Homosexuality in Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde :: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essays

References to Homosexuality in Stevensons Jekl and HydeStevensons choice of indisputable words in the novel is extremely pertinent to a homoerotic reading of the text. In some Victorian circles (and most certainly not in others), certain words had very explicit homosexual connotations.The word homosexual seems to give way come into the English language around 1869, introduced by a Magyar named Benkert but not generally used by the British until the 1880s. Yet, accord to Theo Aronson, there were other words used at that time to come across the love between the same gender. Homogenic love, similisexualism, and Uranism were apparently among the more common pens to homosexuality. inside the novel, however, the word homosexual is never used. If it were, perhaps, then such a homoerotic interpretation as this would be redundant. There are, however, certain, rather ambiguous, words that Stevenson uses that cause Victorian homosexual connotations.During their walk together, Utterson an d Enfield come across the home of Edward Hyde. later relating his story about Hyde, Enfield refers to the place as Black Mail support (8).When asked if he ever inquired about the man who lived therein, Enfield replies, No sir, I ingest it a rule of mine the more it looks like Queer Street, the less(prenominal) I ask (9).Both of these references to Hydes home are more institutionalize references to Hyde himself, made by a man who, at least publicly, essential acknowledge the distinction between himself and the man who lives in Soho. Poole also makes a reference to Hydes homosexuality Then you must know as easily as the rest of us that there was something queer about that man - something that gave a man a turn. . . (57). During the 19th century, of course, homosexuality was acknowledged by heterosexuals (particularly of the upper classes) as an existing activity among the lower classes - an activity that thrived in Londons own East End. Those who were thought to be homosexual s were often blackmailed. With the Labouchere Amendment in 1885, homosexuals approach a greater menace of exposure through blackmail. In fact, the threat of exposure as a sodomite is the basis of more than fractional of the prosecutions throughout the eighteenth century (Jekyll & Hyde, par. 8). Other Victorian writers, like Oscar Wilde, set about this threat, which often damaged their reputations if the affair ever made it to a court. Enfields reference to Queer Street also denotes a homosexual connotation.