The Fears Of The Victorinan Era English Literature Essay

The Fears Of The Victorinan Era position Literature EssayThe complaisant speculation of devolvement was developed as a result of Charles Darwins possible action of evolution, it was believed if something female genital organ pullulate, it hindquarters also devolve (Byron, 2000 134). The nonion of evolution meant that the gay function was changeable and could evolve or even degenerate or devolve. The future of adult male existence was now apart(p) and go steadymed uncertain. straitlaceds because of this unknown future held an unpromising outlook assuming that the human race was in a state of decay. Theories musical accompaniment up the idea of human degeneration came from various scientific fields, much(prenominal) as anatomy, physiology and psychology. The prospect of the human race returning to an ape exchangeable state concerned the puritanic public and we can see the anxieties of the era present in tight-laced gothic literature where the characters often transf orm into monstrous or primitive ape worry beings. A Companion to the Victorian Novel states that the Degeneration theory proposed that the human species was suffering from an intellectual, physical and moral decline, and becoming increasingly enfeebled through everything from syphilis, insanity, epilepsy, feminism, radicalism, crime and immigration to the stresses of modern civilization. In charting this steady decline toward racial suicide, degeneration both influenced and was influenced by a number of branches of scientific and mental theory(2005). Scientists from different areas contri stilled to this notion of there being men who were genetically determined to be degenerate and deviate ( Botting,1996137). The gothic novels discussed in this essay demonstrate the anxieties surrounding these theories.The deplorable conditions at the oddment of the 19th nose candy in urban environments such as the City of London provided perfect conditions for writing literature of terror. T he unnamed brass of Dr. Jeykll and Mr Hyde is one such book that pro enclothes from the circumstances and conditions at the time of its publishing. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Stevenson plays upon this innate attention of degeneration this is because Stevenson gave fictional form to an e integrate crisis of the late-nineteenth century the perception that the race itself-importance was bearing to degenerative tendencies that threatened the very fabric of society (Dryden, 2003). Dryden asserts that The caution of the beast within was the late nineteenth centurys fear of itself. Degeneracy could lead to atavism, which must be purged in order that the race evolves beyond its beast instincts (Dryden, 2003)The fear of degeneration is certainly located in the character of Edward Hyde. If we examine Hyde further he seems to fit perfectly into the mould of the unlawful character reference of degenerate categorized and identified by Lombroso and Galton. Laure nce Talairach-Vielmas states in his polish of Tracing the Criminal The Rise of Scientific Criminology in Britain, 1860-1918 that Lombrosos theory, as expounded in Criminal Man, was grounded upon the premises that 70% of criminals were biologically programmed to commit crimes. Lombroso regarded his 219 criminal portraits as evidence of an atavistic criminal type and foregrounded the relevance of anatomical reference or physiognomical features, such as the prominence of the jaw, the harshness of the look, or the abundance of hair. Lombroso saw atavism as the primary biological cause of criminal behaviour and paid little attention to socio-economic factors til now he gra multiplely included congenital illnesses and forms of dgnrescence in his criminal type, increasingly merging wickedness, insanity and epilepsy, as underlined in his Crime Its Causes and Remedies (1899). (Talairach-Vielmas,2007) Luomo Deliquente was published in 1875 which contained theories physically characterisin g the features of the criminal type. Lombrosso strongly guess that the physical features of a person could indicate whether a person was a criminal. The Character of Edward Hyde has these inherit attributes of criminal rot. These qualities can be seen not only through the horrendous and extraordinarily violent acts of crime but his physiognomy. Hyde seems to be a literal and precise characterisation of what Lombroso determined to be a criminal in his theory. Linda Dryden assets in The Modern gothic and literary doubles Stevenson, Wilde and Wells For Lombroseo, the criminal was physically abnormal, like Hyde, whose coming into court suggests to Enfield a strong feeling of deformity and the resemblance to primitive races is echoed in Hydes troglodytic appearance. (Dryden, 2003).Hyde is constantly described in a detestable nature with such words as ape-like, savage and dwarfish. Stephen Arata observes that Jekyll and Hyde articulates in Gothic fictions magnify tones late-Victorian anxieties concerning degeneration, devolution, and criminal man (Arata, 1995233). When Dr. Jekyll transforms into Hyde he therefore is degenerating to a get off form, this is highlighted