Gothic Features

Question 1

How is the gothic feature of mysterious settings presented in the novel?

Answer 1

Stevenson’s descriptions of the dark, deserted London streets, the ‘fogged city moon’ and the objects in Jekyll’s laboratory are all mysterious

Question 2

How is the gothic feature of disturbing secrets presented in the novel?

Answer 2

Jekyll’s secret alter ego is disturbing - Hyde commits horrific crimes, and inspires terror in everyone who meets him

Question 3

How is the gothic feature of dreams and visions presented in the novel?

Answer 3

Utterson has a terrifying vision in which he is ‘haunted’ by a faceless figure. It’s a frightening mixture of Enfield’s story and Utterson’s own fears

Question 4

How is the gothic feature of the supernatural presented in the novel?

Answer 4

Jekyll’s scientific experiments are ‘mystic and the transcendental’. Lanyon describes Hyde’s transformation in a way that seems impossible - his features ‘seemed to melt and alter’. This suggests that Hyde isn’t part of this world.

Question 5

How is the gothic feature of the double presented in the novel?

Answer 5

The novel rests on the idea of man’s double nature. As well as Jekyll’s obvious duality, other characters and settings have two sides.