philosophical reveal that doesn’t really feel like it was earned.

[siok-76276 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Short but powerful story. Everyone has their darker side, Dr. Jekyll chose to indulge it by turning himself into another person, ultimately to his detriment. He was unable to withdraw himself from his evil twin even when he didn't take the drug that transforms him. This is a sobering reminder of what may happen if we do not control our own darker side.

[lydia1879 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I read this using my Serial reader app and I was really happy with it!

I knew it was a classic, and, much like classics, it was a book that I'd always meant to read, or intended to read but never actually read.

I loved the atmosphere that Stevenson created. His somehow empty, foggy, cacophonous London was brought to life. I didn't find the language too hard or difficult to follow at all, which surprised me. I liked the tension for the majority of the novel -- Stevenson crafted tension through letters, confessionals and those late-night walks around London where all sorts of horrors happen.

I didn't care too much for the characters, but I definitely admired the author's writing, his language and how accessible the book is after all this time.

Even though I knew the ending, I still found it readable and hope you do too. c:

[scottcholstad · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

A classic later surpassed by many but at the time, very original and quite good.

[samantha100_1 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

Elegantly told and suspenseful, this classic story certainly stands the test of time. I read the Keynotes Classics edition. I especially appreciated the introductory key written by Michelle M. White. She provides interesting information about the author and offers valuable suggestions about what to look for in the story. As a result, I believe I got much more from this reading than I did when I first read it. Highly recommended.

[shahnareads · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

One of those 'classics' on everyones to be read lists.
It's alright.

[readingover50 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I am watching the new season of Penny Dreadful and they are featuring Dr. Jekyll this year. I realized I have never read this book, so I decided to pick it up in preparation for the show.

The writing feels very dense, and the pacing is slow. The reader slowly gets a feeling of dread, rather than outright scares. This is common with many of the horror stories of the period that I have read.

The story is interesting, with much musing on the nature of good and evil. It was a bit slower paced than I like, but this is a short book and easy to read in a day.

[flying_monkeys_1 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

Rating: 5 of 5

What can be said about a classic such as The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? A story so well-known, one that has permeated our culture so completely (perhaps rivaled only by Frankenstein and Dracula), most everyone knows the gist without ever having read the novella or watched a film adaption. I daresay, little, if anything new, or at the very least, "fresh." Thus I will stick to my personal reaction in this review.

From a writer's perspective, I applaud (and appreciate) the structure and narrative style. Stevenson built upon (and relied on) the reader's natural curiosity and desire to solve the mystery of Mr. Hyde, to know what was "really" happening, which probably made this quite the sensational page-turner during its initial publication in 1886. I read the story much slower than I do with most modern fiction; there's much to savor and digest for those patient enough to nibble. One of the story's less subtle themes - repression of one's curiosity and not asking questions that "shouldn't" be asked - was ingenious, wasn't it? Given the tools Stevenson utilized to engage readers. OH! And the descriptions throughout the story often knocked me for a loop they were so ... distinct; Stevenson knew exactly what images he wanted to conjure up in readers' minds.

I will definitely give this one a re-read whenever I want a refresher in (1) allegory and (2) the characterization and theme of duality and hypocrisy.

Disclaimer: If you are bored or confused by complex sentences, extended paragraphs, and/or Victorian Era prose, then The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde probably won't float your boat.

[sturlington_1 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Along with FRANKENSTEIN and DRACULA, this short novel makes up the holy triumvirate of early horror. It asks the question: What is the nature of man's soul? The answer is that we all have a dark side, a side without a conscience, that lives only for its own pleasure without regard for anyone else. This is the Mr. Hyde that emerges when Jekyll drinks his magic potion, and he repulses everyone he meets. As Jekyll discovers, if we give free reign to the Hyde imprisoned within us, he grows stronger and asserts himself more and more, until he threatens to take over entirely.

Despite being afflicted by the usual Victorian floridness of language (some skimming required), DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE is a highly readable, if rather circuitous, story. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the evolution of the horror genre.

