Author’s Note: upon finishing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, one of my favorite aspects is the aspect that once Jekyll has made his first transfer, he does not hesitate to proceed over and over again due to the thrill of it all. It is very clear that his repetition plays an important role in the question of what as humans do we do when we are faced with a guilty pleasure.
Life is full of temptations, we all have evil in us that at times drives us to grasp such temptations, there is no denying it. And once a temptation is granted, we will do it again and then again and again, and each time it gets easier and easier. I think the best way to sum up our action as humans is with the old standard, if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to want a glass of milk. Although in this case we aren't talking about mice, no we are talking about Dr, Jekyll and human action in general and it's not about cookies and milk it's about good and evil. As humans, I believe that we all have evil in us and we are all tempted by this evil within us. It all goes back to when we were children and mom told as we couldn’t eat the cookie dough because it was bad for us, but whenever she said that, it made us want it even more; so what did we do, when she wasn’t looking we took a big spoonful of cookie dough and stuck it in our mouths. However, the real moral is the story is not that the forbidden is most desired, but instead it is that sin becomes easier each time we do it, much like each time we broke mom's rule of not eating cookie dough we thought less about what we were doing and eventually we didn’t care at all that we were breaking a rule. This is the exact case for Dr. Jekyll, the only difference is that we are talking about the continuous committing evil instead of eating cookie dough.
In Dr. Jekyll, we see a man who has been raised in the best of the best standards and has always have been expected to use his brilliance for good, however, as Dr. Jekyll says, "man is not truly one, but two" (104). It is his as well as many others that inside every good human is someone just as evil. He is a man who is bound by science yet he has an incongruous desire to act in evil yet he struggles with this desire for some time. Yet too often, good judgment is clouded by desire and temptation and the will to remain good slowly deteriorates. Dr. Jekyll's goodness does deteriorate and he finally subsides to evil, as "with a strong glow of courage, [he] drank off the potion" (106), that allowed his desire of transformation to another in order to embark in the forbidden journeys of his "evil side" (107). As hard as it may have been and as much courage that he may have need is irrelevant the fact is that he did it. And although it took him a great level of courage to conduct the experiment the first time around, as with everything else in life it became easier and easier yet as he did it over and over again all the while developing an incredulous view towards the evil of it all. Dr. Jekyll became so used to the process that, he "had become hitherto accustomed" (108) to the process and he had enjoyed his time in evil, that he had been "happier" (106). As time progressed he had become accustomed to and enjoyed this vicarious experience. Like some many other humans have done, Dr. Jekyll had thought that he would do something once and get rid of all that temptation yet to no surprise he did it again and then again and every time, the sin became more bearable to him. Dr. Jekyll gave himself a cookie and a glass of milk and look were that landed him…"the life of unhappy Henry Jekyll [brought] to an end" (124).
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Natural Want for Knowledge
Author's Note: Upon the advice of Mrs. Woods, I have decided to write about the natural want for knowledge and information this time around. Upon finishing this past Chapter, 9, it was intriguing to learn more of the events of the novel and furthermore, learning more of the natural want for information. Thus, I offer and analysis of the never ending natural want for knowledge.
As a reader, there is a never ending want to find the true meaning of a piece of literature and with good reason, but as a human being, an individual, a person, what is it that makes us want to know so much more than is really necessary about someone or something. Why would an intelligent being such as Dr. Lanyon want to know the deepest and darkest secrets of Henry Jekyll, of which are known to be the darkest aspects of the novel. Yet as with most everything else, human curiosity out ways simple logic head over heels.
Ensuing along his narrative, Dr. Lanyon meets a key point in the definition of good and evil in knowledge through his work to save the life of his old friend, Dr. Jekyll. Having the choice to learn of the truth known to be virtually evil that he need not know or to follow logic and allow the entirety of this evil and sinister occurrence makes the choice that any human would make. Despite having been warned that if told he " 'shall be blasted by a prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan' " (101), he proceeds in a pursuit of the truth justifying it as though having " 'gone too far in the way of inexplicable services to pause' " (101). Anyone of us would have made this same exact decision time and time again, even if the result was known in its entirety, because as humans we are hardwired to seek knowledge of such things. Even when logic tells us that something's are just meant to go unknown, as a human we never accept it. It is a natural human flaw that drives some to the limit. Why, we may never know, yet what is known it that once the prized knowledge is revealed it is a game of Russian Roulette to determine whether such knowledge is devastating. As for Dr. Lanyon, it is indeed, as upon the disclosure of the true identity of Mr. Hyde, he screams " 'O God!' again and again" (102). The result of acquiring information that ought not be acquired can be so terrible indeed. Yet as humans we never cease to push further and further never looking back, no matter the crime nor punishment.
