Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

 The Good and The Bad

Literary works evoke feelings and relate matters very close to the heart.

Some thoughts and values though depicted in the olden days and may be as old as the hills still stay relevant today.

One such reading is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

When I taught the novel to some students a few years ago, we pondered over the protagonist and his actions. Why does he want to portray himself in two characters?

Here is the scientist so well-respected and admired by the socialites and highly regarded.

 He had almost everything at his call; looks, intelligence, wealth, position and fame.

It's typical of life. You may have everything but you stay deprived. You want something different. 

So Dr.Jekyll with his scientific skills invents a potion to allow himself to lose himself in evil.

In a different image and outlook he seeks to be with the disapproved. 

How does it feel to be bad in the eyes of man?

At one point, he actually enjoys it.

How many of the rich and famous also long to let go and be like him?

When we considered his actions, the teacher and students agree that he is foolish.

Foolish in the eyes of them; why when you have everything you must risk your life?

But Dr. Jekyll is finding life meaningless.

He has to be Mr. Hyde to add colours to his life.

It is fun to be evil; so he thinks.

Not exactly youthful anymore, I have seen someone do that.

I always thought it is only a fairy tale; Dr. J and Mr. H.

But sad to say, it is true. I have seen such a character in real life.

Suave and popular, it is a perfect character in man's eyes.

But the only difference is, I have not seen the end.

I know Mr. Hyde never had the chance to save himself; the imagery became a reality at his death.

Dr. Jekyll ended his life as Mr. Hyde.

A good man died a bad man.

How sad.

 I hope my students will learn a lesson from this novel.

That they will not think it will never happen to them but that they will be wise under all temptations.

It is indeed beneficial to read because writers expose characters that are real.

So, to read is to gain.

That they will decide not to be Mr. Hyde because they will face unhappy consequences.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Stay good children.