Critique
The main point of the story was that everybody has an inner struggle that they have to deal with. I liked this blunt statement of what is an obvious truth, but is something that many people like to act as if they do not go through anyway. I felt that I myself, along with everyone, have a Mr. Hyde inside of us that sometimes gets out when poor decisions are made, and like with Jekyll after Hyde commits an unspeakable crime, regret should be felt. Like with Jekyll again though, it is not what the evil part of us wants to do that defines us, it should be what the good part of us does to subdue and control that evil from getting out and causing harm that defines us.
I did not like how the book was written. I am not a fan of British English, and I find it hard to follow and understand, and at times during the novel the style of writing became frustrating to myself. However, the lesson that people need to do the best that they can to be good even when the "evil" part of you is tempting, is effectively portrayed through Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Everybody can take something from this lesson. Everybody is tempted by something that they know they should not be a part of sometime during their life, and like Jekyll even if they give in, they need to do the best that they can to right the ship in some way.
I also enjoyed how Utterson spent the entire novel trying to figure out what was going on with his best frind Jekyll. As the reader if not already known, it becomes obvious quite early that Jekyll and Hyde aret the same person, but to me it was somewhat comical that Utterson could not grasp that idea. Even though it may not have been meant to be a comical theme, Utterson's ignorance to what is obvious to the the reader brought a ray of sunshine into what is a dark novel otherwise.
I disliked how the story ended with two letters. I would have liked to see a reaction from Utterson as he was reading the two letters from Lanyon and Jekyll, instead of just the account from those two gentlemen's point of view. It does leave some interpretation up to the reader on how Utterson would react to the grim truth behind Jekyll's wall of lies. It seems to me that he would have been forgiving and admiring of his friend's effort to control and in the end eliminate Edward Hyde. Stevenson used a great lesson that pain and suffering cannot be eliminated or brushed aside, but must be dealt with. This was easy to see, and is a great lesson for everyone.