As a reader, there is a never ending want to find the true meaning of a piece of literature and with good reason, but as a human being, an individual, a person, what is it that makes us want to know so much more than is really necessary about someone or something. Why would an intelligent being such as Dr. Lanyon want to know the deepest and darkest secrets of Henry Jekyll, of which are known to be the darkest aspects of the novel. Yet as with most everything else, human curiosity out ways simple logic head over heels.
Ensuing along his narrative, Dr. Lanyon meets a key point in the definition of good and evil in knowledge through his work to save the life of his old friend, Dr. Jekyll. Having the choice to learn of the truth known to be virtually evil that he need not know or to follow logic and allow the entirety of this evil and sinister occurrence makes the choice that any human would make. Despite having been warned that if told he " 'shall be blasted by a prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan' " (101), he proceeds in a pursuit of the truth justifying it as though having " 'gone too far in the way of inexplicable services to pause' " (101). Anyone of us would have made this same exact decision time and time again, even if the result was known in its entirety, because as humans we are hardwired to seek knowledge of such things. Even when logic tells us that something's are just meant to go unknown, as a human we never accept it. It is a natural human flaw that drives some to the limit. Why, we may never know, yet what is known it that once the prized knowledge is revealed it is a game of Russian Roulette to determine whether such knowledge is devastating. As for Dr. Lanyon, it is indeed, as upon the disclosure of the true identity of Mr. Hyde, he screams " 'O God!' again and again" (102). The result of acquiring information that ought not be acquired can be so terrible indeed. Yet as humans we never cease to push further and further never looking back, no matter the crime nor punishment.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dr. Jekyll’s Progression from Sinister to Evil
Author’s Note: Since the beginning of this novel, I have been greatly drawn into the level of sinister qualities that are driving many of the characters, and even more so the progression across the fine line of good or evil, furthermore, the increasing imagery of boundaries being drawn to separate those who have been indulged by the devil. Thus, I come to offer an analysis of the actions of Dr. Henry Jekyll in his progression on this journey of what is good and what is evil.
We all love a little evil and a little sinister in entertainment, it makes life a little more interesting and fun. But too often is the very fine line between something that is sinister yet good and that of pure and whole evil misinterpreted. Until now, I always associated them as one in the same but the truth is that they are in fact quite different. This difference is clearly represented by Dr. Henry Jekyll’s progression of sinister actions yet good to the wholly evil temperament that will inevitably lead not only to his demise but the demise of many others.
Upon my first encounter with Dr. Jekyll’s character during the youth of this engaging tale, I was be founded by his brilliant appeal and great intelligent and intellectual charisma. It seemed that a man that associates himself with those whom are “all intelligent, reputable men” (56), much like himself no doubt could be tainted by anything less than the most pure of intentions. Alas, with great power comes great responsibility and when one is tainted by the power just a tad more so than the responsibility, the result can be a breaching run across the moral line into the depths of evil. Many great men throughout history have been corrupted by their ability and power and Dr. Jekyll is no especially when it comes to his incredibly unordinary relation with the murder Mr. Hyde. While in trying to deny his evil actions and seek riddance of his relation to Mr. Hyde, as he promises to Mr. Utterson that he "will never set eyes on him again" (52). Repentance to his sins, no doubt was the impression that had been made in my mind, and with good reason. It would seem only natural that someone of Dr. Jekyll's great intellect and repertoire would seek immediate estrangement from a man of such evil despite the connection between them. I mean when someone commits and act as malicious as murder, there is no doubt that an action must be made against him. However, Dr. Jekyll having such a connection to Mr. Hyde once again instead of doing what is right, he does what is easy.
