J&H representations and examples

Question 1

What could the ‘red baize door’ to Jekyll’s cabinet be a representation of?

Answer 1

A symbol of transgression ( an offence) - Red is associated with hell and evil; what happens behind that door is something evil that Jekyll tries to separate, but in the end the door is broken down.

Question 2

What could the ‘windows barred with iron’ at Jekyll’s cabinet be a symbol of?

Answer 2

A symbol of imprisonment -Jekyll is imprisoned by his evil deeds and his guilt - this is his punishment and he can not escape.

Question 3

The printed extract is from Chapter 2 where Utterson tries to work out if Hyde is blackmailing Jekyll (‘the cancer of some concealed disgrace) and the question is about how Stevenson presents duality. What could you write about?

Answer 3

Possible answer-

• The characters all feel temptation but they try to repress it (‘he would go soberly and gratefully to bed)
• All the characters are hiding things from their past (the cancer of some concealed disgrace)
• Jekyll reveals that hidden evil is part of everyone (man is not truly one, but truly two)

Question 4

The printed extract is from Chapter 4, when Utterson goes to Soho to look for Hyde ( like a district from some city in a nightmare ) and the question is about how Stevenson uses setting to create tension and mystery. What could you write about?

Answer 4

Possible answers-

• The setting is personified, almost like a character ( the low growl of London form all around )
• The setting presents urban terror in Industrial London ( like the district of some city in a nightmare)
• The setting of Jekyll’s labatory is a symbol of hell and evil ( the red baize door )

Question 5

The printed extract is from Chapter 1 where Enfield tells Utterson about seeing Hyde ( carrying it off, sir, really like satan ) and the question presents evil. What could you write about?

Answer 5

Possible answers -

• Hyde is clearly a representation of evil ( carrying it off, sir, really like satan )
• Evil is part of our animal nature as Darwin said ( broke out of all bounds, and with ape-like fury)
• Evil is part of everyone (‘man is not truly one, but truly two)

Question 6

The printed extract is from Chapter 9 when Anyone sees Hyde turn into Jekyll (‘you who have derided your superiors - behold!) and the question is about how Stevenson presents Science. What could you write about?

Answer 6

possible answers-

• the scientists are presented as rational (all reputable men and judges of good wine)
• however jekyll is more transgressive ( too fanciful for me)
• science causes Jekyll to fall from grace, just like Satan in the bible. ( you who have derided your superiors)

Question 7

The printed extract is from Chapter 2 when Utterson starts his hunt for Hyde (‘if he shall be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek) and the question is about how Stevenson uses different narrators to create mystery and suspense. What could you write about?

Answer 7

Possible answers -

• Utterson represents the detective of the story, and we share the mystery with him. (if he shall be mr hyde i shall be mr seek)
• canyon represents rational, moral Vitroians who were scared of advances in science ( henry Jekyll has become too fanciful for me)
• Jekyll is the final narrator so we can have sympathy for how he was tempted and punished ( i bring the life of this unhappy henry jekyll to an end)

Question 8

What could flames or fire be a symbol of in the book?

Answer 8

a symbol of hell - Jekyll often sees a fire or mentions flames when he is thinking about something evil