The grotesque mode of writing has a long history and continues to exist in the 20th and 21st century. Yet, the concept of the grotesque hasn’t been a popular subject in literary studies for a long time. This changed in the second half of the last century when literary scholars started to agree upon the significance and benefit of the grotesque for literary studies. Some of the groundbreaking studies in the 20th century were those of Wolfgang Kayser (1957), Mikhail M. Bakhtin (1965) and Philip J. Thomson (1972). Consequently, the grotesque became an accepted and frequently used theory in literary criticism. Yet, studying the concept of the grotesque implies facing certain theoretical difficulties. Definitions and descriptions of the grotesque may differ and there is still no consensus about what the grotesque really is.
One reason for the difficulty in talking about the grotesque lies in the fact that scholars often defined the grotesque by referring to its use in different literary periods. However, what exactly is understood as the “grotesque” and how the grotesque is used as an aesthetic in a specific time is always dependent on the respective sociocultural circumstances. It is a term that is consistently redefined in (literary) history. Thus, it is advisable to narrow down a discussion of the grotesque to a distinct literary period. The German literary critic Christian W. Thomsen argues that in particular Gothic literature serves as a very rich source for an analysis of the grotesque aesthetic. He suggests that particularly this literary genre should be approached from the perspective of the grotesque. The study at hand follows his suggestion and focuses on one of the most prominent examples of late Victorian Gothic literature, namely The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical Background
- 2.1. The General Literary Concepts of the Grotesque
- 2.1.1. Themes and Functions
- 2.1.2. The Grotesque Body
- 2.2. The Grotesque in Gothic Fiction of the 19th Century
- 3. The Grotesque in Robert L. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- 3.1. Grotesque Themes
- 3.2. The Grotesque Body
- 3.3. Gothic Peculiarities of the Grotesque
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to analyze the grotesque aesthetic in Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, using established theoretical frameworks. It seeks to enhance understanding of both the novel and the theory of the grotesque by demonstrating the interplay between general and genre-specific applications of the concept.
- The multifaceted nature of the grotesque and its lack of a singular definition.
- The role of disharmony, conflict, and paradoxical emotions in creating the grotesque effect.
- The significance of the grotesque body and its symbolic representation.
- The manifestation of grotesque elements within 19th-century Gothic fiction.
- The application of grotesque theory to literary analysis.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the significance of the grotesque in literary studies, highlighting its resurgence in the latter half of the 20th century and the ongoing debate surrounding its definition. It acknowledges the challenges in defining the grotesque due to its evolving nature and context-dependent interpretation. The chapter then focuses its scope on Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a prime example of the grotesque within late Victorian Gothic literature, arguing that the novel effectively illustrates both overarching and genre-specific aspects of the grotesque aesthetic. The study's twofold objective is presented: to illuminate the novel through the lens of the grotesque and vice versa.
2. Theoretical Background: This chapter explores the complexities of defining the grotesque, emphasizing the lack of a universally accepted definition. It adopts an eclectic approach, gathering various scholarly perspectives on the grotesque to build a foundation for the analysis of Stevenson's novel. Recognizing the importance of sociocultural context, the chapter divides its discussion into two sections: general concepts of the grotesque and its specific manifestation in 19th-century Gothic fiction. This structure lays the groundwork for a nuanced understanding of the grotesque's application in the subsequent analysis.
3. The Grotesque in Robert L. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: This chapter delves into a comprehensive analysis of Stevenson's novel through the lens of the grotesque. It explores the various ways in which the novel incorporates grotesque themes, examines the representation of the grotesque body, and analyzes the specific Gothic elements that contribute to the overall grotesque effect. The chapter likely synthesizes the findings of the subchapters to present a holistic understanding of how the grotesque shapes the narrative, characters, and overall atmosphere of Stevenson's work.
Keywords
Grotesque, Gothic fiction, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, literary theory, literary criticism, disharmony, grotesque body, 19th-century literature, abnormality, paradox, sociocultural context.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the Grotesque in Robert Louis Stevenson's *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*
What is the overall purpose of this academic study?
This study analyzes the grotesque aesthetic in Robert Louis Stevenson's *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*, using established theoretical frameworks. It aims to enhance understanding of both the novel and the theory of the grotesque by demonstrating the interplay between general and genre-specific applications of the concept.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
The study explores the multifaceted nature of the grotesque and its lack of a singular definition; the role of disharmony, conflict, and paradoxical emotions in creating the grotesque effect; the significance of the grotesque body and its symbolic representation; the manifestation of grotesque elements within 19th-century Gothic fiction; and the application of grotesque theory to literary analysis.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes an introduction, a chapter on the theoretical background of the grotesque (divided into general literary concepts and the grotesque in 19th-century Gothic fiction), a chapter dedicated to the analysis of the grotesque in *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* (covering themes, the grotesque body, and Gothic peculiarities), a conclusion, and a list of works cited.
How does the study define and approach the concept of the grotesque?
The study acknowledges the challenges in defining the grotesque due to its evolving nature and context-dependent interpretation. It adopts an eclectic approach, gathering various scholarly perspectives to build a foundation for analysis. The study distinguishes between general concepts of the grotesque and its specific manifestation in 19th-century Gothic fiction.
What is the focus of the chapter on *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*?
This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of Stevenson's novel through the lens of the grotesque. It explores grotesque themes within the novel, examines the representation of the grotesque body, and analyzes the specific Gothic elements contributing to the overall grotesque effect. It aims to present a holistic understanding of how the grotesque shapes the narrative, characters, and atmosphere.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the significance of the grotesque and the study's twofold objective: to illuminate the novel through the lens of the grotesque and vice versa. The theoretical background chapter explores the complexities of defining the grotesque and provides a foundation for the analysis. The chapter on *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* offers a comprehensive analysis of the novel's grotesque elements.
What keywords are associated with this study?
Keywords include: Grotesque, Gothic fiction, Robert Louis Stevenson, *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*, literary theory, literary criticism, disharmony, grotesque body, 19th-century literature, abnormality, paradox, and sociocultural context.
- Citar trabajo
- Hans Niehues (Autor), 2014, The Grotesque in Robert Louis Stevenson’s "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/323798