As the reading proceeds, Dr. Jekyll becomes very separated from the rest of his society claiming to be in an ill state, and thus refuses guests because it would be, "quite impossible" (60). However, upon further inquiry at Dr. Jekyll's residence, the proof that the good doctor is indeed no longer of good but instead of evil comes screaming into evidence. Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield had caught a glimpse of the man that Dr. Jekyll had sworn to never set eyes on again and "that glimpse had been sufficient" (61). The moment Dr, Jekyll broke his vow to never set eyes on Mr. Hyde again, the moment he allowed Mr. Hyde to cross the threshold into his residence, the moment that Dr. Jekyll began to live a lie was the moment that the progression from sinister but good came to a screaming entry into evil and now Satan's mark will forever lie on Dr. Jekyll. It is indeed a great transgression to lie to friends such as Mr. Utterson but it is a transgression more to allow the figure of the Devil himself to seek refuge in one's home. Dr. Jekyll who was overtaken by what was easy will no forever be doomed by a life at the hand of Satan.
We all love a little evil and a little sinister in entertainment, it makes life a little more interesting and fun. But too often is the very fine line between something that is sinister yet good and that of pure and whole evil misinterpreted. Until now, I always associated them as one in the same but the truth is that they are in fact quite different. This difference is clearly represented by Dr. Henry Jekyll’s progression of sinister actions yet good to the wholly evil temperament that will inevitably lead not only to his demise but the demise of many others.
Upon my first encounter with Dr. Jekyll’s character during the youth of this engaging tale, I was be founded by his brilliant appeal and great intelligent and intellectual charisma. It seemed that a man that associates himself with those whom are “all intelligent, reputable men” (56), much like himself no doubt could be tainted by anything less than the most pure of intentions. Alas, with great power comes great responsibility and when one is tainted by the power just a tad more so than the responsibility, the result can be a breaching run across the moral line into the depths of evil. Many great men throughout history have been corrupted by their ability and power and Dr. Jekyll is no especially when it comes to his incredibly unordinary relation with the murder Mr. Hyde. While in trying to deny his evil actions and seek riddance of his relation to Mr. Hyde, as he promises to Mr. Utterson that he "will never set eyes on him again" (52). Repentance to his sins, no doubt was the impression that had been made in my mind, and with good reason. It would seem only natural that someone of Dr. Jekyll's great intellect and repertoire would seek immediate estrangement from a man of such evil despite the connection between them. I mean when someone commits and act as malicious as murder, there is no doubt that an action must be made against him. However, Dr. Jekyll having such a connection to Mr. Hyde once again instead of doing what is right, he does what is easy.
As the reading proceeds, Dr. Jekyll becomes very separated from the rest of his society claiming to be in an ill state, and thus refuses guests because it would be, "quite impossible" (60). However, upon further inquiry at Dr. Jekyll's residence, the proof that the good doctor is indeed no longer of good but instead of evil comes screaming into evidence. Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield had caught a glimpse of the man that Dr. Jekyll had sworn to never set eyes on again and "that glimpse had been sufficient" (61). The moment Dr, Jekyll broke his vow to never set eyes on Mr. Hyde again, the moment he allowed Mr. Hyde to cross the threshold into his residence, the moment that Dr. Jekyll began to live a lie was the moment that the progression from sinister but good came to a screaming entry into evil and now Satan's mark will forever lie on Dr. Jekyll. It is indeed a great transgression to lie to friends such as Mr. Utterson but it is a transgression more to allow the figure of the Devil himself to seek refuge in one's home. Dr. Jekyll who was overtaken by what was easy will no forever be doomed by a life at the hand of Satan.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Motive of the Will
Author's Note: When reading chapter two of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I couldn't help but make a connection to the legality and lawyerly attributes that went along with the will -- it made me want to look closer at the reaction of Mr. Utterson and the decisions made by Dr. Jekyll in regards to the mysterious document. Alas, you have my analysis of the Motive of the Will. Enjoy.
What is a will? Is it recognition that one matter enough in another’s life to be listed in such a document or is it simply a monetary transaction between two parties granting one great benefit at another’s great loss, or better yet is it trust and free will being rewarded after time? One can only speculate as once they figure out that they have been written into a will, the answer is already six feet under. However when it comes to the last will and testament an answer lies in the hands of a third party, bound by the law to execute the will to its full extent.