and shown threw frequent comparisons to primitive forms of existence. Stephen Arata goes on to assert that Stevensons setoff readers could easily discern the lineaments of Cesare Lombrosos atavistic criminal. The describing words seem to flawlessly harmonize with Lombrosos description of what he label the criminal type. The Victorian reader would certainly have been able to see the comparisons between Hyde and the Criminal type and Arata goes on to further state that Stevensons middle- anatomy readers would have had as little trouble deciphering the features of the abnormal and misbegot Hyde, his eubstance an imprint of deformity and decay, as Stevensons middle- category characters do (Arata, 1995233).The character of Edward Hyde in addition is intensely disliked by all on first acquaintance. People seem to have this intriguing hatred to Hyde, he beholds this repugnant nature. The most intriguing point is that no one can actually particle the exact root of Hydes unpleasantness. Richard Enfield articulates, I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why . . . he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldnt throttle the point, while Lanyon elaborates, there was something abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature that now approach me something seizing, surprising, and revolting (Stevenson73). Utterson holds the same opinion and reports the same characteristics, he declares that Hyde was pale and dwarfish he gave an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation(Stevenson15). Uttersons subsequent connection to this uncanny aura, detestable nature and indescribability in relation to Hydes appearance shows Hyde as an exemplar of Lombroseo and Galton theories of criminal atavism. Hydes repulsive and vile appearance is ins tinctively associated with delinquency and criminality. Hyde seems to radiate this evil, repugnant aura, sight who come into contact with him seem to adopt this instant loathing to him. Utterson illiterates this aura of repulsiveness in the chase extract the radiance of a foul soul transpires through, and transfigures its clay content (Stevenson 15). Hyde comes across as ill-shapen yet he lacks the distinct physical features of an inherent deformity. Utterson finds describing Edward Hydes deformity and evil aura meticulously hard, he states that hard all these points were against but not all these together could explain the hitherto unknown disgust, loathing, and fear with which Mr. Utterson regarded him(Stevenson15-16). The specific qualities and features that account for his horrid appearance of deformity seem to remain unknown and evade comprehension. The Victorians held this fear of the unknown and Hyde certainly embodies the uncanny which was a concept and theory developed b y Sigmund Freud. The uncanny is where something can be familiar yet foreign at the same time leading to uneasiness.The other indicant of Hydes criminal degeneracy is an obvious one it is his atavistic modes of conduct. The climax of the novel is the murder of Sir Danvers Carew in such a ferociously violent nature by Hyde. The crime is depicted in a horrendous nature, in the following extract it is told that Mr. Hyde broke out of all bounds, and clubbed to the earth. And next moment, with apelike fury, he was trampling his victim under foot, hailing down a storm of blows, under which the bones were audibly shattered and the body jumped upon the roadway (Stevenson, p27). Hydes repulsive appearance and volatile actions show that Stevenson has played on what Pick ascertains as the Victorian fears and anxieties of urban degeneration.The plot of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde can be compared to that of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Both novels parcel out a characteristic goth ic plot where there is this degeneration from higher to lower state. The novels expose the degeneration of the respectable middle class to a more primitive and coarse state. The middle class at the time witnessed the traditional values and family structures under great pressure as Britain observed a liberalisation of moral, aesthetic and sexual codes associated with fin de sicle decadence. This in turn is echoed and depicted in the literature of the time. The Victorian Gothic depicted members of the middle classes as the sweet victims of corruption and decay.For instance Dr Jekyll in the strange end transforms into this primitive form after taking a concoction while Dorian Gray similarity degenerates to a lower form of existence. The moral degeneration of Dorian Gray is shown through the portraits gradual decay, it is give tongue to that the face painted on the canvas could grow bestial, sodden, and unclean (Wilde 238). The further Dorian corrupts the more bestial the picture becomes it is the most magical of mirrors, (Wilde 227). In Late Victorian Gothic Tales by Robert Luckhurst it is commented that The picture that Dorian Gray hides in his house is not only a metaphor of moral corruption, but is a precise record of physical degenerative decay. (Luckhurst, 2000)The visible changes that show the corruption of Dorians soul draw on