Jekyll and Hyde - Dr Jekyll character analysis Flashcards
Context about Dr Jekyll
1) Religion;
was prevalent during Victorian era and Jekyll is used subvert the religious beliefs and standards through invention of Hyde and also used to criticise Christian beliefs.
2) Freud’s structural theory of the mind;
Jekyll symbolises the Ego - the balance between man’s basal instincts and moral thought, he is depicted as rational, though to what extent?
3) Marxism;
which was devised during 1800’s when novella was published. Jekyll is a bourgeoisie and therefore Hyde. They are used to criticise the upper-class.
*Trampling on girl symbolises mistreatment of lower-class.
*Murder of Carew reflects disloyalty and selfishness portrayed amongst upper-class citizens and their circle.
4) Character is influenced by John Hunter;
he was a respectable surgeon who contributed to progression of human anatomy and the discovery of bone remodelling. But also committed nefarious deeds by paying grave robbers to give him dead bodies to operate on.
(Links to dual personality/façade).
Though immoral this still lead to scientific discoveries about human anatomy thus, benefitting science.
Much like Jekyll: outwardly = respectable, inwardly = devious and deceptive.
ALT: Maybe invention of Hyde rather than to aid the destruction of morality and humankind, was to benefit science.
5) Darwin’s Theory of Evolution;
Jekyll’s invention of Hyde supports that man evolved from animals and primitiveness still lies inherent with us.
6) Fin de Siecle - revolution and rising of fears especially within science and medicine, Jekyll’s character propels these fears in society forward. think about the effect on the contemporary Victorian audience.
Points about Jekyll’s characteristics:
- Irreproachable, revered, moral and adulated by society.
(Charity work) - Innovative, astute and possesses and inquisitive mind.
(Invention of Hyde) - Erratic, capricious and unpredictable.
(As novella progresses he succumbs more and more to his desires and loses control)
Describe Jekyll’s relationship with Dr Lanyon.
Trusts him with his secret, but they distance due to disagreement on improper and immoral usage of science.
'’Unscientific balderdash’’.
Describe Jekyll’s relationship with Utterson.
Strong with unwavering loyalty. Utterson even as a lawyer covers up for Jekyll after learning of his association with Hyde.
Describe Jekyll’s relationship with Hyde.
Power imbalance progresses throughout which propels narrative forward.
Originally Hyde is under the control of Jekyll but eventually seems to take over later on.
They merge from 2 entities and become 1.
'’My devil had long been caged, he had_____’’
'’My devil had been caged, he had come out roaring’’
'’Man is not truly one but___’’
'’Man is not truly one but truly two’’
'’This is the last time…___’’
'’This is the last time… that Henry Jekyll can think his own thoughts’’
'’Smooth-faced___’’
'’Smooth-faced man of fifty’’
'’The hand that lay on my knee was___’’
"”The hand that lay on my knee was corded and hairy’’
'’Late one accursed night, I compounded the elements, watched them___’’
'’Late one accursed night, I compounded the elements, watched them boil…with a strong glow, drank off the potion’’
