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Frankenstein And The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde

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The purpose of this essay is not only to draw comparisons of the iniquity of the antagonists of two classic literary works – Dracula and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – but also to analyze and explain how these villains represent human temptations and the dark side of a person’s character. Throughout this essay each section will serve to explain what the villains represent and how it ties back to human nature. The Introduction will define evil and villainy as well as the purpose of both villains – Dracula and Hyde – and why this topic is relevant. The Time Period section will discuss what constitutes evil, how it has changed over time and draw comparison between modern villainy and that of the Victorian era with which the …show more content…

While in Stoker’s novel, the alluring Count Dracula spends the nights continuously feeding on the blood of the innocent, the villagers all the while living in fear. He sucks the life from young maidens, transforming them into his unholy minions. But how is evil significant? How does villainy pertain to society? How does the villainy in Stoker’s Dracula compare to that of Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This Extended Essay comparing the depravity in nature of the antagonists in these classic literary works will provide a better understanding of what constitutes ‘evil’ in society. Further analysis of the villains will reveal how the authors use them as representations of repressed human nature. My own fascination with the topic, as well as my rapport with gothic classic literature, led me to pursue this research topic. Time Period Both literary works were written during the Victorian era (1831-1901), a time of rigid conservatism, in which the English society was subject to specific rules and limitations. However, it is during the latter half of this period – after many advancements in biology, medicine, and psychology – that these works were actually written – Dracula (1897) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). They called into question the concept of evil and the true nature of man. For instance, Dracula directly addresses the highly

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