Darwins theory and Jekyll & Hyde

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Darwin’s Theory

Darwin’s theory of evolution is that all living beings have originated from primitive creatures and have evolved over time, “descent with modification”
His book, ‘On the Origin of the Species’, was heavily based on his survey expeditions around the world on the HMS Beagle (1831-1836)
His voyage gave him access to hundreds of specimens from similar-looking species, which aided him in his thesis on the theory of evolution through natural selection
Darwin’s reasoning and mechanism for evolution is natural selection: where organisms with the more favourable traits in survival and reproduction over time.
In his book, ‘The Descent of Man’ (1871), Darwin concluded that humankind descended from a “hairy tail quadruped”, probably
He believes his thesis, evolution of all organisms through natural selection (including humans from homosapiens), is deemed more logical than believing works of God which are only scripted in the Bible with no scientific explanation.

Effect on Victorian Readers

Religion was a very prominent and fundamental concept that was relied on and applied in Victorians’ daily lives.
Victorians, in particular, believed they are much more superior than other organisms, and by doing so they have looked down upon primitive creatures and the like.
For Victorians, the theory of evolution became a very much hated subject as the thought of being the same “wavelength” as apes and the like completely went against what they’ve been taught as soon as they’re born, through the bible.
Victorians believed, as stated in the bible, that they have been “shaped and created in the image of God” so a theory going against this belief with a scientific basis has completely affected and changed how some Victorian readers think.

How it shaped the book

The ‘Theory of Evolution’ is a reference shown through the concept of the characters Jekyll & Hyde, especially Hyde.
Jekyll stands as the respectable gentleman of great status, knowledge and a blessed upbringing. This shapes Jekyll into the ‘perfected image’ in which Victorians portray themselves.
Hyde is shown as this ‘troglodytic’, ‘ape-like’ figure who’s deemed to transcend from the Satan himself. This shapes Hyde as the character in which Victorians despise and chastise the most
The connection Stevenson suggests through the characterisation of these two men is that the type of character that Victorians despise and reject the most is actually more relevant and closer to their actual selves than first perceived.
Stevenson also implies the connection with Hyde’s detestable demeanour is due to the same fact, where Hyde’s connection with distant evolutionary inheritance is disagreeable amongst Victorians today.

Effect on Modern readers

For modern readers, Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’ is more likely to be a more understandable and agreeable subject as it is taught in education today.
Although Darwin’s theory still only stands as a theory, and different religious basis’ go against this thesis, modern readers will react to this development in the book less shocked or perturbed in comparison to Victorian readers.
For some readers, the concept of Jekyll and Hyde being directly linked with their ancestral origin and id, ego, superego personality (linked with Freud) might actually cause them to accept or side with the scientific belief today of humanity’s origins.
There is a drastic difference between the reactions of Victorian readers and Modern readers, as readers were more reliant on the Bible then, where a considerable percentage is reliant of the scientific and factual concepts today.