An overview of a novella whose characters are part of the lexicon, after the jump:
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One of my favorite childhood books was Treasure Island, by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. I followed the adventures of young Jim Hawkins and can recall the book’s last line: where the parrot Captain Flint squawks, “Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!”
Yet a scant few years later, I had difficulty getting through Stevenson’s famous novella — and for anyone who ever had that difficulty in childhood with a book (or movie), give it another try … you may find it captivating in a way you could not appreciate before. (I found that to be the case in watching the film A Man for All Seasons as an adult, versus when I was a fourteen year-old).
It was also the case with this work — and due to it long having passed into public domain, you can read Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at these links: a PDF version, or a text version — or if pressed for time, a synopsis at this link. I am not a literary person, but wanted to highlight interesting aspects .. and its legacy.
R.L. Stevenson (1850-1894)One side note is the novella’s title — first, the word “case”: as it is told from the vantage point of the attorney Gabriel Utterson, eager to investigate the strange relationship between the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll and the deformed friend of his named Edward Hyde. And secondly, because in nearly all printings of the past decades, publishers append the definite article at the beginning of the title — hence, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. … no doubt, due to the awkwardness of the original title in the minds of modern readers (which some speculate was Stevenson’s intent, all along).
Originally, not “THE Strange Case”Stevenson had frequently used good-vs-evil in his works, and he reached the heights in this work. He was often cryptic; saying that Dr. Jekyll was driven to create this potion due to “unstated vices” that he felt would lose the doctor his station in life … but which could be indulged in by this different character (and thus sparing Dr. Jekyll from detection, as well as shame). Obviously, things go awry (as readers know) but Stevenson had Jekyll use phrases such as “I saw Hyde in the mirror” … yet referring to himself.
Although the book was written and published in England by a Scotsman, it was first adapted for the stage and performed … in the USA a year later in 1887. The English-born actor Richard Mansfield had obtained the theatrical rights to the story and prevailed upon the American writer Thomas Sullivan (who had worked in London from 1870-73) to write the adaptation … and Mansfield starred in the premiere in Boston on May 9, 1887 (one hundred and thirty years ago).
Thomas Mansfield as Jekyll and HydeSullivan made several changes to the original words (unsure if it would transfer neatly to the stage). He simplified some of the cryptic language (for clarity), made the contrast between Jekyll and Hyde much stronger and introduced more women to the cast, most notably adding a fiancée for Dr. Jekyll: Agnes, the daughter of the member of Parliament named Sir Danvers Carew (and a client of attorney Utterson). This was done in the belief that the audience (knowing the ending already) needed other characters to maintain some sense of drama.
And for over a century, Sullivan’s adaptation has been the template for future versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (which is usually how any renditions of the work are titled since, unless it is the even shorter Jekyll and Hyde). These include:
→ Several film versions (many silent ones) before the 1931 sound version (that won an Oscar for Frederic March) plus a 1941 version starring Spencer Tracy.
→ Other stage productions … including a 1997 musical (with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, well-known for his collaborations with the late Anthony Newley).
→ On television… a made-for-TV production, plus a British TV series …. as well as the Bugs Bunny cartoon Hyde and Hare from 1955 (where Bugs pronounces the sheet music on a piano as “My-noot Waltz by Chop-inn”).
→ Plus music (songs by The Damned and Judas Priest) and video games.
Perhaps as a result of the adaptation by Sullivan (and even more changes made later by others) — some writers believe it reinforces the notion of two separate people (rather than two sides of the same person). The writer Steven Padnick laments this, saying that there actually is no Mr. Hyde (only a Dr. Jekyll) and adds:
Obviously, this rant is one hundred years too late to change the popular perception of this classic of horror. To most people, Jekyll and Hyde is the story of two completely separate personalities, one good and one evil, that share a body and are at war with each other, and that’s not going to change.
That said, I think (Stevenson’s) original is a much more complicated take on the nature of evil, society, shame, and repression than any that have followed it, and I’d love to see a version that really explored the appeal of Hyde to Jekyll.
The Australian-born documentary producer Vivian McGrath has a book about leaving an abusive relationship and earlier this year expressed this in somewhat different terms: “Dr Jekyll is Mr Hyde. There are no two sides to abusive partners. He was Mr Hyde (at times wearing a Dr Jekyll mask).”
With all of this: if in conversation or writing one uses the phrase Jekyll and Hyde … no one needs an explanation. It is quite often used by sportswriters, describing a team’s performance if they look spectacular one day and hideous the next with any sort of frequency. A novella with a legacy that is matched by few others.
And in much the same way with Treasure Island — re-reading this story has imprinted its last line (as the suicide note of Henry Jekyll is being read) in my memory … (if not quite verbatim):
Here then, as I lay down the pen and proceed to seal up my confession: I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.
Let’s close with …. well, what else? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was a 1968 single release by The Who and it was written/sung by their bassist, the late John Entwistle (who wrote the band’s more macabre and dark songs). Allegorically referencing the novella, it was written about … the band’s drummer Keith Moon (who died young at only age 32). His drinking was notorious, as you’ll see in the lyrics below …. part of the price the band paid to have had such a star drummer.
Someone is spending my money for me The money I earn I never see In all things I do he interferes All I know is trouble .. as soon as he appears When I drink my potion my character changes My whole mind and body rearranges This strange transformation takes place in me Instead of myself … everybody can see Whenever you're with me: make sure it's still me I've got to the stage … I can't tell which I'll be The lovable fellow who'll buy you a drink Then when he's drunk: he'll change in a wink
x xYouTube VideoNow, on to Top Comments:
From alx9090:
In the front-page-story about not becoming euphoric over the victory by Doug Jones— this comment by RationalSouthCarolina was an unexpected laugh in a serious diary. Well played.From noweasels :
In my own diary about the five-year anniversary of the mass shootings at Sandy Hook — the comments in my annual remembrance were raw and heartbreaking. This comment from joynow ripped my heart in half.Highlighted by JoanMar:
In the front-page story that included the video of the fallen faces at Roy Moore headquarters— I say “Amen” to this comment by maninthemiddle.And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by IsraelHand about the dramatic departure from the White House by Omarosa— just how dramatic, depending upon whom you believe — ChitownKev begins the frivolity by noting the response by CNN analyst Angela Rye (which was followed by an observation by anastasia p more in frustration) …... and finally we get to the video that DRo posted … of the “sendoff” that ABC host Robin Roberts gave to Omarosa.And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
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