Comparison between Dorian Gray and Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde Free Essay Example, 2000 words

Moreover, there was not the same cynical commentary in Jekyll as there was in Dorian. Thus, the message of the two different novels is decidedly different Jekyll had more of a simple message, and there really were not any sub-themes that detracted from the overall message. Dorian was not only about good and evil, but also about cynicism and the idleness and debauchery of the upper class, and about hypocrisy. That said, Reed would state that Jekyll might have actually been a cautionary tale regarding the dangers of alcohol misuse, so this is another interpretation that might complicate the overall message (32). That said, Saposnik would argue that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was really a commentary about the hypocrisy of Victorian London, but its message about hypocrisy is undoubtedly more subtle than the same message in Dorian. This is because, as opposed to coming right out and stating that London society is hypocritical, as Dorian did, the message about hypocrisy is more symbolic. S aposnik states that Victorian London was teeming with a vice while concurrently responsive to religious persuasion (718). We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison between Dorian Gray and Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page If the story is read in this manner, one can argue that Stevenson had essentially the same message as Wilde, but just in more subtle packaging. This is another major difference between Dorian Gray and Dr. Jekyll. Basically, Dorian Gray became the way that he did because of the subversive influence of Lord Henry, not because of any inherent fascination of the dual nature of man.