ENG4U1 Novel Study Unit: Dual Nature or Split Personality in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Many religions use the concept of dual nature to explain the struggle within a person to choose between good and evil. In the Hebrew Bible, evil is personified as a force outside the person in the story of Adam and Eve. In another story, evil nature and good nature are personified as existing in two separate people, Cain and Abel, who struggle against each other. This is a story about a brother’s envy, as well as a story about the qualities of human nature.
After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they gave birth to their two eldest sons, Cain and Abel. Cain was the first human born. Cain plowed the Earth while Abel was a shepherd to lambs.
The story goes that God one day asked Cain and Abel to sacrifice something to him. It is said that Abel thought long and hard about what sacrifice would please God the most. He decided to sacrifice one of his precious lambs. Cain, on the other hand, thought about what meant the least to him and he sacrificed some fruit and grain. Without a doubt God preferred Abel's sacrifice.
This made Cain jealous of his younger brother and he murdered him. God came to look for Abel, and when he could not find him he asked Cain where he was. Cain replied: "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9)
When God found out what Cain had done, he punished him with a curse. He was no longer able to farm and he would have to wander for the rest of his life. Cain was afraid he would be harmed by people on the road, so God gave him a protective marking.
What does this story suggest about human nature in light of the fact that Cain was willing to kill his own brother? Explain thoughtfully.
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In your opinion, do you believe that human nature is essentially good, bad or is there a gray area that lies between the two? Why do you think this?
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