Somewhere, a lawyer sits in an office reviewing every last detail on an eight and a half by fourteen page. As he sits he reconciles how that document came to be. Mr. Utterson, a character and lawyer in Robert Louis Stevenson’s, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, does just this but instead of letting it collect dust in his safe, he inquires further and furthermore to find the motive of the will, "[he] sat down with a clouded brow to study its contents" (45). Mr. Utterson clearly has no desire to execute this document when it becomes necessary for his friend has in his mind committed a disloyalty. Against every shred and whimper of lawyerly and friendly advice that Utterson had put forward, his dear friend Dr. Jekyll saw fit to disregard all of it causing Mr. Utterson to have, "refused to lend the least assistance in the making of it" (46). As a dear friend, Mr. Utterson has no choice to be offended and possibly insulted – he is a man of intelligence and intellect and a man of good and to be simply dismissed is absolutely unheard of. Dr. Jekyll obviously is conducting his will as an order of business, a monetary transaction between two parties. The motive of the will has been uncovered but Mr. Utterson is not satisfied, and with good reason, being a man of knowledge that he is, he has no choice but to address the head of the snake and so he goes to the good Dr. Jekyll in hopes to reveal the reason to the motive. However a distrust of such a degree is not to flee so quickly and it will pay its toll on their friendship in time.
What is a will? Is it recognition that one matter enough in another’s life to be listed in such a document or is it simply a monetary transaction between two parties granting one great benefit at another’s great loss, or better yet is it trust and free will being rewarded after time? One can only speculate as once they figure out that they have been written into a will, the answer is already six feet under. However when it comes to the last will and testament an answer lies in the hands of a third party, bound by the law to execute the will to its full extent.
Somewhere, a lawyer sits in an office reviewing every last detail on an eight and a half by fourteen page. As he sits he reconciles how that document came to be. Mr. Utterson, a character and lawyer in Robert Louis Stevenson’s, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, does just this but instead of letting it collect dust in his safe, he inquires further and furthermore to find the motive of the will, "[he] sat down with a clouded brow to study its contents" (45). Mr. Utterson clearly has no desire to execute this document when it becomes necessary for his friend has in his mind committed a disloyalty. Against every shred and whimper of lawyerly and friendly advice that Utterson had put forward, his dear friend Dr. Jekyll saw fit to disregard all of it causing Mr. Utterson to have, "refused to lend the least assistance in the making of it" (46). As a dear friend, Mr. Utterson has no choice to be offended and possibly insulted – he is a man of intelligence and intellect and a man of good and to be simply dismissed is absolutely unheard of. Dr. Jekyll obviously is conducting his will as an order of business, a monetary transaction between two parties. The motive of the will has been uncovered but Mr. Utterson is not satisfied, and with good reason, being a man of knowledge that he is, he has no choice but to address the head of the snake and so he goes to the good Dr. Jekyll in hopes to reveal the reason to the motive. However a distrust of such a degree is not to flee so quickly and it will pay its toll on their friendship in time.
Meeting the Governor
Typing away, shuffling from paper to paper, glancing at the clock...I was entering challenged to recall petitions against Governor Walker. There were eight of us in a small room laptops on our laps as the stack of papers continued to get higher and higher. While there were only eight of us trusted to actually enter the challenged into the computers for the lawyers to review, there was a good 200 more showing their support towards the governor going through packets upon packets flagging down fraudulent signatures. Our enthusiasm was through the roof as we knew that we were making a difference in making sure that justice was done -- while there may be a recall election, we were prepared to take the time to ensure that the opposition sees that we will not buckle but rise to the challenge. Consumed in our work we took little notice when Mrs. Walker entered the building and past our room but moments later we were taken by surprise when Ethan called into us, "Look who's coming in the door! Look! Look!"
I jumped up and run out to the entry way thinking to myself, "It can't be, no, the governor can't be here," oh but he was. Walking casually through the door jeans and tennis shoes. He stopped thanking each of us and shaking our hands, allowing those who wanted a picture, to take as many as we wanted with him before proceeding into the warehouse to address the 200 more volunteers. When he spoke, you knew he was a true leader, he stood tall and spoke with pride: pride of the State, pride for the people, and pride for us who have stood by his side. He has gone through a lot but he said it didn't matter as long as Wisconsin remains on the right track, as long as Wisconsin remains "Open for Business".
It was an honor to be able to meet a man of his great character and great leadership. I know how ever this turns out that our party and our state will have been better under his leadership than without and I am proud to say the I Stand with Governor Walker!
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