duality Flashcards
overview
The theme of Duality is central to Jekyll and Hyde because every character has two sides to them. Jekyll created Hyde as an outlet for his immoral desires and is a doppelganger. This idea of a doppelganger would’ve appealed to many Victorian Gentleman because it would be a way of separating their evil side so they could act on their desires without fearing for their reputation. Stevenson uses Jekyll and Hyde to reveal how he believes everyone has two sides to them, a good and evil side and that both side is as real as the other and neither can be suppressed.
ch1
– U is described as ‘dreary but somehow loveable.’ The word ‘dreary’ suggests that U is boring but this contrasts the fact that he is well liked. Therefore, this suggests how everyone has a dual nature.
- U and E walk past the house and it is described as ‘sinister.’ By personifying the building the word ‘sinister’ suggests that the building is eerie and unsettling. However, the rest of the street ‘shone out’ which suggests that the rest of the street is bright and welcoming. The contrast suggests that there are 2 sides to every place.
- E describes H as a ‘damnable man’ which suggests that H is so evil that he belongs in hell. However J is the ‘pink of the proprieties’ which suggests that he is a role model for moral behaviour. The contrasting descriptions show duality in their personality.
ch2
– H is described by U as ‘troglodytic’ which suggests that H is like a caveman. This links to Darwin’s theory of evolution as it suggests that because H is the embodiment of evil he is less evolved.
- U read ‘Satan’s signature’ across H’s face which suggests that H is so evil that he has been personally marked by the devil. This also links to the Victorian belief in physiognomy which is that you can tell how a person is by their appearance. He has inhuman evil written across his face so he is inhumanely evil.
ch3
– However, J is described to be ‘well-made’ which suggests that he is the picture of being a good Victorian gentleman. This contrasts to the description of H that suggests that he goes against everything a good Victorian gentleman is. J also has a ‘slyish cast’ which suggests that there is a darkness lurking beneath the surface and hints at his dual nature.
ch4
– When H attacks C C’s ‘bones audibly shattered.’ This violent imagery suggests the extreme violence of H. The fact that you could hear the bones shatter suggests the force of his violence. This highlights J’s dual nature because J would never behave like that.
- Where J lives his street is like an ‘invitation’ which suggests that where he lives is welcoming. However, H lives in Soho which looks like a ‘city in a nightmare.’ Nightmares could be linked to a feeling of helplessness and fear because you can’t control them. Through this contrast it suggests how there are 2 sides of London – an evil side and a good side.
- H’s servant has an ‘evil face’ but ‘excellent’ manners. This suggests that outwardly she appears kind because she has good manners but inwardly she is evil. This is significant because it suggests that everyone, not just J, has a dual nature.
ch6
– J comes out of his seclusion and is described as ‘distinguished for religion.’ This suggests that he is known for his interest in religion. This also implies that he is the model for a good Victorian Gentleman because they were meant to be highly religious. This suggests that J is respectable. This fits with the theme of duality because beneath this good exterior he hides his evil desires that come out in H.
ch8
– H is described by others as a ‘creature’ which suggests that he is so far from society that he can’t even be described as human. This suggests that H is animalistic which links to Darwin’s theory which is that everyone has evolved from animals. Therefore, this links to Stevenson’s message which is that everyone has an animalistic, instinctive side to them.
ch10
- He says he has a ‘gaiety of disposition’ which suggests that he likes to have fun. However, this goes against what society expects a respectable Victorian Gentleman like him to do and therefore his desires are not compatible with his status.
- Therefore, J ‘concealed my pleasures’ which suggests that he had to hide his pleasures from people. This led him realising that he was ‘committed to a profound duplicity of life’ before he even created H. This suggests how J was choosing to behave in this way and to hide his pleasures from society.
- However, J felt a ‘morbid sense of shame.’ The word ‘morbid’ suggests that J was disgusted by his pleasures and felt bad about them. This links to the Victorian Gentleman because many might have felt bad about their desires and tried to suppress them to save their reputation.
- J believed that both sides of him were in ‘dead earnest.’ This suggests that J believed that both sides of him, the good and evil side, were real.
- J realises his philosophy which is that ‘man is not truly one but two.’ This suggests that man has a dual nature however ‘man’ is universal which suggests that everyone has these two good and evil sides to them. This suggests that it’s natural. It also suggests that there is an animalistic side to everyone that conflicts the moral side that links to God.
- J calls the idea of separating the two sides of him a ‘beloved daydream’ which suggests that it’s a happy fantasy. This is because there would be less pressure to hide from society if he could swap between the two sides.
- J describes how the ‘polar twins’ are ‘struggling.’ The phrase ‘polar twins’ is an oxymoron suggesting that they are similar but far apart at the same time. However, the metaphor of them ‘struggling’ suggests that one side is always trying to be more powerful than the other.
- J ‘created a solution to the bonds of obligation.’ The metaphor of being tied by ‘bonds’ suggests that he is restrained by duty to behave in a certain way and be a respectable Victorian gentleman. However the fact that he’s found a ‘solution’ suggests that he’s found a way to be free and be immoral without risking his reputation. The solution is H.
