The essay will be divided into two parts: the creation and control of the doppelganger and character traits, appearance and the aspect of morality. In the course of this essay, the creation of both doppelgangers as a result of a scientific experiment will be subject of discussion. Furthermore, the transformation from Dr. Bruce Banner and Dr. Henry Jekyll into their counterparts and their control or lack of over switching characters will be inspected more closely in the first part. Subsequently, the similarities and differences of Hyde’s and the Hulk’s character such as their unpredictability, (in)human physical appearance and character traits and how they conceive and are affected by morality will be compared and discussed in the second section of the essay. Finally, there will be a short conclusion to summarize the main points discussed in this essay.
Table of Contents
1. THE CREATION AND CONTROL OF THE DOPPELGANGER
2. CHARACTER TRAITS, APPEARANCE AND ASPECT OF MORALITY
3. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores how Stan Lee’s comic book character "The Incredible Hulk" functions as a modern, more human, and less monstrous adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Mr. Edward Hyde. The central research question examines how the mechanisms of creation, the degree of control over the "doppelganger," and the character's relationship to morality distinguish the Hulk as a "monster-hero" compared to the purely destructive nature of Hyde.
- Comparison of the scientific origins of both doppelgangers (accidental vs. intentional creation).
- Analysis of the protagonists' ability to control or influence their monstrous transformations.
- Examination of physical appearance and the portrayal of "Otherness."
- Discussion on moral alignment, instincts, and the potential for heroic actions.
Excerpt from the Book
THE CREATION AND CONTROL OF THE DOPPELGANGER
Both Dr. Bruce Banner and Dr. Henry Jekyll are scientists in their field of profession whereas Hyde and the Hulk are artificially created by the scientists. The creations embody either the result or the consequence of a scientific experiment, one being a success and one being a failure. To get a better overview of the creation of the Hulk, a short summary of the original plot is necessary. Dr. Banner experiments with gamma rays to develop a bomb by order of the U.S. government (cf. Lee and Kirby, “Issue 1” 4). As he and his laboratory partner Igor commence a test phase, Banner notices a teenager entering the test area and in the process of saving him, Banner himself gets exposed to a large amount of gamma rays as the “g-bomb” is launched. Later, the scientist wakes up and seems to be unharmed. As the sun sets, a strong radiation can be measured in Banner’s surroundings and he transforms into a monster later to be known by the name “the Hulk”. It is a very large, strong and destructive creature. He changes back to his original self by sunrise (cf. Lenig 310f). Hyde, however, was a lucid creation by Dr. Jekyll. He was not the consequence of an accident, but an intentional result of a consciously performed experiment (cf. Oates 604). Because Jekyll had always felt a duality between good and evil insight his personality, he takes it upon himself to find a potion which allows him to split the two and transform “his body into that of his other self”, going by the name Mr. Edward Hyde (Halberstam 54).
Summary of Chapters
1. THE CREATION AND CONTROL OF THE DOPPELGANGER: This chapter analyzes the scientific origins of the Hulk and Hyde, highlighting the difference between Banner's accidental transformation and Jekyll's intentional experiment, while also discussing the protagonists' evolving control over their alter-egos.
2. CHARACTER TRAITS, APPEARANCE AND ASPECT OF MORALITY: This section investigates how the Hulk’s physical monstrosity and instinctual nature are balanced by his capacity for heroism and moral agency, contrasting this with Hyde's egoistic and purely destructive character.
3. CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, asserting that by altering the nature of the creator's intent and the character's relationship with society, Stan Lee successfully evolved the "monstrous doppelganger" into a more human, sympathetic hero.
Keywords
Doppelganger, Mr. Hyde, The Hulk, Stan Lee, Robert Louis Stevenson, Monster, Scientific Experiment, Transformation, Morality, Heroism, Monstrosity, Otherness, Literary Adaptation, Comic Book Studies, Duality
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic essay?
The essay explores the transformation of the "monstrous doppelganger" archetype from 19th-century literature into 20th-century pop culture, specifically comparing Stevenson’s Mr. Hyde with Stan Lee’s Incredible Hulk.
Which characters are central to this comparative study?
The central characters compared are Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde and Dr. Bruce Banner/The Hulk.
What is the core argument regarding the Hulk’s humanity?
The author argues that while the Hulk appears physically more monstrous than Hyde, he acts more humanly because his power is eventually channeled toward protecting society, whereas Hyde represents purely egoistic, destructive, and morally absent behavior.
What scientific methods define the creation of these characters?
Jekyll creates Hyde through an intentional, self-experimented potion to separate his duality, whereas the Hulk is the result of an accidental exposure to gamma radiation during a government-ordered experiment.
How is the concept of control addressed in the text?
The text highlights that Jekyll loses control over Hyde as the novella progresses, while Banner slowly gains or influences control over his transformations into the Hulk throughout the early comic issues.
What key literary and secondary sources are utilized?
The essay uses Stevenson's original novella and various Marvel comic issues as primary material, supported by academic analysis from critics like Judith Halberstam and Erica McCrystal.
How does the author explain the shift in the Hulk’s skin color?
The author notes that while the Hulk’s physical appearance was initially chosen to avoid ethnic associations, the color was later changed to green simply to simplify the illustration process for the colorists.
Why does the author classify the Hulk as a "monster-hero"?
The Hulk is labeled a "monster-hero" because he possesses a "degenerated morality" that is ultimately used to do good and protect the innocent, differentiating him from the purely evil persona of Hyde.
- Quote paper
- Sophie Hardt (Author), 2018, The doppelganger motive in fantastic literature. A comparison of "The Incredible Hulk" and "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/931130
