Classic Novels: Themes, Characters, and Symbolism

Key Literary Concepts: Short Notes

1. Duality of Human Nature in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson beautifully explores the idea that every human carries both good and evil within. Dr. Jekyll creates Mr. Hyde to experience freedom without guilt, separating his moral self from his darker desires. But once unleashed, Hyde grows stronger, overpowering Jekyll's control. The story reflects how suppressing our dark side only gives it more power, and that human nature is never purely one or the other—it's a constant inner conflict.

2. Symbolism of Venice in Death in Venice

Venice stands as a haunting symbol of beauty hiding decay. Its stunning scenery and rich culture reflect Aschenbach's admiration for youth and perfection. But underneath, the city is plagued by cholera, symbolizing hidden corruption. Just like Aschenbach's obsession with Tadzio, Venice is tempting yet toxic. The city mirrors his inner collapse—a place where desire blooms, and destruction follows close behind.

3. The Dream Farm in Of Mice and Men

George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm is more than just a goal—it's their escape from loneliness and powerlessness. It symbolizes hope, independence, and belonging in a harsh world. But the dream is crushed by harsh reality when Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife. The dream dies with him, reflecting the fragility of the American Dream for the poor and powerless during the Great Depression.

4. Gustav von Aschenbach: A Tragic Figure

Gustav von Aschenbach, a man who lived by discipline, logic, and order, is ultimately ruined by beauty. His obsession with Tadzio awakens long-suppressed desires, pulling him away from reason into fantasy. He stays in Venice despite the plague, consumed by passion. His slow decline and eventual death make him a tragic figure, falling not to fate but to his own emotional awakening and moral collapse.

5. George and Lennie's Friendship in Of Mice and Men

In a world full of loneliness, George and Lennie's friendship is a rare light. George is clever and protective; Lennie is innocent and loyal. They dream together, laugh together, and survive together. Their bond gives them purpose, unlike the other isolated men on the ranch. The story ends in heartbreak when George has to kill Lennie, an act of love and mercy. Their friendship was both their strength and their sorrow.

6. The Role of Mr. Utterson in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Mr. Utterson is the lens through which we discover the mystery. As a calm and rational lawyer, he represents Victorian morality and social order. Loyal to Jekyll, he investigates strange events with care and logic. His curiosity drives the plot forward, uncovering the horror behind Hyde. As chaos and darkness unfold, Utterson remains a symbol of human decency amidst moral decay.

In-Depth Literary Analysis

Good Versus Evil in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the eternal conflict between good and evil that exists within every human being. Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected scientist and gentleman, creates a potion that allows him to separate his darker instincts from his moral self. This results in the creation of Edward Hyde, a figure who is free from conscience and societal rules.

At first, Jekyll enjoys the freedom that Hyde brings him. He can act on forbidden desires without facing consequences. However, the evil side grows stronger, and soon Hyde begins to dominate. Jekyll realizes that he cannot control the darkness within him. This shows how evil, once unleashed, can overpower the good and lead to destruction.

The novella portrays Victorian society's obsession with reputation and moral uprightness. Jekyll symbolizes the public face, while Hyde is the hidden, animalistic self. Stevenson warns against repressing one's inner urges too strongly. Instead of achieving peace, Jekyll creates a monster he can't escape.

The duality is not just between Jekyll and Hyde—it exists within every character and, by extension, within all of us. The struggle between good and evil isn't external—it's internal, a daily battle of choices. Through powerful symbolism and gothic storytelling, Stevenson reminds us that denying our darker side gives it more power.

Ultimately, Jekyll's death is the tragic result of losing that inner balance. The novel suggests that both good and evil are natural parts of human identity, and trying to erase one completely leads to chaos.

Character Analysis: Gustav von Aschenbach

Gustav von Aschenbach, the protagonist of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice, is a celebrated German writer known for his disciplined life and strict moral values. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a suppressed longing for beauty, youth, and emotional freedom. His journey to Venice awakens desires he never allowed himself to feel, particularly when he becomes obsessed with the young boy Tadzio.

Aschenbach's obsession with Tadzio is both aesthetic and deeply emotional. Tadzio becomes a symbol of pure beauty, innocence, and youth—everything Aschenbach feels he has lost. But his admiration crosses into desire, showing a psychological collapse of a man who can no longer maintain the control that defined his life.

Venice itself is symbolic. It is a beautiful city, yet sick and decaying—just like Aschenbach's inner world. He chooses to stay in the city even after learning about a cholera outbreak, unable to leave Tadzio behind. This decision reflects how passion and obsession can cloud judgment.

Aschenbach's fall is tragic. He abandons reason and dignity, following the boy through the streets, losing himself entirely. In the end, he dies alone on the beach, watching Tadzio from afar. His death is symbolic of the final surrender to beauty and desire, and the complete loss of control.

Mann presents Aschenbach as a tragic figure whose downfall is caused not by external forces, but by the emotional and psychological forces he had suppressed for too long. The story is not just about a man falling in love—it's about the collapse of the self when faced with overwhelming passion.

Significance of the Title: Of Mice and Men

The title Of Mice and Men comes from a line in Robert Burns's poem: "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley," which means that no matter how carefully we plan, things often go wrong. This idea runs through the entire novel, as the characters' dreams constantly collide with harsh reality.

George and Lennie's dream of owning a piece of land and living "off the fatta the lan'" is their way of escaping loneliness, poverty, and the cruelty of the world. It gives them hope and a sense of control over their future. But like the mouse in the poem whose home is destroyed, their dream is fragile, crushed by forces they can't control.

Lennie's mental disability and physical strength make him vulnerable. He doesn't understand the consequences of his actions, and this leads to tragedy when he accidentally kills Curley's wife. With Lennie's death, their dream dies too—showing how the poor and powerless in society rarely get the happy endings they imagine.

Other characters like Candy and Crooks also latch onto this dream, even briefly believing it might come true. Their disappointment reflects the broken promises of the American Dream. The title reminds us that dreams, no matter how sweet, are often doomed by life's harsh realities.

In just a few words, the title captures the novel's central theme: the tragic distance between what people hope for and what actually happens.

Portrayal of Loneliness in Of Mice and Men

Loneliness is one of the most powerful themes in Of Mice and Men. Set during the Great Depression, the novel paints a picture of a world where people are constantly on the move, disconnected from family and friendship. Most of the characters are isolated, longing for human connection but finding little comfort in their harsh environment.

George and Lennie's friendship is unique because it goes against the norm. While most ranch workers are alone, they travel together, support each other, and share a dream. George often remarks that men like them are the loneliest people in the world, but they have each other. This relationship becomes a symbol of hope in a world full of despair.

Other characters suffer deeply from loneliness. Candy, the old swamper, is desperate for companionship after his dog is killed. Crooks, the Black stable hand, is isolated due to racism. He tells Lennie that a man goes crazy without someone to talk to. Even Curley's wife is lonely, trapped in a loveless marriage, seeking attention from the other men just to feel seen.

Steinbeck illustrates that loneliness is not merely a lack of people; it's a profound absence of understanding, empathy, and purpose. These characters are trapped in their roles, dreaming of connection but constantly disappointed.

In the end, George is ultimately left alone, having lost Lennie and their shared dream. His loneliness becomes permanent, and Steinbeck leaves us with a haunting truth: in a world ruled by survival, dreams and friendships often don't stand a chance.