A Comparison of Vistor Frankenstein and Henry Jekyll Essay

A Comparison of Vistor Frankenstein and Henry Jekyll Mary Shelleys Frankenstein and Robert Louis Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two horrific tales of science gone terribly wrong. Shelley?s novel eloquently tells the story of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a living monster out of decomposed body parts, while Stevenson?s novel describes the account of one, Henry Jekyll, who creates a potion to bring out the pure evil side to himself. Although the two scientists differ in their initial response and action to their creations, there are strong similarities between their raging curiosity to surpass human limitation, as well as their lack of responsibility concerning their actions. These similarities raise an†¦show more content†¦(Stevenson 107). Here, Henry Jekyll displays his awe and wonder of his new discovery. He feels a sense of power and overwhelming wickedness. From the quotation, it seems appropriate to conjecture that Dr. Jekyll was enthusiastic about testing out his ?new creation,? as if he were a child and it a toy. Here, is another difference between the two doctors. Dr. Frankenstein (after realizing what he has done) halts all of his experiments and does away with his laboratory-anything to get his mind of his terrible creation. He travels around, always watching his back expecting his creature to be there. Dr. Frankenstein has many qualities of the classic Byronic hero; a character that shows romanticized sorrow and pity for himself. ? . . . I am a blasted tree,? he says, ?the bolt has entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon cease to be-a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others and intolerable to myself? (Shelley 153). In this quotation, he shows romanticized self-pity and remorse for what he has created. Victor calls himself a ?miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity.? By this he feels his life is over; he can no long face the world a decent man. Dr. Jekyll, on the other hand, like a child, is thrilled with his new discovery and wishes to tamper and