Author’s note: I decided to write about whether it’s better to know the truth or stay in the dark because of Lanyon’s quick demise after he learned about Jekyll.
We all crave knowledge that we can’t have. This hunger to know everything about the world and what’s going on can lead to great discoveries, but in the case of Dr. Lanyon, this curiosity led to his demise. Like everybody else, Lanyon was greatly interested in Mr. Hyde, the mysterious man who had captivated London. However, unlike most others, Lanyon went far enough to try and learn Hyde’s dark secrets, essentially selling himself to the devil to try and learn what happened. However, the knowledge was too terrible for Lanyon, and he soon appeared as if his flesh had fallen away; he was visibly balder and older. The truth about Hyde was the direct cause of his downfall, and at the end of the chapter, Utterson is gripped with the same desire to learn more, but resists knowing that the knowledge is too terrible to know. The author is conveying the message that while the truth can be the light to illuminate our life and understanding of the world, sometimes it is better to be left in the dark, for the knowledge is not meant for us to know.
We all crave knowledge that we can’t have. This hunger to know everything about the world and what’s going on can lead to great discoveries, but in the case of Dr. Lanyon, this curiosity led to his demise. Like everybody else, Lanyon was greatly interested in Mr. Hyde, the mysterious man who had captivated London. However, unlike most others, Lanyon went far enough to try and learn Hyde’s dark secrets, essentially selling himself to the devil to try and learn what happened. However, the knowledge was too terrible for Lanyon, and he soon appeared as if his flesh had fallen away; he was visibly balder and older. The truth about Hyde was the direct cause of his downfall, and at the end of the chapter, Utterson is gripped with the same desire to learn more, but resists knowing that the knowledge is too terrible to know. The author is conveying the message that while the truth can be the light to illuminate our life and understanding of the world, sometimes it is better to be left in the dark, for the knowledge is not meant for us to know.
Greg, I really like how you keep digging down deeper into the true meaning of the story, and try to find the connection between light and truth. This was a great writing piece, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI feel that you have hit an interesting topic here of ultimate knowlegde, one that many people around the world are attempting to achieve no matter how impossible it may be. Your conviction towards what you believed was the real symbolism behind knowing Hyde's secrets were really showed. The only thing I might change would be the somewhat random quote describing Lanyon. Although it fits, it's uneeded. Overall, great job.
ReplyDelete*knowing what Hyde's secrets were, really showed.
DeleteI agree with Harrison. I like how you looked deeper into their unquenchable curiosity. Very well done.
ReplyDelete