[sometimeunderwater · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

Bet this was a blitz before everyone and their kid knew the secret twist. A fine gothic novella, proceeding on railroad towards the ending you already knew was coming.

[williemeikle-1 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

It's not called a classic without good reason. It's an almost perfectly plotted short novel, all the parts complementing each other, all serving to build tension and anticipation. The good doctor is suitably tragic, Hyde is suitably degenerate and, despite having seen the multitude of adaptations over the years, it still feels remarkably fresh and modern. All of Stevenson's stylistic flourishes are on show, as well as his rarely bettered storytelling ability. I'd give it six stars if I could.

[stahl2ricco · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

“... that man is not truly one, but truly two.”

The idea that we all have a dark side? Well, certainly the main character of this story does! Dr. Henry Jekyll meets/creates/releases Edward Hyde, “The evil side of my nature,...”, and is not the same for it! It's a quick read, well except for the last chapter that draaaaags on, and an important story in the history of "horror" literature, so I'm glad I read it! Not scary by today's standards, but still a freaky idea and one that has been repeated often! I wonder which of my two halves would be the dominant one? Or do I have more than two? Hmm...

[john257hopper · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

This is a re-read of this classic 19th century novella which has been the inspiration behind so many spin-offs since. It is a taut and atmospheric piece of writing, and the conclusion that Jekyll and Hyde are one and the same, two sides of the same being, only becomes evident near the end - it is hard for us to understand how this would have shocked and thrilled the reader in 1886, so familiar has the Jekyll and Hyde motif become.

[starla_aurora · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

interesting... not what I remember from 15 yrs ago. that's what happens with memory and Hollywood influence.

[borrows0n0wants · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I love the story. However, since nearly 98% of the population is familiar with this story, it is kind of a drag to read this since you know how everything unfolds. I also didn't find the way in which the story was told very captivating. It is such a thin book, and I had a terrible time getting through it. I actually skipped parts in this book because they were so dreadfully boring.

[angelajmaher · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

This is one of those classic stories it would be almost impossible to not be aware of on some level. The basic concept of the book is deeply ingrained in pop culture, but a lot of people probably haven't read the origin of what has become a legend of sorts.
Reading the classics isn't always easy; the writing style being of a previous era. But it gives a new and interesting perspective to read the original texts that have spawned so many echoes through to the modern day.
This book is a good place to start if you're wanting to start dipping into the classics. The older style might take some getting used to, but it's short. It would be easy enough to read the whole thing in a single quiet afternoon, but if read in smaller doses, still wouldn't take a terribly long time to get through.
As with other classic works I've read, such as Frankenstein, the nuances and details were not quite what I expected. It has a much deeper reflection on human nature, for one.
This is well worth reading, if only to see how the tale was originally portrayed.

[geoffhabiger · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I honestly don't remember if I ever read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when I was younger. Of course, I knew the tale (in passing), though what I "knew" was always tinted through the lens of pop culture references to the character. Stevenson's tale, and his description of Mr. Hyde, is very different from many of the more "monstrous" characterizations of the character, and honestly I think that these retellings do an injustice to Stevenson's work. Hyde is a monster for sure, an purely evil man, but having him be a shriveled, gnarled man who can illicit fear and revulsion by his mere presence, but who can speak as a gentleman is a much more compelling take than as a rampaging hulk. (I'm glaring at you, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.)

I picked up this copy through my library to listen on my daily commute. The story was very good, and is befitting its place as a classic of story-telling. Robert Louis Stevenson does a great job of setting the scenes and letting the reader explore the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego. The method that Stevenson uses is one that probably wouldn't work in today's market - with most of the story told through the exposition of letters and confessions that are read, as opposed to the readers experiencing the shock of "seeing" the strange transformation from Utterson's perspective.

