Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Flashcards
‘man is not truly one, but truly two’ - Jekyll
Chapter 10
Stevenson presents the theme of duality primarily in the character of Jekyll as his inner sinister desires and his outward respectable persona are in conflict with each other, leading to his creation of Hyde
Stevenson is concerned about the duality of human nature and society in general and considers the idea that everyone is capable of good and evil deeds
‘My devil had long been caged; he came out roaring’ - Jekyll
Chapter 10
Stevenson associates Hyde with Christian ideas about Hell and Satan and Jekyll repeatedly refers to him as “my devil”
Hyde’s sinister presence and actions are a constant reminder of the power of evil throughout the novella
He invokes terror in other characters and again this may hint at the possibility of the inner evil and depraved nature that resides within each person
‘all human beings … are commingled out of good and evil’ - Jekyll
Chapter 10
In this quote, Jekyll reveals the duality of good and evil in all human beings Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement of evil within the novella
Jekyll believes that it is the “curse of mankind” that good and evil are bound together within him and the two parts are in direct conflict with one another
‘Though he enjoyed the theatre, [Mr Utterson] had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years’ - Narrator
Chapter 1
Stevenson presents Utterson as a highly moral and devout Christian and he is depicted as a model Victorian gentleman
He is described as being “austere with himself” and that he restricting his pleasures and even though he enjoys attending the theatre, he had not frequented one for twenty years, due to their somewhat poor reputation
This quote suggests that Utterson has repressed his desire for theatre as perhaps the enjoyment of theatre may lead him to sinful thoughts
‘something eminently human beaconed in his eye’ - Narrator
Chapter 1
Gabriel Utterson is presented as having “an approved tolerance for others” and Stevenson suggests he is a kind and genial character
Stevenson presents Utterson as a respectable lawyer and as a trustworthy, discreet and loyal friend to Jekyll
He is presented as both rational and calm and through his objective perspective, Stevenson enables the reader to judge the evidence alongside him
‘My Hyde was pale and dwarfish, he gave an impression of deformity’ - Narrtor
Chapter 2
‘And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot’ - Narrator
Chapter 4
Hyde is described throughout in terms of animalistic imagery which increases as the novella develops: “savage”, “snarled”, “with ape-like fury” and “hardly human” all allude to his aggressive, predatory and primitive nature
Stevenson’s deliberate use of animal imagery is used to suggest Hyde’s separateness from human society and his unrestrained nature
It could also be an allusion to Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution:
That human being are descended from apes
Stevenson suggests that “he gives a strong feeling of deformity” though he does not specify what this deformity is
This casts an uncertainty as to Hyde’s character and also hints at a supernatural element as the descriptions of him are quite ambiguous
‘My life is shaken to its roots’ – Lanyon
Chapter 4
‘I ask myself if I believe it, and I cannot answer’ – Lanyon
Chapter 4
Stevenson positions Lanyon as the only character to witness Jekyll’s transformation as his belief in the laws of science does not enable him to accept what he has witnessed
Lanyon is a respectable and conventional scientist and stands in contrast to Jekyll, as he views Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and describes them as “scientific balderdash”
Lanyon’s shock at Jekyll’s experiment is so great that it leads to his own physical and mental deterioration and subsequent death
‘I was coming home from some place at the end of the world, about three o’clock of a black winter morning’ - Chapter 1
Enfield, a seemingly decent and innocent man seems to be getting into some dodgy business. This implies something secretive and hints at the activities Enfield gets up to in private. Exactly where he has been remains a mystery. Could link to the young boy brothel scandal and subsequent decriminalisation of homosexuality
‘a door covered in red baize….dusty windows barred with iron….even in the houses the fog began to lie thickly…Dr Jekyll looking deadly sick.’ - Chapter 5
There is a deep sense of secrecy and covering things up. Everything is obscured to hide things.
Jekyll has made himself a prisoner
There is a link with the presence of fog and Hyde. There is now fog INSIDE the house, if fog symbolises Hyde then it implies Hyde is taking over Jekyll. Link to Ch. 4 and how the fog hides sinister acts.
’ “the two hands are in many points identical”…
“I wouldn’t speak of this note”….And his blood ran cold in his veins.’ - Chapter 5
Guest is more perceptive than his master due to his lower social class caring less about reputation. (Stevenson may be commenting on hypocrisy of upper class), Utterson is careful to keep everything a secret in that way he is similar to Jekyll.
The narrative twist that Jekyll is deceitful suggests to the reader that Jekyll is hiding some terrible secret and cannot be trusted..
‘Froze the very blood of the two men below’ - Chapter 7
Recurring image of cold blood implies they are dying inside; a metaphor for abject horror and a very extreme reaction to the transformation.
Perhaps have seen their own reflection in the window and have seen their own evil within (Hyde represents man’s inner evil). Links to Ch. 6 Lanyon “I sometimes think if we knew all, we should be more glad to get away”.
‘Poole who had kept the whole way a pace or two ahead’ - Chapter 8
As they are walking Utterson comments Poole’s hastiness suggesting the urgency.
However diving deeper it suggests Poole’s role as a very perceptive character in the novella, implying that he has known something to do with Jekyll for a while now/has been making connections.
the body of a man sorely contorted and still twitching….beheld the face of Edward Hyde…“it only remains for us to find the body of your master.” ‘ - Chapter 8
First reading the mystery deepens it seems Hyde has murdered Jekyll, second reading there has been a terrible battle between J&H and Jekyll won because he managed to kill Hyde. There is also a sense that Hyde has won because he has totally consumed Jekyll.
The fact the mystery doesn’t end here makes sense so Stevenson can make more money from publishing more episodes in the newspapers.
‘…. “Lanyon my life, my honour, my reason depend upon you.” ‘ - Chapter 9
Lanyon is initially surprised to have a letter addressed from Jekyll. As a respectable gentleman, he responds to Jekyll’s urgency. Jekyll is relying upon a fellow scientist in order to maintain the ‘shipwreck of his reason.’, and one he once called a “hide-bound pedant”
‘……he sprang to it, and then paused.’ - Chapter 9
On second reading we realise that Hyde and Jekyll are battling with each other. Here the urgency with which Hyde springs forward is Jekyll’s urgency to return to his civilised side (he is springing to the potion)
