Henry Jekyll & Edward Hyde Flashcards
Give an example that shows Jekyll is a respected man.
He describes himself as “well known and highly considered”.
Does Jekyll think his desires were worse than other men’s before he creates Hyde?
Jekyll says many men would have “blazoned” (flaunted) his flaws, which suggests they are minor compared to other people’s
Give an example from the novella that shows Jekyll is troubled by Hyde’s actions.
Jekyll looks physically ill after Hyde murders Carew. He is described as “looking deadly sick”, which suggests that he is so distressed about Hyde’s actions that it’s made him ill.
What impression do you get of Jekyll when he first appears in the story?
Jekyll seems to be friendly, although there are hints that he has a dark side. He is described as having “every mark” of “kindness” in his face, which suggests he is a good person. However, he does have a “slyish cast”, which hints that he is hiding something.
Do you think Jekyll has any negative personality traits when he isn’t Hyde? Explain your answer.
Jekyll does have some negative personality traits. The fact that his “conscience slumbered” shows he doesn’t feel any remorse for Hyde’s actions, which suggests he isn’t moral. He also has “vainglorious” thoughts in the park, which suggests he can be arrogant and self-satisfied.
Give two events that show Hyde’s violent nature.
He tramples a little girl and he murders Carew for no reason.
True or False? Hyde doesn’t care about getting caught for his crimes.
False. Hyde is described as having a “terror of the gallows” — he is scared of getting caught and hanged for his crimes.
Give an example that shows Hyde has little respect for religion.
He writes “blasphemies” (things that are disrespectful towards a religion or god) on the pages of Jekyll’s books.
Hyde’s laugh is described as “savage”. What is the effect of this language?
The word “savage” is often used to describe untamed animals — this suggests that Hyde has inhuman qualities.
Describe the effect that Hyde has on the people he meets. Use examples in your answer.
People loathe Hyde as soon as they meet him. For example, in ‘Story of the Door’ Enfield describes how the doctor turned “white with the desire to kill” Hyde, and Utterson feels “disgust, loathing and fear” for him. However, they also find it difficult to put their negative impression of Hyde into words — e.g. Enfield says he can’t “specify” how Hyde is “deformed”.
Is there are any point in the story where the reader feels sympathy for Hyde? Explain your answer.
Hyde is portrayed as being “pure evil”, which makes it difficult for the reader to sympathise with him. However, the reader might feel sympathy for Hyde at the end of the story, as Stevenson emphasises his painful death by describing him as “sorely contorted”.
True or False? Hyde appears to be of a higher social class than Jekyll.
False. Hyde’s house in Soho and the fact he dresses “very plainly” indicate that he is of a lower social class than Jekyll.
How does Jekyll ensure that he can enter his house freely as Hyde?
He tells the servants to give Hyde “full liberty and power” about his house, and calls at the house as Hyde so that the servants are familiar with what Hyde looks like.
Give an example where Jekyll and Hyde’s relationship is compared to a relationship between a parent and a child.
Jekyll says he has “more than a father’s interest” in Hyde, while Hyde has “more than a son’s indifference” towards Jekyll. This suggests Jekyll cares about Hyde’s actions even more than a farther would, while Hyde’s attitude to Jekyll is like that of a disinterested child.
Jekyll compares himself to a “drunkard”. What does this suggest about his transformations into Hyde?
The comparison to a “drunkard” suggests that Jekyll is addicted to turning into Hyde, like an alcoholic is addicted to drinking. It also emphasises that Jekyll’s habit of turning into Hyde is unhealthy and dangerous.
