Stevenson and Conrad The Duality of Human Nature

The Victorian Age marked a period of immense transition in many aspects of human life. In 1859 Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, a work that opposed the traditional way of perceiving religion. Candyce Klin author of â€Å"Darwinism as A Cultural Issue†, states that The Origin of Species proposed the theory that all living creatures had to compete within their own preconditions in order to survive. This may be why the controversial issue of the duality of human nature has been found at the heart of many Victorian works. The theme of the duality of man can be found in the works of two famous English authors, Robert Louis Stevenson and Joseph Conrad. Stevenson and Conrad both incorporate the theme of the duality of human nature†¦show more content†¦Actually he finds it nearly impossible to coordinate their extremely different demeanors. Mr. Utterson’s discovery of Dr. Jekyll’s shocking separation occurs only in the final chapter of the novella (Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case). At this point in the novella Mr. Hyde’s depraved violence has been frequently contrasted to Dr. Jekyll’s kind and honorable characteristics. After John Utterson first in counters Edward Hyde he describes him as â€Å"the picture of disquietude†¦ he gave an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation† (Stevenson 1652). In contrast to Hyde’s animalistic characteristics Jekyll is described with the most respectable terms such as tall, polite, intelligent, and honorable. Only after Utterson has read Lanyon’s letter and Jekyll’s confession does he truly recognize that Jekyll and Hyde are the same man. The last two chapters are text documents and depart from Utterson’s narration, leaving the reader to ponder the reality of Dr. Jekyll’s dual existence. Throughout The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Stevenson has laid the fundamentals of evidence proving th at the duality is in fact inherited in human nature. This is shown when Dr. Jekyll confesses, â€Å"man is not truly one, but truly two† (Stevenson 1682). By claiming this Dr. Jekyll has presented duality as a universal condition. Joseph Conrad was born Jà ³zef Teodor KonradShow MoreRelatedStevenson and Conrad: The Duality of Human Nature 949 Words   |  4 PagesConrad also employs the literary device of symbolism to further display the theme, the duality of human nature in his novella Heart of Darkness. Three major examples of symbolism are evident in this novella. These examples include, light and dark, the Congo River, and ivory. Similar to Stevenson, Conrad uses light and dark symbolism throughout his novella. Yet curiously in Heart of Darkness, light does not symbolize genuine goodness nor does dark symbolize pure calamity. Marlow proves this when heRead MoreStevenson and Conrad: The Duality of Human Nature 778 Words   |  3 Pagesaspects of human life. In 1859 Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, a work that opposed the traditional way of perceiving religion. Candyce Klin author of â€Å"Darwinism as A Cultural Issue†, states that The Origin of Species proposed the theory that all living creatures had to compete within their own preconditions in order to survive. This may be why the controversial issue of the duality of human nature has been found at the heart of many Victorian works. The theme of the duality of man canRead MoreStevenson and Conrad: The Duality of Human Nature 680 Words   |  3 Pagesis shown to further demonstrate the theme, the duality in human nature. Personification is defined as the ascription of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of a theoretical quality in human form. Stevenson uses personification to figuratively make London come alive. Mr. Utterson comments on the scenery by saying: â€Å"the fog still slept ... lamps glimmered like carbuncles† (Stevenson 1959). Stevenson further describes the city through the literaryRead MoreVictorian Novel9605 Words   |  39 Pagesrevolutions and fighting across the Channel, in Britain was completely different. Here, the most vital i ssue for all citizens was stability and rising standards of living. Artists of ‘Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood’ claimed to write only true about nature, concentrate only on the true ideas. These three years saw the rise of such works: of Bronte sisters’ Poems, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, William Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. The Following twenty years could be seen