The Representation of evil in Robert Louis Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Example for Free

The Representation of evil in Robert Louis Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published his short novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A recurring theme in the novella is that of evil, a popular subject in Victorian literature as it is such an interesting concept to interpret. The story was set in London, a city put across in the novella as being a dark, intimidating place (as most of the scenes were set in the night-time), and where otherwise respectable men and women indulged in evil activities such as gambling, sex, violence and drugs. Stevenson makes many references to the id and ego, which Sigmund Freud wrote about earlier in the 20th century. Freud believed that the id and ego were in constant battle with one another, the id being the unfettered self, and the ego a personality you project on society. The id very much represents the evil side of man in Stevensons novella, and this is shown when the respectable Dr. Jekyll takes the potion to release Hyde, his animalistic id. Stevenson was plagued by ill-health as a child, and was taken care of by a nurse. The nurse was a strong Christian, and thrust stories upon him of evil people burning in hell for eternity, and good people being taken to heaven. Stevenson disagreed with the belief that people were born either good or evil, rather that they were born as both. Sigmund Freud wrote that when a child is born, they are id-ridden, meaning that they demand instant satisfaction. He believed that as a child grows, their ego is formed around social morals, norms and taboos. Stevenson seems to suggest that as the ego suppresses the id, the ids affect on behavior becomes stronger, causing people to indulge in activities regarded as being evil. Stevenson also uses symbolism to convey evil. The doors used by Jekyll and Hyde are an example of symbolism. In chapter 1 The Story of the Door, Stevenson describes the door used by Hyde. The door, which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained. This immediately gives the image of someone who doesnt care about appearance or image. Mr. Hyde using this door shows that he isnt respectable and he needs to hide away. The location of the door also suggests the evil being hidden away, down a back alley, deep inside a persons mind. I dont believe Mr. Hydes actions are evil. By definition, evil actions are conscious decisions to have a negative effect on something, and that contradicts the whole concept of the id. The id is something that all humans are born with, and, as Freud wrote, does not have knowledge of good and evil, only that its desires demand instant satisfaction. What comes across to the crowd and audience as an evil action because no flicker of remorse is shown, is actually not intended. The first time we hear about him is when we are told of a madman knocking down a small child and walking straight over her. It sounds like nothing to hear, but it was hellish to see. It wasnt like a man; it was like some damned Juggernaut. The phrase juggernaut suggests Mr. Hyde is amoral, not evil. Hyde isnt bothered about who or what he hurts; he doesnt have a conscience to speak of. He never feels guilty of his actions. As he gets more out of control, he acts more like an animal, and quite insanely. And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot. When Jekyll tries to control his evil side, after a while, it doesnt work because, as stated before, when the evil is suppressed it comes back more powerful than before. Jekyll starts to change into Hyde without taking the potion. Hyde is gradually taking over and Jekyll is becoming more evil. In chapter 7 we see this happening. Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield are standing below the window where Mr. Jekyll is sitting. Suddenly they see something which shocks and scares them; froze the blood of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down, but that glimpse had been sufficient. This shows that Jekylls evil side is increasing with time and starting to control him. It also shows that Jekyll is becoming more dependant on the antidote to stop him becoming Hyde and to keep the evil in check, rather than before, when he was using it to isolate his evil side. Other characters always react with shock and horror to Mr. Hyde; this is because he is so repulsive looking and primitive. The image scared a lot of people and as Hyde is rude and unsociable no one likes him or is prepared to talk to him. I had taken a loathing to the man at first sight. His appearance and manner also provoked a bad reaction from people. He gave me one look, so ugly that it brought out the sweat on me like running. The haunting sense of unexpressed deformity with which the fugitive impresses his beholders. Jekyll is the only person who does not react with horror at Hyde. And yet when I looked upon that ugly idol in the glass, I was conscious of no repugnance, rather of a leap of welcome. This, too, was I. He realises that the man staring back at him from the mirror was himself in a different, more evil form. At the time Stevenson was writing the novella, people were very judgmental of those who looked different. This included people with all sorts of different disabilities, which are now widely accepted. Back then, these deformed people would have been shut away and often the public thought that only a deformed or evil soul could cause such deformities on the outside. These real, sadly common reactions from the late 1800s probably had a huge influence on the attitudes that Stevensons characters had towards Hyde in the book. The book seems to associate evil with animal quite frequently. This can be seen in the way the book describes how Hyde acts, but also in the way he speaks, often using the term hissed and croaked. In many religions, certain animals are associated with evil, like in the bible, where a snake was personified as Satan. This can be linked to the then recently published theory of evolution, which shocked many people. Darwins theory stated that animals evolved, rather than being created by god, which contradicted the heavily Christian Victorians beliefs. It seems ironic that Darwin was a man of the church, trying to prove religion right. It seems to me that Robert Louis Stevenson, while writing this novella, set out to make the repressed Victorian society think about its morals and beliefs, and, like many great writers, to challenge the public to think in a new way about themselves and the society they live in.

