The Divided Self and the Damaged Earth: Scientific Ambition, Moral Fragmentation, and Ecological Anxiety in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Abstract

The Anthropocene represents a significant crisis during which humanity’s quest for scientific advancement has culminated in environmental degradation, social alienation, and ethical disintegration. Although primarily a narrative concerning psychological and moral dilemmas, Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde serves as a profound allegory for these contemporary challenges. Through the dual existence of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Stevenson elucidates the perils of unchecked ambition, the suppression of moral responsibility, and the propensity for human innovation to devolve into destructive forces-parallels that resonate acutely with the ecological and social divides characteristic of the Anthropocene. This research paper reinterprets Stevenson’s work through the framework of Anthropocene Humanities, contending that the bifurcation of identity reflects humanity’s disconnection from the natural world and the resultant repercussions. The metamorphosis of Jekyll into Hyde is emblematic  of environmental exploitation disguised as progress, while the shadowy corners of the city symbolize the overlooked areas of ecological vulnerability. Drawing upon eco-critical theory, ethical philosophy, and historical accounts of scientific advancements during the industrial era, this study positions Stevenson’s text as an early cautionary tale against the alienation of self from the environment. The paper ultimately posits that The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde not only dramatizes the psychological costs associated with moral fragmentation but also anticipates the ecological anxieties prevalent in contemporary society, thereby advocating for a synthesis of scientific pursuits with ethical and environmental stewardship.