The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published in 1886 and it launched the author, Robert Louis Stevenson, to literary fame. The novel, a mystery thriller about a respectable man who takes a potion to occasionally become a dark and evil character was very popular during the Victorian era, which is where the story is set. The story of Doctor Jekyll is one of the most known in the world – it is considered to be the basis for future’s gothic mystery novellas, and, some might argue that it has influenced such stories as The Hulk, Two-Face.

Robert Louis Stevenson, born in 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland, is one of the masters of the England’s Victorian literature. As a child he suffered from respiratory problems, which troubled him all his life. The dark tone of the story can be explained by how it came to life – the original idea occurred to him in a nightmare. In fact, when his wife woke him up he was disappointed that she interrupted a “fine bogey tale”!

The story is told in third person, from a London’s lawyer’s perspective – Mr. Gabriel John Utterson. Gabriel is reserved, honourable, and perhaps lacks imagination; he’s a lawyer because he wants to help people. He cares about following the rules and wants evil to be punished. Henry Jekyll is a respected doctor – he is a prosperous physician, known for his decency, charitable works. In the mystery novella Mr Utterson investigates the strange and frightening happenings in London, in which his dear friend, Doctor Jekyll, is involved.

The biggest theme of the thriller is good vs. evil – the repression of human nature, one’s bad side in society, maintaining our public image with lies and deceit. Dr. Jekyll is playing with matches – he wants to find his other, happier side, but he doesn’t want to show it to the world, because he is afraid – he wants to see his true self, even if it might burn his fingers, at the same time preserving his public image. The more Dr. Jekyll’s forbidden appetites are repressed, the more he desires the life of his other self.

There is no doubt that The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde one of the most famous stories in the world – to this day it is widely referenced and talked about. This novella is the inspiration to many characters in the world of literature as well as the worlds of comic books, movies, books, theatre plays and so on. It is still analysed and being interpreted, which I think is a sign of longevity in the old, as well as modern pop culture – it is a confirmation that the writer has done his job.