Jekyll’s Choice
In 1886, the Scottish author, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a gothic novel called “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” I watched one of the movie versions as a child. But I never read the original story until decades later.
The film starred Spenser Tracy and tells the story of a noble, kind, good man named Dr. Henry Jekyll. He creates a serum to get rid of his repressed evil impulses. Instead, the serum changes him into an alter-ego, the demonic Mr. Hyde. Hyde has no virtues. He’s 100% evil. Drinking the serum a 2nd time changes Hyde back to Dr. Jekyll.
But soon Jekyll loses control.
The Terrible Price of Unleashing Edward Hyde
In the movie, the good doctor transforms suddenly into Hyde at odd times, without drinking the serum. 
And Jekyll doesn’t clearly remember all the evil acts he commits as Hyde. Eventually Hyde murders an older man, clubbing him to death with Jekyll’s cane.
His friend, Dr. Lanyon, recognizes the cane and when the police confront Dr. Jekyll in his laboratory, the stress causes him to revert to Hyde who becomes violent. As he dies, Hyde slowly turns back into the good man people had loved and respected.
It’s a good movie, with horror, suspense and tragedy mixed together.
But it’s not the 1886 story author Robert Louis Stevenson told.
Dr. Jekyll’s True Story
In the book, Jekyll enjoys becoming Hyde. Because he’s free to indulge his hidden vices without the danger of being recognized.
Think of it — I did not even exist! Let me but escape into my laboratory door, give me but a second or two to mix and swallow the draught that I had always standing ready; and whatever he had done, Edward Hyde would pass away like the stain of breath upon a mirror; and there in his stead, quietly at home, trimming the midnight lamp in his study, a man who could afford to laugh at suspicion, would be Henry Jekyll.
When I would come back from these excursions, I was often plunged into a kind of wonder at my vicarious depravity… Henry Jekyll stood at times aghast before the acts of Edward Hyde; but the situation was apart from ordinary laws, and insidiously relaxed the grasp of conscience. It was Hyde, after all, and Hyde alone, that was guilty.
Startling, isn’t it?
Henry Jekyll isn’t a good man of high moral character. That’s just his mask.
He couldn’t risk giving in to his sinful impulses because he’d damage his high social standing in the community. But once he creates the serum, he shows no remorse or compassion for Hyde’s unfortunate victims.
I imagine his evil twin sought out and terrorized the most venerable women in society. Prostitutes would have no one to protect them from such a evil monster.
As Hyde grows stronger, Jekyll grows weaker. Eventually, trapped in Hyde’s body, being sought for murdering an innocent old gentleman, and unable to change back, he writes a letter of confession to his old friend John Utterson and dies by drinking poison.
My Spiritual Point:
While on earth, Christians have a duel nature too, both righteous or corrupt. How we choose to live each day matters. Until we reach Heaven, we won’t be 100% pure and righteous. I still sin and so do you. But don’t make habit of it. Because if we do, we will stain our character and bring shame on the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior
Like a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart. (Proverbs 26:23 NOG)
These images came from Pixabay.com.
