Jekyll and Hyde Flashcards
Give some context about Robert Louis Stevenson’s upbringing
He was an only child. Mother’s family were from the gentry but father’s family worked.
Parents were Presbyterian but religion wasn’t strict in his household. His nanny often used her own religion to comfort him when he was ill (which was often). Could explain his strained relationship with religion
Give some context about Robert Louis Stevenson as a writer and his inspiration for the novella
In his own time, he was a celebrity + widely admired but 20th century saw him mocked + side-lined
Had long been interested in how the mind can do both good + evil.
Had a friendship with Edinburgh-based French teacher Eugene Chantrelle, who was convicted and executed for the murder of his wife via opium poisoning. He appeared to live a normal life
Give some context around the process of writing the novel
Mrs Stevenson read first draft + said it would be better as an allegory. He burned the manuscript in fear he would try to salvage it.
He started again from nothing, heeding her suggestions. Rewrote story in 3-6 days whilst bedridden from a hemorrhage
Many later biographers have alleged he was on drugs during the frantic rewrite
Give some context around Victorian reputation and gentlemen
Victorian gentlemen = important societal figures. Upper class, important professions, expected to have strong morals + be kind particularly to the poor (most saw this as less important) - respected by other rich people + benefitted children
Important so people could see where they stood in societal ‘rankings’.
Gentlemen would walk through public places to keep appearances. Had to keep emotions under strict control + hide desires. Hypocritical - publicly snobbish about disreputable places but secretly visited at night
Paid large sums to keep activities private = vulnerable to blackmail. Loss of reputation = could be shunned entirely.
Victorian era saw beginning of social movement - people could climb societal ladder for first time
Give some context about Victorian religion
Christianity had a strong influence on everyday life, particularly a branch called Evangelicalism.
Taught the theory of original sin - all are naturally sinful + individuals must seek forgiveness from God by strictly avoiding sin and keeping total morality
Give some context around Victorian science
Many scientific advancements in the era - e.g Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ that proposed theory of evolution. Challenged belief that God created life + humans were separate to animals. Unsettled the population + sparked fears of ‘de-evolution’ + that may be an animalistic side to everyone.
But evolutionary theory still implied humans are superior to animals because we’re higher in evolutionary scale (why Hyde is described as less-evolved)
Give some context about Victorian London
RLS born in Edinburgh but set novella in London - maybe because London had dual nature. Middle + upper classes lived in richly-furnished houses while working class lived in overcrowded, poor quality slums that were rapidly built to fit migrant workers from Industrial Revolution.
London was known for smoke pollution = thick fog (especially in the slums near factories) like ‘pea soupers’ - impenetrable, dense yellow fog
Give some theories relating to the novella
- Freud’s theory of dreams: idea that when wishes can’t/won’t be fulfilled in waking lives, they’re carried out in dreams
- Super-ego (Utterson):moral conscience
-Id (Hyde): primitive + instinctual part of mind containing sexual + aggressive drives
-Ego (Jekyll): realistic part that mediates between the two - Tragic hero (Jekyll): a great or virtuous character in a tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering or defeat
Describe the theme of Good vs. Evil in Jekyll and Hyde
The 2 forces in 1 person. Jekyll good + Hyde evil - both fighting to win. Stevenson believed evil is stronger force as Hyde gain power as story develops.
Links to science vs. religion - experiments pitted against religious motifs - why Hyde is repeatedly compared to Satan. Also called ape-like, links to theory of evolution, where he is only evil because he is under-developed.
Jekyll and Hyde are used to present the battles between good/evil and religion/science
Describe the theme of duality of human nature in Jekyll and Hyde
Suggests all humans have 2 people within us - one good, one evil. Everyone has ability to do both but we can choose and learn what is/isn’t acceptable. Jekyll opts to make the decision physically. Mr Hyde is completely evil but Dr Jekyll is not wholly good
Describe the theme of science vs religion in Jekyll and Hyde
Science was still something new + frightening for Victorians. Science’s power had not yet been proven so many believed Jekyll’s experiment was possible. Darwin’s evolutionary theory opposed popular religious beliefs at the time so the conflict between Jekyll + Lanyon reflected discussions of real life.
Stevenson uses the theme to show how dangerous science could be + how fragile religion was becoming
Describe the theme of reputation in Jekyll and Hyde
Affects every character. Utterson’s curiosity continuously causes feelings of guilt because he was interfering with things he’d been asked to leave alone. Broke promise to Enfield to drop it.
Hyde doesn’t care about reputation at all
Only reason Jekyll conducted experiment was to protect his reputation.
Enfield + Utterson were only friends because they were allowed to be seen together.
Motif of secrecy stems from this theme because only reason they felt the need for secrecy was to protect their reputation
What does Dr Jekyll’s house symbolise?
Represents his personality. Two connected sides - outwardly respectable but inwardly sinful (house’s front has “air of wealth” but lab has a “blistered and distained door”).
Hyde escapes into lab after meeting Utterson - uses building to conceal himself.
Jekyll hosts lively dinner parties in main house but keeps lab closed.
Lab is “windowless” = secrecy. Symbolises his shame - transforms it from a place of ordinary science to one of dark experiments. Dies in lab = can’t face judgement
What does the cane (murder weapon of Carew) symbolise?
A gift from Utterson to Jekyll. A symbol of Victorian gentlemen so shows civilised people can commit violent crimes.
Canes are a mobility aid - makes it more shocking that something used to help people could be used to kill - shows Hyde corrupts good people
What does Jekyll’s cheque book symbolise?
Used to pay the family of the girl that Hyde trampled, but Jekyll burned it after Carew’s murder - shows that money can’t help with a scandal of that scale, and reputation is fragile, no matter how rich you are.
Describe the character of Enfield
“Kinsman” (friend) of Utterson. Minor character but introduces Utterson to the mystery.
Embodies typical Victorian values - understands reputation’s importance. Doesn’t like gossiping because it can negatively affect their reputation.
Enfield + Utterson didn’t have much in common but were still friends - like Jekyll/Hyde differences brought together.
Not curious about Hyde - comment on Victorian society - everyone knew everyone was secretly sinning so didn’t ask questions
