How does Stevenson present the effects of Jekyll’s scientific ambitions?
Overarching statement: stevenson delivers a cautionary tale that warns against the dangers of the
pursuit of ‘forbidden knowledge’ without any regard for the consequences that may arise from
delving too far into science and scientific hubris. He echoes the concerns during the fin de siècle
period which entailed the lack of boundaries surrounding scientific exploration and the ethical
aspects of the rapid pace at which science was evolving.
Point 1: Stevenson presents the effects of Dr Jekyll’s scientific ambitions through the portrayal of
moral decay primarily through the creation of Hyde. This intertwines Darwin’s theory of evolution
and Max Nordau’s concept of upper-class degeneration to explore the idea that Jekyll’s experiments
causing the deterioration of his morality.
Point 2: The duality of Jekyll and Hyde reflects the psychological turmoil inherent in the pursuit of
scientific knowledge and power, as Jekyll struggles with his desire for scientific discovery and his fear
of the consequences. The exploration of duality of human nature serves as a lens through which he
examines the consequences of Jekyll’s scientific pursuits.
Point 3: Jekyll is presented as an Adam-like figure whose curiosity for forbidden knowledge results in
his own downfall. Stevenson presents his scientific ambitions as the route to his ultimate ruin
exploiting the fears surrounding the pace of scientific change prevalent in the fin de siècle period.
Point 1 -Scientific ambitions creating moral decay to exploit societal fear of pace of scientific change
and to critique the decline of Morality
Stevenson uses Jekyll’s scientific ambition as a vehicle to highlight the moral decay sprouted from the
delving too deeply into scientific experimentation in order to exploit societal fears of the new arrival
of scientific discovery and to critique upper class moral decline. Jekyll embodies what Nordau coined
as ‘upper class degeneration’ through his scientific ambitions. Nordau took the pain to insist that the
degenerate population ‘consists chiefly of rich educated people’ who with too much time and means
at their disposal succumb to decadence and depravity. Henry Jekyll who is a member of the upper -
class gentility embodied Max Nordau’s term ‘upper class degeneration’ who himself with too much
time and means creates the character of Hyde and succumbs to immoral temptations through Hyde.
His moral decline is highlighted through his action in the extract of chapter 9 where Hyde
manipulates dr lanyon into witnessing his transformation. Stevenson uses the phrase ‘lanyon, you
remember your vows: what follows is under the seal of our profession’ to emphasise the
manipulative nature of Hyde revealing the extent to which his scientific ambitions have led to moral
compromise and ethical transgression. Stevenson uses the manipulation of lanyon a fellow
professional to highlight the deterioration of Jekyll’s moral integrity and the willingness to disregard
ethical boundaries in pursuit of scientific discovery. Jekyll attempts to justify his actions and compel
lanyon to participate in his experiment by invoking professional oaths demonstrating his willingness
to sacrifice his principles in order to achieve his goals. Stevenson utilises Jekyll’s moral decline in
order to continue with his relentless pursuits of scientific knowledge to serve as a warning of
indulging in unchecked desires and the consequences of decadence further echoing max Nordau’s
concerns about degeneration of the upper class. This is further emphasised through the phrase ‘or
shall you prefer to choose a new province of knowledge and new avenues to fame, and power shall
Overarching statement: stevenson delivers a cautionary tale that warns against the dangers of the
pursuit of ‘forbidden knowledge’ without any regard for the consequences that may arise from
delving too far into science and scientific hubris. He echoes the concerns during the fin de siècle
period which entailed the lack of boundaries surrounding scientific exploration and the ethical
aspects of the rapid pace at which science was evolving.
Point 1: Stevenson presents the effects of Dr Jekyll’s scientific ambitions through the portrayal of
moral decay primarily through the creation of Hyde. This intertwines Darwin’s theory of evolution
and Max Nordau’s concept of upper-class degeneration to explore the idea that Jekyll’s experiments
causing the deterioration of his morality.
Point 2: The duality of Jekyll and Hyde reflects the psychological turmoil inherent in the pursuit of
scientific knowledge and power, as Jekyll struggles with his desire for scientific discovery and his fear
of the consequences. The exploration of duality of human nature serves as a lens through which he
examines the consequences of Jekyll’s scientific pursuits.
Point 3: Jekyll is presented as an Adam-like figure whose curiosity for forbidden knowledge results in
his own downfall. Stevenson presents his scientific ambitions as the route to his ultimate ruin
exploiting the fears surrounding the pace of scientific change prevalent in the fin de siècle period.
Point 1 -Scientific ambitions creating moral decay to exploit societal fear of pace of scientific change
and to critique the decline of Morality
Stevenson uses Jekyll’s scientific ambition as a vehicle to highlight the moral decay sprouted from the
delving too deeply into scientific experimentation in order to exploit societal fears of the new arrival
of scientific discovery and to critique upper class moral decline. Jekyll embodies what Nordau coined
as ‘upper class degeneration’ through his scientific ambitions. Nordau took the pain to insist that the
degenerate population ‘consists chiefly of rich educated people’ who with too much time and means
at their disposal succumb to decadence and depravity. Henry Jekyll who is a member of the upper -
class gentility embodied Max Nordau’s term ‘upper class degeneration’ who himself with too much
time and means creates the character of Hyde and succumbs to immoral temptations through Hyde.
His moral decline is highlighted through his action in the extract of chapter 9 where Hyde
manipulates dr lanyon into witnessing his transformation. Stevenson uses the phrase ‘lanyon, you
remember your vows: what follows is under the seal of our profession’ to emphasise the
manipulative nature of Hyde revealing the extent to which his scientific ambitions have led to moral
compromise and ethical transgression. Stevenson uses the manipulation of lanyon a fellow
professional to highlight the deterioration of Jekyll’s moral integrity and the willingness to disregard
ethical boundaries in pursuit of scientific discovery. Jekyll attempts to justify his actions and compel
lanyon to participate in his experiment by invoking professional oaths demonstrating his willingness
to sacrifice his principles in order to achieve his goals. Stevenson utilises Jekyll’s moral decline in
order to continue with his relentless pursuits of scientific knowledge to serve as a warning of
indulging in unchecked desires and the consequences of decadence further echoing max Nordau’s
concerns about degeneration of the upper class. This is further emphasised through the phrase ‘or
shall you prefer to choose a new province of knowledge and new avenues to fame, and power shall
