The term abject, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as several meanings: “sunk to or existing in a low state or condition; very bad or severe; cast down in spirit; expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit”. It may also be a human reaction of horror, despair, or disgust. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, “abject” is used as a term to describe a severe repulsion.
There are two phrases in Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde where the term “abject” is used:
“But the words were hardly uttered, before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below” (Stevenson, 1886).
While Stevenson doesn’t say what exactly Utterson saw at the window, we assume that Dr. Jekyll is beginning to form into Mr. Hyde, and therefore the two men are horrified and disgusted, up to the point where they are frozen.
“But his love of me is wonderful; I go further: I, who sicken and freeze at the mere thought of him, when I recall the abjection and passion of this attachment, and when I know how he fears my power to cut him off by suicide, I find it in my heart to pity him” (Stevenson, 1886).
In this phrase, the term “abjection” is used to show that Dr. Jekyll is purely disgusted by Mr. Hyde’s powerful attachment to himself. While this repulsion and horror is present, Dr. Jekyll still pities his second ego.
Citations:
“Abject.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abject.
Publishing, Balberry. “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Grades 9–1) York Notes.” Chapter Seven: Incident at the Window The Language of Horror Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Grades 9–1), York Notes, www.yorknotes.com/gcse/english-literature/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-2017/study/plot-and-action/00080400_chapter-seven-incident-at-the-window.
Stevenson, Robert L. “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson.” The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson : chapter10, ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/s/stevenson/robert_louis/s848dj/chapter10.html.
