The following are reviews by COHS students of “The Strange Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Genre: Gothic Horror

Pages: 224

Reviewer: Gavin G.

The book follows a lawyer named Mr. Utterson, as he tries to figure out the mystery that surrounds one of his best friends Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is a troubled scientist that hates the fact that he has to hide secrets from his most beloved friends and family. He eventually concocts a potion and is then turned into the embodiment of what he most hates about himself, a man named Mr. Hyde. As Mr. Utterson begins to discover the strange similarities between the two seemingly individual people, Dr. Jekyll begins to increase the rate at which he takes the potion, and eventually Dr. Jekyll is able to induce his Mr. Hyde state without taking the potion. The book ends with Mr. Utterson having knowledge of Dr. Jekyll’s condition and Mr. Hyde still being on the loose.

I really enjoyed this book, even though the dated language that was used made it hard to follow. I enjoyed the dual personalities of Dr. Jekyll, because it always managed to turn the book upside down and gave you a new perspective on the things that occurred in it. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was very enticing.

1. Stevenson’s purpose for writing this book was to show that all humans no matter who they are have the capability to be either good or evil.

2. The theme of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is that every person has two sides that make up their own individual personality.

3. The theme and thesis are developed by the split personality that Dr. Jekyll has. By using two characters in one, Stevenson chose to develop the characters in any way that was beneficial to where the story was heading.

4. The book shows that good and evil truly lies in all of us, even though we don’t realize it. raise and what stance does it take in addressing and solving the issue?