The concept of duality is present in the the novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, through the main character Dr. Jekyll. Duality is a popular “Victorian” theme as well as the idea of secret lives. Dr. Jekyll shares some similar qualities with the astrological sign Gemini, particularly the concept of duality. The astrological sign, gemini, is typically associated with dual personalities, being two faced, and twins. Dr. Jekyll’s character embodies the two faced stereotype; the good and friendly Dr. Jekyll and the unrestrained and violent Mr. Hyde. This dichotomy reflects the twin-like nature of the Gemini sign as well as the idea of secret lives or duality in Victorian literature. Dr. Jekyll was able to navigate different aspects of himself and separate his good and bad qualities through use of a potion. Dr. Jekyll’s experiment and the manipulation of human nature to separate the good and bad qualities into different personas, reflects his internal struggles. Dr. Jekyll is constantly at battle with his morals and his dark desires, so he toys with potions and successfully separates his darker inclinations behind a masked persona, Mr. Hyde. Although not physically two different people, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are viewed very differently by society. Dr. Jekyll is respected in society and because of this he holds high expectations for himself which is why he indulges in a potion that allows him to transform into Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is able to maintain a respectable reputation through the secret transformation of his darker alter ego, Mr. Hyde. Of course, life isn’t perfect and everything begins to backfire as Dr. Jekyll loses control over the transformations into Mr. Hyde. The loss of control highlights how unrealistic it is to live two lives and how difficult it is to carry secrets. The separation of the respectable Dr. Jekyll from the malicious Mr. Hyde resonates with the Victorian era, especially the constraints of Victorian society.
I agree in the argument that the Victorian Era standards, specifically the idea that upper class people were to be near perfect beings, creates that pressure and intense narrative which is impossible to follow. I think it is interesting to see how Jekyll and Hyde separate themselves, because in my opinion they are two different people, but of the same body. I really like the inclusion of the Gemini sign, as it puts it into a different perspective.
I very much enjoyed your connection of astrological signs to the duality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s something I wouldn’t have thought of, and brings a different perspective into the mix (which is always beneficial in order to create new opinions and open channels of thought). A connection I see to another poem we read is Goblim Market. Lizzie’s strength (in standing firm against the goblins) contrasted with Laura’s weakness (in giving into the goblins) gives similar vibes to the pristine reputation of Dr. Jekyll and the sinister actions of Mr. Hyde.
It is very interesting to bring astrology into Jekyll and Hyde, and you were right to choose Gemini over any other sign, with it literally symbolizing duality. It brings such a modern, almost more human approach to these characters by labeling them with something that wasn’t typical for people in that era to practice/have much knowledge of, but that is widespread in our society nowadays.