Hyde as an Effective Evil Representation Hyde, first published in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson, is undoubtedly still a famous novella today due to its depictions of evil and topics dealing with evil, such as morality. The story follows the quest of Dr. Henry Jekyll for spiritual peace after his friend Edward Hyde murders someone during a fit of rage. Although written over 100 years ago, many elements in Stevenson's story have timeless qualities that make it relevant even now. For example, the character of Hyde shows that not all evil people are physically deformed or disabled, which makes him a realistic representation of evil. Also, the fact that this novel has been adapted several times shows that it is still capable of bringing pleasure to readers worldwide. Hyde as a Symbolic Representation Evil is often used as a symbolic representation of anything the reader chooses. For example, Hyde can represent depression or anger that has no outlet. Or, he can be used to symbolize violence against women. Although there have been attempts to interpret his appearance in the story differently, such as seeing him as a metaphor for science, most readers understand him as a representation of pure evil. Jekyll as a Do-Gooder Heroine/Male Character Jekyll is a doctor who wants to find out more about evil so he can save others from committing murder.