Hyde Key Themes Flashcards
“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” Enfield chapter 1
Physiognomy: this quote displays the Victorian upholding theory of physiognomy, that a person’s character was revealed through their looks. This is fitting with other gothic novels (the picture of Dorian grey) which suggests the more someone engages with debauchery, the more their physical appearance changes. Stevenson mocks this this idea through the pristine presentation of Jekyll.
Hyde’s appearance is crucial to his character, symbolising the societal belief that physical abnormalities are a divine and natural indication of an individual’s wickedness and immorality.
Alliterations: the alliterative “d” sounds in “downright detestable” emphasises the magnitude of Hyde’s physical and moral inhumanity and depravity. This beastly depiction is used to juxtapose the “smooth” unblemished facade of Dr Jekyll. This Jekylls polished exterior becomes a symbol of societal hypocrisy.
“With ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim” chapter 4
Animalistic simile: The animalistic simile of “ape-like fury” portrays Hyde’s regression to a primitive state, where instinctual desires are unchecked. This violent eruption exposes the futility of relentless repression. The ceaseless suppression only serves to exacerbate Hyde’s violent and amoral tendencies.
The very core of what Victorian society deemed civilised, the control of base instincts, crumbles under the presentation of Hyde- he becomes a monstrous embodiment of their deepest anxieties.
Darwinism: The rise of Darwinism forced Victorians to confront the unsettling concept of man’s animalistic inheritance. In Hyde we see the carefully constructed facade stripped bare revealing the savage.
Careless verb “trampling”: The repetition of the careless verb “trampling” as echoed in chapter 1, illustrates the uncontrollable and inhumane manifestation of reckless violence and aggression. This enables the malevolent Hyde to reclaim his dominance relinquished by the virtuous Jekyll.
“Clothes of the Doctors bigness” chapter 8
Metaphor- reminder of how Jekyll was once a more developed aspect of his nature.
We mourn the loss of this respectable individual all that is left is his clothes as he all that is left is his evil counterpart.
His repression and denial of true desires led to the bleak discovery of his dual identity. Discovery shatters the allusion of his respectability
Symbolism of clothes: clothes are superficial, highlighting how only the superficial aspects of himself remain, everything else was too fragile and false
This superficiality reinforces the motif of appearance vs reality, as it becomes evident that the virtuous dr Jekyll was a disguise.
“My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” chapter 10
Verb caged: use of “caged” not only signifies societal and religious repression but also perpetuates the theme of suffering and toxic austerity
Animalistic allusions are created linking with Darwinism. This critics the suppression of primal instincts and hedonistic urges by religious principles.
Zoomorphism: jekylls degenerate desires are symbolically portrayed as “roaring” that hints at a deeper exploration of his descent into his primitive form. Societal constraints compel him to suppress these desires. Which are then personified even more forcefully in Hyde.
“Agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling” chapter 10
Painful verb agonised: suggests Jekyll made an egregious mistake in attempting to separate the two aspects of his nature. Illustrates the pain between the dichotomy noral duty and personal pleasure.
As this agony occur in the “womb”, the place of origin and creation illustrates the inherent and inextricable duality of human nature. Stevenson mocks the Victorian want to sterilise this inherent human flaw chowing it is a permanent trait in everyon from the moment of creation.
Metaphor: “womb” could also suggest that the two aspect of human nature never finished developing, they are perpetually in an embryonic state thus engaging the power struggle.
Duality: Jekyll’s character of concealing “polar twins” of good and evil, serves as a powerful allegory in Stevenson’s novella. Stevenson challenges the Victorian notio that duality is synonymous with evil.
