The transforming draught : Jekyll and Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Victorian alcohol debate /
Reed, Thomas L.
Jefferson, N.C. ; London : McFarland,
c2006.
"This book investigates Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an allegory of alcoholism--an interpretation that cultural change and the story's renown have perhaps obscured. The author examines patterns of language, plot, characterization and imagery to reveal how mind-altering drink figures as the story's subtext. An appendix further investigates the elements of Stevenson's language"--Provided by publisher.
"This book investigates Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an allegory of alcoholism--an interpretation that cultural change and the story's renown have perhaps obscured. The author examines patterns of language, plot, characterization and imagery to reveal how mind-altering drink figures as the story's subtext. An appendix further investigates the elements of Stevenson's language"--Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-249) and index.
Jekyll the addict -- Alcohol in the text: the letter -- Alcohol in the text: the spirit -- RLS and the drinking world -- The literary contexts of Stevenson's tale of alcohol -- "Self" and "the other fellow" -- The temperance agenda -- Dream scenes: neighborhoods of nightmare -- "Street crime" -- Jekyll and Hyde: beginnings and endings -- Stevenson's "allegory" and its reception -- Conclusion: finding the balance -- Appendix: the language of the times.
Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894.
Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894
Horror tales, Scottish
Alcoholism in literature.
Symbolism in literature.
Multiple personality in literature.
Split self in literature.