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 certain words in the novel is extremely apt(p) to a homoerotic reading of the text. In some Victorian circles (and well-nigh certainly not in others), certain words had very graphic homosexual connotations.The word homosexual seems to have come into the English wording around 1869, introduced by a Hungarian named Benkert but not largely used by the British until the 1880s. Yet, according to Theo Aronson, there were other words used at that time to identify the love amidst the aforesaid(prenominal) gender. Homogenic love, similisexualism, and Uranism were apparently among the more common references to homosexuality. Within the novel, however, the word homosexual is neer 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 have Victorian homosexual connotations.During their head togeth er, Utterson and Enfield come across the home of Edward Hyde. After relating his story closely Hyde, Enfield refers to the score as Black Mail House (8).When asked if he ever inquired about the man who lived therein, Enfield replies, No sir, I make it a rule of mine the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask (9). twain of these references to Hydes home are more direct references to Hyde himself, made by a man who, at least publicly, must acknowledge the distinction between himself and the man who lives in Soho. Poole similarly makes a reference to Hydes homosexuality indeed you must know as well as the rest of us that there was something queer about that gentleman - something that gave a man a turn. . . (57). During the 19th coke, of course, homosexuality was acknowledged by heterosexuals (particularly of the upper classes) as an active activity among the lower classes - an activity that thrived in Londons own East End. Those who were perspective to be homosexuals were often blackmailed. With the Labouchere Amendment in 1885, homosexuals faced a greater menace of exposure through blackmail. In fact, the threat of exposure as a sodomite is the basis of more than half of the prosecutions throughout the eighteenth century (Jekyll & Hyde, par. 8). Other Victorian writers, like Oscar Wilde, faced this threat, which often damaged their reputations if the map ever made it to a court. Enfields reference to Queer Street also denotes a homosexual connotation.