In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson expresses the concept of the duality of man. Using Gothic literature, he depicts the idea of ​​the split nature of man. Stevenson demonstrates through the character of Henry Jekyll the duality of human nature and the constant battle of good and evil within each individual. In Victorian society, maintaining a good reputation is of utmost importance (Perkins 207). For example, Dr. Henry Jekyll always strives to please society to maintain his high social status (209). He continually gives of his time to his friends, his church, and various charities (208). As most individuals do, Jekyll changes his personality to suit the situation he finds himself in (Saposnik 88). As the novel progresses, Jekyll realizes: "Every day, and on both sides of my intelligence, moral and intellectual, I thus gradually drew nearer to this truth, by the partial discovery of which I had been condemned… which the man is not really. one, but really two…” (Stevenson 68). Jekyll's realization of his possession of multiple personalities gives him the idea that there might be a way to separate his two sides (Oates 210; Saposnik 93). In an effort to eliminate evil from his community life, Jekyll initially appears to have good intentions; however, morality becomes a temptation (Perkins 208). The doctor quickly turns to his scientific work to create a way to completely isolate his illness. His desire to create a concoction to split his personality causes him to forget his loyal friends, who begin to think that the Jekyll has gone crazy (Stevenson 35). When Jekyll finally concocts the potion to separate his good and evil, this power becomes a temptation catalyzing the growth of evil within him (Perkins 208; Stevenson 73).I...... middle of paper...... of the duality of man. Throughout the novel, Stevenson uses his character Jekyll to represent the good side of man and uses Hyde to represent the invisible evil that everyone is capable of. Since both sides of man, good and evil, are fused, there is no way to successfully destroy either side, without destroying the preferred one. Works Cited Oates, Carol Joyce. "Critical." Novels for students. Ed. Elizabeth Thomason. Flight. 11. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 210-212. Print.Perkins, Wendy. "Critical." Novels for students. Ed. Elizabeth Thomason. Flight. 11. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 207-210. Print.Thomason, Elizabeth, ed. Novels for students. Flight. 11. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Print. Saposnik, Irving S. Robert Louis Stevenson. Boston: Twayne, 1974. Print. Stevenson, Robert Louis. The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. London: Harper, 2010. Print.