The Link Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimers Disease Essay example --

The Link Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease The individuals with Disabilities Education Act states that "all children with disabilities, including mental retardation, be educated to the maximum extent appropriate with students who are not disabled" (2). In an ideal world, society would have no problem following this decree, but the world is less than perfect and, therefore, stigmas are unfortunately attached to those suffering from mental disabilities, especially the mentally retarded. One has to question whether this group of people deserves these stigmas. Having grown up with two severely retarded cousins and, for that matter, a great uncle suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, I often wondered as to what was happening within their brains. It was evident that they were unable to respond to me in a normal fashion, but I challenged whether this was just a veneer. Being a spiritual person and believing the mind to be akin to 'the soul', I always felt it must be separate from the brain. A part of me hoped that their minds were sti ll cognizant even though their brain appeared to have a different physiology and they seemed to be unable to respond to me in a normal fashion. However, upon researching the link present between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease, I began to question whether my previous beliefs were indeed true. I think the questioning of this raises ethical issues about how we treat the mentally disabled and gives quite an argument for the brain = behavior debate. As more and more adults live longer, age-associated mental disease is becoming more and more of a concern. Present estimations state that soon nearly 10 million Americans will suffer from the disabling disease called Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's s... ... Risk of Down Syndome with Increasing Maternal and Paternal Age, Good Detailed Site http://www.lifesciences.napier.ac.uk/bws/courses/projects/downsynd/home.htm 9)Alzheimer's Disease and People with Mental Retardation, Good Detailed Site http://www.thearc.org/faqs/almr.html 10)Developmental Disabilities and Alzheimer's Disease, Good Detailed Site by The Arc http://www.thearc.org/misc/alzbk.html 11)Epidemiology of Alzheimer Disease in Mental Retardation, Periodicals Index http://www.aamr.org/index.shtml 12)Fact Sheet: Alzheimer's Disease, Family Caregiver Alliance http://www.caregiver.org/factsheets/diagnoses/alzheimers.html 13)Harvard Researchers Link Alzheimer's to Problem With Chromosome Segregation Presenilin Proteins are Found in Cell Structures Involved in Mitosis, Recent Press Release http://www.hms.harvard.edu/news/releases/897alzheimer.html

Death and Dying Essay

How the management of death has changed for patients and families in the last 25 years. Hospice: Care for the terminally ill. Modern Medicine: New medicines and medical technology Home Care: In home care given by love ones Nursing home: Home for the elderly who are ill and can’t take care of themselves Five stage of Emotions Denial: telling ourselves that this is not happing that everything will be ok. Rage and Anger: People become physically and verbally violent and blame God for what is going on. Bargaining: Loss attempt to start bargaining to regain all or part of the loss Depression: Become isolated tell themselves the loss is truly sad and awful and them even start using drugs Acceptance: Fully acknowledges the loss, accepting the loss, and have begun working on coping with the death. Living Will All so know as Advanced Directives is a written document that states your personal wishes regarding healthcare treatment in the event you’re unable to talk Power of Attorney is often a part of a person living will that identifies and designates your personal representative to make the medical decisions for you You also need to talk to your doctor to make sure they are aware that you have a living will and discuss the details of the documents with them. Good Death Being Comfortable: having access to any spiritual and or emotion support to know death is coming and how to handle it. Being in Control: being able to control what is happing control pain and other symptom having control over where the death will occur Sense of Closure: allows a person to die on their own terms, having time to say goodbye Family Care: Access to information and expertise when necessary Meet needs Late Adult Indentify: Assist with known burdens the clients is having by providing resources and opportunities to alleviate the problems Educate: ensure that patients and families as knowledgeable of what is going on Communication: is the key but be sensitive Respect: Not matter of the race, religion, or sexuality treat the patient with respect Assist: provided resources to help the family, stay active and social

Tattoos And Piercings Work Environments - 1417 Words

Tattoos and Piercings in Work Environments â€Å"According to a 2010 Pew Research report, about 23% of adults born between 1981 and 1991 have piercings other than their earlobe† (Pfeifer, Web). Also, in 2012, 2 in 10 adults in the United States reported to have at least one tattoo. That number has increased to 3 in 10 adults just last year in 2015 (Shannon-Missal, Web). The prevalence of tattoos and piercings have increased dramatically over the past few decades, especially in teens and young adults known as Generation Y. Although the main reason for getting a tattoo or piercing can vary from person to person, the change in appearance is a way of expressing individuality and to portray your self-image to the public. Some people are hesitant when deciding where to get their tattoo or piercing because of the impact it will have on their appearance and in the workplace. Discrimination against tattoos and piercings in the workplace does exist, especially in white-collar employment , and it can prevent someone from potential employment or even a promotion because tattoos and piercings are considered unprofessional (Foltz, 589). Tattoos and piercings should be acceptable in the workplace because they are a way for people to express themselves and people should not be judged on their appearance, but by the quality of their work. Growing up, everyone is told that they should express themselves, to be proud of who they are and what they stand for; tattoos and piercings are just anotherShow MoreRelatedHow Do Tattoos And Piercings Can Affect Our Work Environment?1923 Words   |  8 Pageslooking at clothing and its purpose and what else it can bring to the table. Along with accessories and how they play a role in our image. Focusing on eye glasses and what they communicate to one’s co-workers. Then looking at how tattoos and piercings can affect our work environment. Clothing Purposes and Functions Clothing has its own meaning in communication. We are being judged by our clothing every time we come in contact with someone. Human communication is accomplished by two ways, one third by wordsRead MoreTattoos and Body Piercings as and Art Form992 Words   |  4 PagesAshley Beth Logan Manuscript Speech D. Webb Speech 106 Tattoos and Body Piercings Good evening. I would like to start by asking how many of you have a tattoo or piercing other than your ears. Did you know that in most work environments, you are usually not even considered for employment if you’re tattoo or piercing is visible during the interview? I am one of the many people who believe tattoos and body piercings are a form of self expression. 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