The text of Stevenson's novella is that of the 1886 First British Edition, the only edition which was set directly from the author's manuscript and for which he read proofs. It has been rigorously annotated for undergraduate readers and is accompanied by a textual appendix. "Backgrounds and Contexts" includes a wealth of materials on the story and its relevance to Victorian culture. "Performance Adaptations" shows the versatility with which the plot of Jekyll and Hyde has been reworked over more than a century as an outlet for modern psychological and social concerns. "Criticism" collects five essays on the novella, centering on its allegorical dimensions (Chesterton, Brantlinger, and Linehan) and its narrative technique (Nabokov, Garrett). A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included. About the series : No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions . Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehensive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide.