To compare and contrast is to note what is similar and different about two or more things. Th
e Hound of the Baskervilles and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde conveys both similarities and differences throughout the course of the story. The Hound of the Baskervilles is a story about the curse set in Baskervilles back in the 1700s. Sherlock and Watson use their detective skills to try and solve the mystery. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a story about the strange appearance of Mr. Hyde who seems to cause trouble to everyone. Mr. Hyde seems to be able to appear and disappear really easily. When we compare two things, we are noting the similarities between them. When we contrast something, we are finding the differences. Items that seem similar to each other may be really different in reality. Items can also be different in the slightest ways. The stories are examples that show us how different two things can be and at the same time how similar it can be.
Human nature is an important aspect mentioned in both stories. In both stories, the author emphasizes the meaning of human nature. This is demonstrated through the characters actions. Throughout the story, the character’s nature leads them to either good or bad. Stapleton from The Hound of the Baskervilles seems dumb and light-headed. However, deep down in his heart, he is greedy and plots to kill Sir Henry in order to get the money. Greediness is part of his human nature which later leads to trouble. Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde also has a bad human nature. Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde is divided into two people, later on resulting in the death of both people. Dr. Jekyll is a kind man who seems very polite and nice. However, his other form, Mr. Hyde is nasty and evil. Due to his bad human nature as Mr. Hyde, the evil self takes over the good self. This shows that Mr. Hyde has no self control over himself and lets the bad side take over him. Human nature, which includes many personalities shared by others, is an obvious similarity that is portrayed throughout the story.
The plot and characters of the two stories is what differs them from each other. The plot contributes to the story and therefore is an important part of the story. In the Hound of the Baskervilles, someone eventually attempts to murder someone else. However, in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Hyde ends up killing himself/Jekyll. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, it is self versus others. However, in Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde’s case, it’s self versus self. The number of characters involved in the story is also different. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, there are more characters and more back story. However, in Dr. In Jekyll's case, there are only three main characters and it’s a more straightforward case. From both mysteries/cases, I can see the growth/development/change in the characters. The small differences contribute to how the story is played out.
The themes portrayed in the stories are similar and somewhat related. Themes in one story can be found similar to a theme in another story. Themes that are shown in these two stories include the gothic background and the theme of supernatural versus natural. In both stories, these are obvious similarities. Sherlock from The Hound of the Baskervilles has to decide whether to believe in the supernatural facts like everyone else or to base it on real life. Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde’s case is also based on supernatural and sci-fi. In real life, there is no potion that turns you from one person to another. The two stories share these two similar themes which are used in different ways. While in The Hound of the Baskervilles it may be used on the general theme, in Dr. Jekyll's case it may be used on small details. Both authors also added a gothic touch into the stories. The alley mentioned in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's story is gothic. The hallway in Sherlock’s case is also gothic. The two stories share similar themes which are contributed to the stories in different ways.
In both stories featured, we can learn and intake important lessons. Lessons on human nature and the importance of self control is mentioned in both stories. Human nature is a characteristic one possesses including thinking, acting, and feeling in which we have naturally. Good human nature prevents us from making mistakes that can risk our lives or others. From The Hound of the Baskervilles and the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde we also explore the difference in the plot and characters which reveals the final answer to both mysteries. In these two stories, we also explore gothic literature which is literature that is dark and fancy. In this case, it also includes the supernatural and a little bit of sci-fi. Though The Hound of the Baskervilles and the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde yields differences and similarities, we are still able to learn important lessons from it.
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