DR. JEKYLL, MR. HYDE

WE DISCUSS THE PLACE OF ALCOHOL IN CIVILIZED SOCIETY FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF BOTH DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. BECAUSE THE VENEER OF CIVILITY SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AT ALL COSTS IN A SUCCESSFUL NATION, IT IS NECESSARY FOR CITIZENS TO MENTALLY REPRESS AND PHYSICALLY NOT ACT UPON, UNACCEPTABLE PREJUDICES AND TENDENCIES. WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE THEM. DRUNKENNESS OFTEN OPENS THE GATE TO THE FORBIDDEN, SO WE KEEP IT CLOSED AND LOCKED. DR. JEKYLL, THEREFORE, IS THE NICE PERSON PERMANENTLY REPRESENTED TO SOCIETY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME PEOPLE CANNOT OR WILL NOT SUPPRESS THEIR HATREDS AND PREJUDICES. FOR THEM, THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL RELEASES THE HIDDEN DEVILS IN THEIR IDS. THE CLOSED DOORS ARE FLUNG OPEN, AND DR. HYDE, THE UGLY DRUNK EMERGES, RANTING. MEL GIBSON IS JUST ANOTHER MANIFESTATION OF HIS, ALTER EGO, MR. HYDE. MR. HYDE IS AS TRUE TO HIS UNCIVIL SELF AS DR. JEKYLL IS TO HIS CIVIL SELF.

HOW SAD, BUT HOW TYPICAL OF HUMAN NATURE THAT WEAKNESSES OFTEN TRIUMPH. EVIL (LURKING SOMEWHERE IN ALL OF US) OFTEN SURFACES.