My enjoyment of this particular telling of the story was a bit diminished by the pronunciation of the title's namesake - Dr. Henry Jekyll. I am an American, and I have always heard the name pronounced as "Jeh-kill". The narrator, the amazingly talented Sir Ian Holm, pronounced it as "Jee-kil" - a long "E" sound, rather than the soft "E" I am familiar with. Everything else about Holm's reading was wonderful, and I really enjoyed it, but every time he said Dr. Jekyll's name I would go "who? oh, he means the main character".

Overall I liked the book and I am glad that I have read it. If you have never read the original story, and like me are only aware of the tale through second and third-hand pop culture references, then I highly recommend you pick it up.

[margaretfield · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

might be the best crafted short story I've ever read

[hopeevey · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Like most folks, I knew the broad outline of this story, but hadn't actually read it. I'm very glad I did. It's both simpler, and more complex, than a tale of one man split between his higher and his baser selves.

The telling is a combination of memior, and epistilary. Dr. Jeckyll's solicitor tells the story, including reading out some documents, including Dr. Jeckyll's final confession. Through the narrative, we meet a group of wholely believeable characters, through a beautifully structured tale. The writing is lovely and engaging. And the more I think about the plot, the more impressed I become. Generally, I can find a hole or two, but I don't mind in a well-told tale, or a story about really good characters. In this case, I can't find any. Nothing happens purely out of narrative imperative. Even at the end, it makes perfect sense that Edward Hyde not only wants, but needs to return to being Dr. Jeckyll, for all that he hates him.

This is a wonderful example of Sciene Fiction, and hard s/f at that. It is a chemical compound that allows him to seperate himself into two identities. The author very neatly keeps the experiment from being duplicated - the effect was caused by an unkown impurity in an indgredient. Dr. Jeckyll himself tries desperately to recreate the compound, but cannot. I simple makes sense that no one else is able to, either.

The story says volumes about the morals and philosopy of morals of the time. Dr. Jeckyll is trying to divorce himself from what he considers his baser urges. Those urges become a seperate identity, which takes on an outer shape reflecting his inner nature. It's taken for granted that morality or lack thereof would be obvious on someone's face.

Dr. Jeckyll may have been, originally, trying to put aside his baser urges. His chemical compound, however, gave him a way to indulge those urges, without consequence to himself. If Edward Hyde indulged in reprehensible acts, no one would think it had anything to do with Dr. Jeckyll. Even those who knew there was a connection, assumed that Hyde was blackmailing Jeckyll.

I find myself comparing this to the Orginal Series Star Trek Episode, "The Enemy Within". (Yes, everything in the world is connected to Star Trek. Hush.) In this episode, a transporter accident splits Captain Kirk into two men. They're physically identical, but one has all of Kirk's higher, gentler aspects, and the other has all of his baser, more violent aspects. The acting (Yes, there was so acting. Didn't I tell you to hush?) was the only difference between the two Kirks. And, unlike the good Dr. Jeckyll, Kirk found his salvation not in repression, but in integration. To be his best self, he needed both his angel and his devil.

Dr. Jeckyll, however, found that give way to his darker side gave that side power. To him and his contemporaries, Kirk's solution was unthinkable. The baser part of man was a thing to be fought, suppressed, ideally to be killed entirely. Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde is a dramatic lesson in the dangers of giving way to your baser urges. At the end, it was just thinking like Hyde that brought on the transformation; that part of him had become that strong.

I don't, personally, subscribe to that philosophy. But you don't have to agree with the underlying philosophy to be moved by the tale. Dr. Jeckyll let something dangerous into his life. Once he realized just how dangerous, he stopped using the compound, and put Hyde out of his mind entirely. But he gave into temptation. You could imagine him thinking, "It'll be okay just this one time." Who hasn't thought that? But that one more time was his undoing.

[rajivc_18 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

I had read this book many years back, and read it again. It is indeed one of the more fascinating books that I have read. It's been a while since I read some of the old classics ( I started with Bertie Wooster!), and it took one or two pages before I got back into the swing of it all

The concept is incredible, and does indeed hark to the present when we are trying all sorts of brain and other experiments. It does teach us the dangers of meddling too much with biology, and playing God.

Beautiful book, Needs to be widely read again