Author Description
'Instantly the spirit of hell awoke in me and raged...I was suddenly struck through the heart by a cold thrill of terror.' Stevenson's short novel, published in 1886, became an instant classic. It was a Gothic horror that originated in a feverish nightmare, whose hallucinatory setting in the murky back streets of London gripped a nation mesmerized by crime and violence. The respectable doctor's mysterious relationship with his disreputable associate is finally revealed in one of the most original and thrilling endings in English literature. In addition to Jekyll and Hyde, this edition also includes a number of short stories and essays written by Stevenson in the 1880s, minor masterpieces of fiction and comment: 'The Body Snatcher', 'Markheim', and 'Olalla' feature grave-robbing, a sinister double, and degeneracy, while 'A Chapter on Dreams' and 'A Gossip on Romance' discuss artistic creation and the 'romance' form. Appendixes provide extracts from contemporary writings on personality disorder, which set Stevenson's tale in its full historical context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
A respectable physician’s experiments with a transformative serum unleash a violent, hidden persona that threatens to consume his entire existence. Dr. Henry Jekyll seeks to isolate the dual nature of humanity, but his scientific ambition results in the emergence of Edward Hyde, a figure defined by cruelty and lack of remorse. The narrative unfolds through a series of perspectives, including legal documents and personal accounts, which track the physical and psychological deterioration of the protagonist as he loses control over his own body. The story operates within the rigid social constraints of Victorian London, where reputation serves as the primary barrier against the encroaching chaos of Hyde’s nocturnal activities.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Epistolary narrative structure using letters and witness testimonies
- Exploration of Victorian social hypocrisy and moral duality
- Atmospheric depiction of fog-laden, labyrinthine London streets
- Psychological investigation into the fragmentation of the self
- Inclusion of supplemental short stories like 'The Body Snatcher' and 'Markheim'
- Analysis of artistic creation through included essays
- Historical context provided via contemporary medical writings
- Focus on the physical manifestation of internal moral decay
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Discussion often centers on the novella’s enduring influence as a foundational text for psychological horror and the concept of the shadow self. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the atmospheric prose in conveying the claustrophobic tension of the protagonist’s predicament. Critics often examine how the text reflects late-Victorian anxieties regarding scientific progress and the stability of the human identity. The inclusion of additional short stories and essays is noted for providing a comprehensive view of the author’s thematic interests during the 1880s. This collection is widely regarded as a significant resource for those interested in the intersection of literature and early psychological theory.
Page Count:
247
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191579068
ISBN-13:
9780191579066
Gothic Horror
Psychological Thriller
Short Stories
English
Fiction psychological
Victorian
English & College Success
Physicians fiction
Classic Literature
Jekyll doctor fictitious character fiction
London England
Fiction - Horror
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