The
past unit has revolved around good vs evil. In multiple discussions, we have
debated the characteristics or traits required to be considered evil. Can
people be innately evil? Or does every person have both a good side and bad
side as seen in Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde? The novel portrays the idea that humans have two sides to
themselves: good and evil. Although he was unsuccessful within his studies, Dr.
Jekyll tried to separate the two sides of humans. Hyde represents the idea that
the evil side of man is the superior side since he only has the evil side and
no good part. Hyde is evil from birth, and his evil characteristics are
reflected through his physical appearance. Society rejects Hyde as he does not suppress his evil nature and therefore
does not fit into society. The author, Stevenson, is presenting the issue that all
human have an evil side to them, but this side can be either trumped or
enhanced by society. The duality of nature is effected by societal factors, but
whether positively or negatively varies.
I
believe that no one is born completely evil, but are influenced by our own
society to be considered “evil or good”. In agreement with humans are born as a
blank slate. Through experience and societal factors, people have
"evil" moments. There I would very few people I would considered evil: however, my list includes people like Hitler or
Osama Bin Laden. My personal definition of evil stems from the actions of
repeatedly taking another human’s basic rights away (ex- mass killings). Humans
are not perfect and often make mistakes. These mistakes do not define us; we
are not evil because of that small lie or copying someone's homework. Jekyll’s
theory that “man is not truly one, but two” is one that I can agree with due to
the examples I see within society. We all have the figurative symbols of the “good
angel vs the bad angel” on our shoulders. Each person or group will have the
definition of "evil," but each person has both good and evil traits
within them that are cultivated through societal experiences.
