Characters Flashcards
What is Dr Lanyons character symbolic of
the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation
- his experiences also serve as a warning against the dangers of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge at any cost
- overall his character is a cautionary tale about the perils of meddling with the unknown and the importance of upholding moral principles even in the face of great temptation
how does Lanyon change through the novella
- at the beginning, hes portrayed as a respected physician and a scientist who is skeptical of Jekyll’s scientific theories and experiments
- as it progresses, he becomes increasingly involved in the mysterious affairs of Jekyll, and his views and beliefs are challenged
- hes curious about Jekylls experiments and agrees to help him retrieve a potion, but when he actually sees Hyde transform into Jekyll, hes horrified and his worldview is challenged, this experience causes him to fall very ill and die
- His involvement in the events in the novella lead to his death, as he becomes disillusioned with science, realising that some things are better left unknown
“i never saw a man i so disliked, and j scarce know why” analysis and themes
- said by Lanyon is Chapter 2
- the word “never” emphasises the extremity of his dislike, suggesting that its not simply a passive feeling, but a deep seated sentiment
- the phrase “i scarce know why” suggests uncertainty, indicating that Lanyon is struggling to find an exact reason for his dislike
- the sentence structure, a compound sentence with a semi colon creates a sense of hesitation and reluctancy, as if Lanyon is struggling to express himself fully
THEMES :
curiosity - Lanyon’s strong negative reaction towards Hyde indicates that hes unsettled by the unknown, and his curiosity may have been sparked by his intense dislike for the man
corrupting influence of science - as hyde is the result of Jekylls scientific experiments, and Lanyon, a fellow scientist, may be reacting to the dangers of delving too deeply into science without considering the moral and ethical implications
“this was a hearty….
healthy, dapper red faced gentleman”
“this was a hearty, healthy, dapper red faced man analysis
- adjective “hearty” suggests Lanyon as a robust and energetic
- “healthy” suggests physically fit and not suffering from any ailments
- “dapper” suggests he takes care of his appearance and is well dressed
- these adjectives suggests a certain level of prosperity and social status, which is reinforced by the fact that Lanyon is a respected physician, which was a profession associated with wealth and status during the Victorian era
“he began to go wrong…”
wrong in mind” (Dr Lanyon)
“he began to go wrong, wrong in mind”
- repetition of the word “wrong” creates a sense of foreboding, as it suggests that something irreversible and dangerous is happening to Jekylls psyche. the repetition also foreshadows the sense of dread that Lanyon feels when he witnesses Hydes transformation into Jekyll
- “mind” highlights the psychological nature of Jekyll’s descent, as its not only physical, but also mental
- phrase “began to go” implies that Jekyll’s descent was gradual rather than sudden, and that gradual decline adds to the sense of tragedy, as it suggests that Jekyll was aware of what was happening to him but was unable to stop it
- also highlights the inevitability of jekylls transformation
“unscientific balderdash” analysis
- use of the adjective “unscientific” highlights Lanyon’s belief in the importance of scientific method and accuracy. by calling them unscientific, Lanyon is discrediting them as irrational and lacking in empirical evidence
- use of the noun balderdash adds to the dismissive and contemptuous (scornful) tone of Lanyon’s statement, as its colloquial language to describe foolish talk. by using this term, Lanyon is emphasising his view that Jekyll’s ideas are not only unscientific, but also absurd and ridiculous
- also ironic, considering Jekylls theories and experiments are rooted in scientific principles, such as the concept of duality and the effect of chemical compounds on the human body
- Lanyons narrow mindedness of science and his inability to understand Jekylls work lead him to have this opinion
“the rosy man had gone pale…
;his flesh had fallen away
“the rosy man had gone pale; his flesh had fallen away” analysis and themes
- contrast between “rosy” which brings to mind a healthy, vibrant person, and “pale” which suggests weakness, illness and decay
- “fallen away” suggests he has become wasted, or is rotting
- “flesh had fallen away” suggests a loss of humanity, combined with pale which suggests a loss in colour, suggests a sense of helplessness
- destructive powers of curiosity, delving too deeply into the unknow
“disgustful curiosity” analysis
- said by Lanyon anout Hyde
- oxymoron, disgust suggesting horror and unnatural, whist curiosity suggests positivity and expanding knowledge
- the oxymoron also suggests conflict and complications in emotions
- the use of the word disgustful rather than disgusted suggests that Lanyons curiosity is tinged with a sense of repulsion, emphasising the visceral nature of his reaction
“O God…O God” analysis
- said by Lanyon after witnessing Hyde turn back into Jekyll
- Repetition of phrase “O God” underscores the intensity of Lanyons terror and shock, and him saying it multiple times in a quick succession suggests a sense of disbelief and overwhelming emotion
- Repetition of the letter “O” creates an onomatopoeic effect that mimics the sound of a cry or groan, reinforcing the idea that Lanyons utterance is not just a verbal expression, but a physical reaction to what hes just seen
religious imagery - Lanyons cry for divine help suggests that what he has witnessed is something so unnatural, possibly even demonic. this underscores the idea that the boundaries between science and religion and rationality and superstition, are blurred in the novella
- tone is one of horror and despair, phrase repeated multiple times suggests a sense of helplessness and shock. the fact he addresses God directly suggests a sense of faith, but also a sense of abandonment, as if hes pleading for divine intervention but not receiving any
“i must die…
and yet i shall die incredulous”
“i must die; and yet i shall die incredulous” analysis
Said by Lanyon after seeing dr jekyll experiments
- modal verb “should” highlights his reluctance to accept the reality if the situation
- incredulous emphasises his disbelief and unwillingness to believe what he had just seen
- “i must die” emphasises his sense of impending doom and his realisation that his involvements in the events surrounding Jekyll and Hyde will likely lead to his death
- use of the conjunction “and yet” creates a sense of contradiction and conflict within Lanyons thoughts and emotions. he knows he has to accept the truth, but cannot bring himself to do so
my life is shaken to its roots;
sleep has left me