Victorian fears of human degeneration and cultural decay But here was a visible attribute of the degradation of sin. Here was an ever-present sign of the ruin men brought upon their souls. (Wilde 78). However Dorians own appearance is unaffected and therefore his atavistic nature could not be deciphered threw physiognomy according to Victorian theory which in turn played on Victorian fears.Dorian Grays submersion in the Victorian underworld of sexual liberation, criminality and opium is portrayed in a similar nature to Edward Hydes. Wilde fuses the imagery of the upper class and lower class by having the allegedly respectabl e Dorian visit the poor and deprived districts of London. He remembered wandering through dimly-lit streets with gaunt black-shadowed archways and evil-looking houses. Women with hoarse voices and harsh laughter had called after him. Drunkards had reeled by cursing, and chattering to themselves like monstrous apes. He had seen grotesque children huddled upon doorsteps, and had heard shrieks and oaths from gloomy courts (Wilde 114 ). In the previous extract the working classes are depicted as ape like beings and therefore Dorians involvement with this sphere highlights Dorian as primitive. Lord Henry asserts that crime belongs exclusively to the lower orders. I should fancy that crime was to them what art is to us, patently a method of procuring extraordinary sensations (Wilde 152). This previous extract not only shows the duality of Dorians nature as both a criminal and a respectable middle-class gentleman but it also illustrates the criminality of not only the lower classes. At t his time characteristics of the criminal type were associated in the late-Victorian mind with the lower class, but Jekyll and Hyde and Dorian Gray both challenge that idea. For instance Stephen Arata asserts about Jekyll and Hyde that While his impulsiveness and savagery, his violent temper, and his appearance all mark Hyde as lower class and atavistic, his vices are clearly those of a monied gentleman. (Arata, 1995) Mans dual nature is a prevalent theme in Stevensons and Wildes masterpieces. This idea of people having a divided self was equally used in the Gothic novels and was a product of theorys such as the theory of social repression. This theory believed that the restricting moral codes of the bourgeoisie produced the divided and repressing lifestyles of the middle-classes, respectable by day and pleasure-seeking by night (Botting,1996 136).Dorian can be noted as digressing from the higher class to the lower class sphere. Joseph Bristow remarks that Dorian wears a fine aristoc ratic face but possesses what may be referred to as a working-class (debased, gross, indecent) body, as he moves across and between different echelons of society (Bristow,1992 60). Dorians character is much like that of Jekyll/Hyde, both are divided between upper and lower classes and good and evil. The strange case and Dorian Gray both demonstrate the vulnerability of the middle class to degeneration. Linda Dryden states in The Modern Gothic and literary Doubles thatThe susceptibility of the upper class to moral decay was the theme of Degeneration (Dryden 2003). Theories of the time did not just focus on the lower class for instance Nordau took pains to insist that the degenerate community consists chiefly of rich educated people who, with too much time and means at their disposal, succumb to decadence and depravity (Arata 1996). The Victorian Gothic novel certainly depicted members of the middle classes as the new victims of corruption and decay (Byron, 2000 137). Clare Clarke il literates that Both Edward Hyde, and indeed Dorian Gray, then, are figures that embody a bourgeois readerships welt fears not only about the atavistic and marauding poor but also of the decadent and unlawful upper classes. (Clarke, 2005)Both the novels touched upon in this essay draw their power from fears and anxieties in Britain at the end of the 19th century in regards to the degeneration discourse. Problems inbuilt in human nature were believed to result in the regression to primitive forms and split personalities. Dorians corruption and decay must have been particularly alarming and distressing to the Victorian public because of his respectable middle class status, amongst the fact his physiognomy lacked the inherent signs of degeneracy and decay. Mr Hyde on the other hands appearance and uncanny nature give away his atavistic modes of conduct and his degeneracy although still alarming. This Victorian fear of degeneracy can be seen in both novels mainly focussing on the immo ral higher classes and there degenerative tendencies. New theories caused this unease and tension in Victorian minds about the stability of human nature. The fact the Victorian era was that of much change, industrialization and scientific developing just helped build uncertainty about the future of the human race. Crime rates were high, overpopulation in cities was paramount and poverty was a huge problem just adding to theories surrounding decay and degeneracy. The mark of the era can be seen in the novels discussed toying with the fears and anxieties of the time.