Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde social and historical context

In the Victorian era, scientists were viewed with some superstition and their discoveries, in some cases, were seen as un-Godly. Charles Darwin's The Origins of the Species was published in 1859. This book became famous as it discussed the theory of evolution. Many people saw it as an attack on religion because the book made many of the Bible's teachings impossible. Therefore, many people thought scientists were untrustworthy and engaged in doing the 'devil's work.'

In the Victorian era, many people were religious and believed in the devil. Many believed that people harnessed the Devil's power when they committed evil acts and crimes.

Victorian literature shows this through the opposition of good and evil, reflecting the good and evil in people. Many texts from the Victorian period have this clear motif.

The pious nature of Victorian society meant that many people suppressed their desires and feelings. This resulted in many people questioning their 'goodness' as a human being due to the fact that religion condemned these 'evil' thoughts.

In the Victorian period, change was apparent due to the Industrial Revolution. Factories were being built and technology was advancing - this resulted in a shift from the 'natural' farming type of life to one filled with technology and industry. This change is presented in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde through Jekyll's experiment - his desire to change the natural course of his being through science.