Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. Set in Victorian London, it follows the respected lawyer Gabriel John Utterson as he becomes increasingly troubled by the sinister behaviour of a mysterious man named Edward Hyde and his disturbing connection to the honourable scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll. What begins as a legal puzzle soon turns into a chilling investigation of secrecy, violence, and moral decay hidden beneath a polished social surface.

Through Utterson’s inquiries, the reader learns of Jekyll’s scientific experiments and his strange determination to protect Hyde, despite Hyde’s growing reputation for cruelty and criminal acts. Encounters with Dr. Lanyon and other acquaintances reveal that something unnatural lies at the heart of Jekyll’s work, while Hyde’s presence becomes more frequent and more dangerous. The atmosphere of fog-shrouded streets and locked doors heightens the sense of menace and psychological tension.

As events unfold, the story explores the divided nature of human personality and the struggle between good and evil within a single soul. Stevenson blends Gothic horror with psychological realism, creating a powerful tale of identity, repression, and scientific ambition. Famous for its twist and moral depth, the novella remains a landmark of classic horror fiction and a defining work of Victorian literature.