ESSAY PLAN

Question 1

Thesis statement

Hypocrisy

Answer 1

Stevenson consciously constructs the male characters of the novella as the typical Victorian middle class men of the time. He is attentive to the deep-rooted hypocrisy found within this social class, and the society which allows them to camoflage their attraction to the immoral, through a facade of having christian morals and being of high repute.

Question 2

Thesis Statement

Christian and Social repression

Answer 2

Stevensons turbulent relationship with religion, specifically the protestant denomination of calvinism, is explored through the construct of Dr Henry Jekyll and the actions his alter ego Hyde. Within the novella, Stevenson questions Christianities role within society at the time, and whether the churches moral values distort perspectives of what is truly evil or sinful. Which leads to the repression of intrinsic behaviours and breeds hypocrisy amongst those following the faith.

Question 3

Jekyll

Answer 3

Hyde was pure evil is how Hyde is described