Author, Background, and Context (Grade 12 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Author, Background, and Context
The author - Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer born on 13th November 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Understanding Stevenson's life helps us appreciate the themes and ideas in his famous novella.
From childhood, Stevenson struggled with serious health problems, particularly respiratory issues that affected him throughout his life. Despite his poor health, he was determined to pursue his dreams. His father expected him to follow family tradition by studying engineering, and when that didn't work out, he pushed Stevenson towards law at university when he was just 17 years old.
Although Stevenson studied law and gained legal knowledge (which becomes evident in the precise, legal language used in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde), he never actually practised as a lawyer. Instead, he followed his passion for writing and became a successful author. His determination to write despite family pressure shows his independent spirit.
Stevenson's legal training significantly influenced his writing style. The formal, precise language and methodical structure evident in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde reflects his legal education, giving the novella its distinctive documentary-like quality.
Stevenson was quite adventurous and travelled to many different countries, seeking both inspiration and better climates for his health. During his travels, he met Fanny in France and later followed her to America, where they married. Eventually, he settled in Samoa in the South Pacific, where he spent his final years.
Tragically, Stevenson died young in 1894 at only 44 years old from a brain haemorrhage. Despite his short life, he became one of the world's most translated authors, with his works including famous novels like Treasure Island and Kidnapped, as well as The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Historical and cultural background
The Victorian period
The novella was written during the late 19th century, known as the Victorian period, which lasted from 1837 to 1901 under Queen Victoria's rule. This historical context is crucial for understanding the story's themes and conflicts.
Victorian society was characterised by very strict moral codes and social expectations. People were required to show complete sexual restraint and demonstrate zero tolerance for crime or improper behaviour. The middle class had gained significant political and economic power during this time, and they enforced rigid social rules about how people should conduct themselves.
Victorian values demanded that individuals follow unwritten social regulations and maintain proper behaviour at all times. This created a society where people often had to suppress their natural desires and impulses to fit in with social expectations. This repressive atmosphere is essential to understanding why the theme of hidden, suppressed desires is so central to Jekyll and Hyde.
Science and the supernatural
A major intellectual conflict was taking place during Stevenson's time that directly influenced his writing. In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, introducing his theory of evolution to the public. Darwin's theory suggested that all life, including humans, had evolved from more primitive forms rather than being created by God.
This scientific theory created enormous controversy and challenged traditional religious beliefs. Many people saw Darwin's ideas as a direct attack on Christianity and felt that science was becoming dangerous by interfering with matters that should be left to God's control.
Interestingly, rather than making people less religious, this scientific challenge actually caused many Victorians to turn even more strongly towards religion and supernatural beliefs. People became increasingly interested in spiritualistic cults, ghosts, magic, and other supernatural phenomena.
This tension between science and the supernatural provides important context for understanding Jekyll's scientific experiments and the mysterious, almost magical transformation into Hyde.
Gothic fiction tradition
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde belongs to the Gothic fiction tradition, which was popular during this period. Gothic novels were known for their focus on horror elements, monsters, and creepy, ancient settings that created an atmosphere of fear and mystery.
The character of Edward Hyde clearly fits into this Gothic tradition - he represents the monster figure that was common in Gothic literature. However, unlike traditional Gothic monsters that were obviously different from normal people, Hyde appears to be an ordinary person on the surface. This makes him even more frightening because he doesn't fit with the other respectable, civilised people of London society. He represents the hidden evil that could be lurking within anyone.
The concept of dual nature
A key Victorian belief that shapes the entire story is the idea that all human beings possess a dual (double) nature. Victorians believed that every person contained both good and evil aspects within themselves, and that civilised behaviour required constantly controlling the evil side.
Character Analysis: The Dual Nature Concept
In the novella, this dual nature concept is literally represented through the two characters:
Jekyll: Represents the rational, moral, and good aspects of human nature
- Educated and respectable
- Follows social conventions
- Rational decision-making
- Professional reputation
Hyde: Represents the irrational, instinctive, aggressive, and evil aspects of human nature
- Primitive and violent
- Ignores social rules
- Acts on impulse
- Socially outcast
This concept reflects Victorian anxieties about what might happen if people stopped controlling their darker impulses and gave in to their basic, animal instincts.
Understanding the title's significance
The title "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" is carefully crafted and reveals several important aspects of the story before you even begin reading.
The word "case" suggests that we're dealing with a scientific experiment or investigation, reinforcing the importance of scientific themes in the story. As a doctor, Jekyll represents the scientific, educated middle class, while the title of "Dr" emphasises his professional respectability.
The positioning of the protagonist's name (Dr Jekyll) and antagonist's name (Mr Hyde) close together in the title suggests their connection, while the conjunction "and" indicates that these two characters are somehow linked rather than being completely separate individuals.
There's also a subtle class difference indicated by their titles: "Dr Jekyll" suggests middle-class respectability and education, while "Mr Hyde" implies a lower social class. This reflects Victorian concerns about class differences and social respectability.
The word "strange" immediately signals that supernatural or unusual elements will play a role in the story, preparing readers for the mysterious transformation that forms the heart of the plot.
Key Points to Remember:
- Stevenson's background: Born 1850 in Edinburgh, studied law but became a writer, travelled widely, died young at 44 in 1894
- Victorian context: Strict moral codes, middle-class power, sexual restraint, and rigid social expectations created a repressive society
- Science vs religion: Darwin's evolution theory (1859) challenged religious beliefs and increased interest in supernatural phenomena
- Gothic tradition: The story follows Gothic fiction patterns with Hyde representing a new type of monster figure
- Dual nature concept: Victorian belief that all humans contain both good and evil sides, literally represented by Jekyll (good) and Hyde (evil)