For my final monthly blog, I chose a question from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde Socratic seminar. Question 20 asks, “What statements are made throughout
the novel, either directly or indirectly, about humanity and human nature?” In
the novel, Dr. Jekyll tried to purify himself, but instead, he separated the
evil in him, which made Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll had such a fascination with Mr.
Hyde, but Mr. Hyde was indifferent towards Dr. Jekyll. Since Jekyll vs Hyde
represented good vs evil, it is evident that the novel was showing how it is
human nature to find the bad choice the easier one, rather than doing the good
thing. Jekyll could have stopped experimenting with Hyde, but he chose not to.
He found pleasure in Hyde’s adventures, although they were not the best
choices. He hurt people, but Jekyll still chose to experiment. I believe that
this novel was an example of how it is in our human nature to want to choose
the bad side.
This can relate to our society because I do believe people
find the wrong choice the better one. If this was not true, there would be no
crimes. If someone wants money, they could either work really hard for it, or
simply steal it from another. It would probably be easier to steal the money,
but it is not right. Some people also find crimes and other morally wrong
choices entertaining and do it for the fun of it. Almost everyone has thought of taking the easy
way out and doing something morally wrong because it was easier, and it is in
our human nature to do so. But, our actual actions are what matter, and only
the strong can choose to always do the good thing. The bad choice may seem
easier, but I think the good choice will always have a better outcome. It may
be harder, but it is worth it in the end. Like the novel showed, it is in our
human nature to find the wrong choice easier and seek pleasure in them, but it
does not always have the outcome we really want in the end.
