DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE Flashcards
Significance of Jekyll and Hyde names
Jekyll = homophone for Je kill /I killl foreshadowing later transcendence to Hyde
HYDE = homophone for Hyde reinforces that no one has seen or heard from him until Enfield’s story of the door or skin of an animal
Suggests Hyde is skin of Jekyll so early subtle hint into Jekyll’s duality
How is Gabriel Utterson described as
“cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse … yet somehow lovable” - describes how human he is: with “cold” faults yet is still loved and accepted by others
“gentleman” - he is described as a respectable “gentleman” by the more informal police officer during the ‘Carew Murder Case on the search for Hyde. This links to the theme of respectability as it highlights society’s reliance on a pecking order and approval.
* “lover of the sane and customary greetings of life” - he truly believes that people should behave politely and impeccably at all times and bases his search of Hyde around protecting Jekyll’s reputation because of this
How is Jekyll described as
“a large, well-made, smoothed man of fifty” - his age connotes authenticity and trust, a very human nature and “large”-ness is an example of his exonerable wealth.
* “with a slyish cast” - this connotes his dual personality; whilst he is “well-made” he, like Utterson, also has a “slyish” fault.
* As the novel progresses, he becomes increasingly erratic as Hyde begins to take over.
How is Hyde described
“something displeasing, something downright detestable” - the dehumanisation of Hyde in this quote highlights how Hyde cannot be understood as a human but more as a creature, an animal. The word “something” also identifies how his malformation cannot be identified; it is as if his spirit scares people
“a strong feeling of deformity” - there is “something” not quite right with his appearance, “something” is lacking, which is the definition of deformity. The word
“deformed” also scares the reader further because they can associate the word with a horrifically changed form and fear the connoting pain.
“dwarfish” - he represents devolution; the Victorian fear that evolution could go backwards, resulting in man becoming an ape.
“displeasing smile” - even his smile makes people want to gag! Hyde is so evil that his smile seems “sly” and evil, scaring anyone he looks at.
* “murderous mixture of timidity and boldness” - he still has Jekyll’s fear of sin yet his own boldness for evil and therefore embodies both emotions.
What re the reactions to Hyde
- Enfield had “taken a loathing to my gentlemen at first sight” - even a well-liked man like Enfield abhors Hyde, and feels the pulls of hatred towards him, the very emotions Hyde expressed when trampling the girl.
“women were as wild as harpies” - the women instantly hated him, not only because he hurt a child but also because his nature brought out the worst in their nature; brought out their own Hyde. This is reinforced when the entire congregation is described as a sea of “hateful faces” - The Doctor “turned sick and white with the desire to kill him” - this expresses how, once again, another respectable gentlemen (who is even as “emotional as a bagpipe”
btw bagpipes = 0 emotion) has not only begun to show hatred (an evil emotion)
towards Hyde but even goes to the extent of wanting to kill Hyde! This is even more evil than Hyde’s actions towards the little girl, suggesting that the doctor is more than an “ordinary secret sinner.” - Utterson had also taken an “unknown disgust and loathing” to Hyde, describing how hypocritical Utterson is who believes in the “customary sides of life,” and how Hyde can bring out the worst in anyone
Size of age of Jekyll and Hyde
younger: suggesting that evil is something that someone must acquire after childhood when they become influenced by sin and temptation
“dwarfish:” reflecting devolution reverse of evolution that was greatly feared when
the novel was written
“small:” reflecting how, whilst Hyde is the smaller part of Jekyll, if he is repressed he will grow stronger.
Symbol of door
closed doors like the “door” in which Hyde enters after trampling the door are a symbol of secrecy and sin as what happens behind closed doors is known by no one.
This makes the first chapter extremely significant, as well as the Last Night as it suggests that the secrets will be revealed because the door is broken down
Symbol of Jekyll’s house
Jekyll lives in a “square of ancient, handsome houses … which wore a great air of wealth and comfort.” This symbolises his gentlemanly personality and the
“good” side of his personality. However, the houses could home “all sorts and conditions of men,” which foreshadows Jekyll’s dual personality with Hyde
Symbol of Hyde’s house
similarly, his house reflects his personality; “a dingy place, a gin palace” summarises how disgusting Hyde appears to others and the “gin palace” reflects his sins.
Symbol of mirror
the mirror emphasises the fact that Hyde is Jekyll’s double and that all humans are “comingled out of good and evil.”
Symbol of fog
symbolises the mystery of the novel. When there is a lot of fog in the novel, something is being researched.
Symbol of moon
acts as a light for the reader; when it shines “brightly” and is “full,” the reader learns something new.
Links to Hyde and evil
Hyde, as the allegorical link to evil, is often referred to as “Satan” and “pure evil.”
* “A prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan:” Hyde is living proof of the link between science and religion
* “pure evil:” Hyde is pure evil, he has no good or conscience
The phrase “wholly evil” reinforces this idea
* “devilish fury:” his fury is purely based on his evil nature that can be linked with Hell and he had no motive
* “child of Hell:” he is Satan’s spawn suggesting his power and “pure evil” nature because he has no good in him.
NOTE: Jekyll wants to be free from his sins to be a respectable ‘gentleman’ so began to experiment in ‘transcendental medicine’ to separate his evil and good
How is setting important in Jekyll and Mr Hyde
At the “hour of 12,” the midnight hour connoting the evil, crime and darkness that comes out during the night, Utterson walks to see Dr Lanyon At “night under the … fogged city moon:” Utterson haunts the door that Hyde is associated with in order to find him and discover his relationship with Jekyll Hyde lives in a “street in Soho:” the area of “Soho” was well known for is promiscuity and sin and is an appropriate home for Hyde because of this
A “fog rolled over the city:” highlighting the air of mystery in the novel, as well as foreshadow another appearance of Hyde and apprehension as we wait for Hyde to act out once more
The city was “brilliantly lit by the full moon:” the moon once again acts as an illuminator for the audience, revealing more information and truth
A “chocolate covered pall lowered over heaven” is an example of pathetic fallacy as it identifies the feelings Utterson cannot express because he is a respectable gentleman
A “haggard shaft of daylight” is the only light or good in this dark, evil time. It is allegorical for pure innocence and good.
