
The Transforming Draught
Jekyll and Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Victorian Alcohol Debate
Thomas L. Reed(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 18. August 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
268 pages
978-0-7864-2648-5 (ISBN)
Description
Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is viewed as the classic allegory of man's duality--the good and evil embodied in every person. But could Jekyll's "transforming draught" have been alcohol? In the Victorian era, alcohol was the topic of national debate for decades and people endlessly deliberated its proper place in society. Shadowed all his life by the cloud of alcoholism, Stevenson well knew the good and evil of strong drink.
This book investigates Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an allegory of alcoholism--an interpretation that cultural change and the story's renown have perhaps obscured. The author examines patterns of language, plot, characterization and imagery to reveal how mind-altering drink figures as the story's subtext. Early chapters establish the story's literal references to strong drink and its metaphors regarding alcohol. The focus then shifts to drinking in Stevenson's life, the sociology of drink in Victorian Britain, and the portrayal of alcohol in literature, including Stevenson's other works. Possible real-life models for the Jekyll-Hyde character are explored. Subsequent chapters examine the history of Britain's temperance movement, scenes that arose from Stevenson's dreams, how the temperance movement and industrial development may have influenced the story, and the story's interpretation in Stevenson's time. An appendix further investigates the elements of Stevenson's language.
This book investigates Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an allegory of alcoholism--an interpretation that cultural change and the story's renown have perhaps obscured. The author examines patterns of language, plot, characterization and imagery to reveal how mind-altering drink figures as the story's subtext. Early chapters establish the story's literal references to strong drink and its metaphors regarding alcohol. The focus then shifts to drinking in Stevenson's life, the sociology of drink in Victorian Britain, and the portrayal of alcohol in literature, including Stevenson's other works. Possible real-life models for the Jekyll-Hyde character are explored. Subsequent chapters examine the history of Britain's temperance movement, scenes that arose from Stevenson's dreams, how the temperance movement and industrial development may have influenced the story, and the story's interpretation in Stevenson's time. An appendix further investigates the elements of Stevenson's language.
Reviews / Votes
"truly amazing...recommended"-Choice; "very thorough...one is convinced...extremely interesting...many fascinating details...well-chosen illustrations"-English Literature in Transition; "valuable"-Critical Mass.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
9 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
443 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-2648-5 (9780786426485)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
English professor Thomas L. Reed, Jr., lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. Jekyll the Addict
2. Alcohol in the Text: The Letter
3. Alcohol in the Text: The Spirit
4. RLS and the Drinking World
5. The Literary Contexts of Stevenson's Tale of Alcohol
6. "Self " and "The Other Fellow"
7. The Temperance Agenda
8. Dream Scenes: Neighborhoods of Nightmare
9. "Street Crime"
10. Jekyll and Hyde: Beginnings and Endings
11. Stevenson's "Allegory" and Its Reception
12. Conclusion: Finding the Balance
Appendix: The Language of the Times
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. Jekyll the Addict
2. Alcohol in the Text: The Letter
3. Alcohol in the Text: The Spirit
4. RLS and the Drinking World
5. The Literary Contexts of Stevenson's Tale of Alcohol
6. "Self " and "The Other Fellow"
7. The Temperance Agenda
8. Dream Scenes: Neighborhoods of Nightmare
9. "Street Crime"
10. Jekyll and Hyde: Beginnings and Endings
11. Stevenson's "Allegory" and Its Reception
12. Conclusion: Finding the Balance
Appendix: The Language of the Times
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index