jekyll and hyde quotes Flashcards
key quotes + analysis *must learn*
“If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.”
Hyde’s name is clearly a reference to the way that he is hidden, though his hiding is symbolic in a number of ways: in one sense he represents the id, and is hidden in our subconscious, kept far away from the judgement of the super-ego. In another sense, he represents the poor and dejected working class, who celebrated many of the things that Hyde also enjoyed, but are hidden away from civilised society. He is everything that exists, but which Victorian England wanted to turn away from. Essentially, ‘Hyde’ is a homophone for Jekyll’s darker, elusive side of his personality.
At one point in the book, Utterson suggests that if Mr Hyde will remain hidden, that he will be “Mr Seek.” Through this pun and clever wordplay, Utterson is taking on the role of the detective, just like Scotland yard. This sets up a detective story, in which the search is not for the killer, but for the inner self; the monster at the heart of us all.
‘O my poor old Harry Jekyll, if I ever read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend’
Utterson claims that Hyde’s face contains “Satan’s signature.” Here, he is almost suggesting that Hyde is a work of evil art – as though Satan himself has signed off the creation. This is ironic, given the fact that it later turns out that the real creator of Hyde is, in fact, his “good friend Henry Jekyll”. Also, the alliteration here makes the phrase sound almost like an advertising gimmick, or a slogan, which infers that the evil in his “face” is so instantly recognisable to Utterson and the reader that it is almost branded on like a logo. Hyde is repeatedly described using images of Satan which makes it clear that he is a purest form of evil – a kind of symbolic, religious evil that normally only exists in theory, but which has now been created as flesh and bone.
“primitive duality of man”
In this quote, Jekyll is realising that there are actually two people in each of us. The stative verb “duality” could be seen to represent the good and bad sides of each of us, in a religious context; or the double lives that were being lived by Victorian gentlemen, as they balance their sordid pleasures with their desire to appear respectable; or as a part of Freud’s structural theory where the Ego (Jekyll) contains both the Super-Ego (Victorian society) and the Id (Hyde). The adjective “primitive” also relates to original or basic, and here Stevenson is suggesting that at our most basic levels humans have many layers.
“Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil”
Here, the adjective “alone” emphasises how unique and isolated Hyde was. In some ways, this creates a similar sympathy for Hyde as we might feel for Frankenstein’s Monster, since neither asked to be created. Here, however, Hyde is described as “pure evil.” The adjective emphasises that Hyde is nothing except “evil,” suggesting something that has only previously existed as the Devil himself – an almost religious idea. It’s not just that he does wrong, he is evil in its purest form. This highlights his separation from “mankind” as he doesn’t fit into the the “ranks” that define humanity, thus alienating him further.
“man is not truly one, but truly two”
Here, Jekyll observes that there are, in fact, two people within each of us. He uses the adjective “truly” – which simply means honestly, or factually – to emphasise himself. Here, the “two” could refer to both the civilised side of humanity – which is represented by the upper class and very respectable Henry Jekyll – and the “beast within,” Hyde. It could also be Stevenson suggesting that there isn’t as much difference between the uncivilised rabble and gentlemen as many people would like to believe. It also suggests that ideas like Good and Evil are not distinct from each other, but that we all contain elements of both.
“pale and dwarfish”
Hyde is described as “pale and dwarfish.” These adjectives both relate to him being weak or deformed. Also, although “pale” relates to a lack of life or vigour, it also has horrific connotations which link him to vampires, or anyone else who spends no time around sunlight. And “dwarfish” although linking him to being short, could also suggest that he is below other people socially as well as physically; also, that he is less well developed – or less evolved – than the civilised than the “upstanding” gentlemen of Victorian England. Also, both words suggest that Hyde was not a significant part of Jekyll – that he was “underdeveloped.” The fact that he was “pale,” suggests something ghostly or like a feint version of him, while his “dwarfish” stature also suggests that he was only a small part of a larger whole.”
“a murderous mixture of timidity and boldness”
This creates an oxymoronic image of Hyde, that perfectly describes his state. His “timidity” could come from how Hyde has not experienced the outside world so much, given that he was always hidden while he was kept in Jekyll’s id. It’s almost like the world is new to him and he often presents himself as being nervous around others. However, he also displays a “boldness” which suggests a confidence. This could present Hyde as a child who was born into the world as a man, and has the child’s naivety combined with an adults confidence. He feels as though he has the freedom to act without moral constraint, however it could also suggest that deep down he knows that his actions are wrong and fears being discovered- hence this “timidity”. Yet, the fact that he has all this combined in a “murderous mixture” completes the image of Hyde as a real character of horror: he has no conscience, no civilised, learned state; he has only the selfishness of an angry toddler who sees only what makes him happy and pursues it ruthlessly.
“troglodytic”
Here, Hyde is described using an adjective that literally means “cave dweller.” This draws comparisons with Neanderthal man, and pushes Hyde back down the evolutionary ladder. It is as if Hyde looks so primitive and animalistic that he seems prehistoric. At the time, Darwin’s theory of evolution was still quite new and Stevenson’s use of this kind of scientific term would have made his story sound authentic and trustworthy. This also relates Hyde to the “uncivilised” people who were being encountered as the British empire expanded, who were seen as being further back down the evolutionary ladder than the British.
“clubbed / trampling / like a madman”
When Hyde attacks Sir Danvers, Stevenson uses a range of verbs that make his attack sound violent and out of control. “Clubbed” relates him to cavemen – or “troglodytes” – who used to carry clubs around to batter their prey. “Trampling” highlights Hyde’s indifference to human life, showing that he doesn’t just hurt his victim—he destroys him without thought or remorse. It is also a behavior often associated with animals, particularly those that stampede or move without consideration, which further emphasises his animalistic qualities. He is described as doing this “like a madman,” a simile that makes it clear that Hyde has lost control. It is clear that Hyde is nothing like the upstanding, civilised gentleman that Jekyll would have wanted to see himself as. Also, the idea of madness as a state was relatively new in Victorian times. As a result, it would have terrified a Victorian audience as it reminded them of everything that lacked control or refinement – or the other trappings of civilisation.
“ape-like fury”
Hyde’s “ape-like fury” can be seen as a reflection of Victorian fears of degeneration- the idea that humans could regress or revert back to more primitive and less evolved forms. This simile emphasises his animalistic nature, suggesting that Hyde’s violence is driven by raw, untamed impulses. His “fury” also infers an explosive and uncontrollable energy. One that isn’t premeditated, but instead brutal and spontaneous- just like the behaviour of a wild animal.
“It seemed natural and human … a livelier image of the spirit”
When Jekyll first turns into Hyde he says that “it seemed natural and human.” It is interesting that Jekyll uses the pronoun “it” rather than him when describing Hyde. This can suggest that Jekyll often struggles to draw a distinction between Hyde and himself, often struggling to accept that they are a part of the same person. But in this first instance, Jekyll can’t even humanise Hyde with a “him” and instead objectifies Hyde by referring to “it.” Yet Jekyll then calls him “natural” – suggesting that he is normal, and acceptable – and “human,” which again shows Jekyll’s struggle to know how to define his new state.
He goes on to say that Hyde bore a “livelier image of the spirit.” The fact that Jekyll refers to the “spirit,” which is a kind of soul, infers that Jekyll is talking about something from deep inside him. He says it has a “livelier image” which suggests activity, excitement – even a childish wonder – that counters the more serious image that traditional Christian goodness entails. There is undeniably something exciting in Hyde – and it is this thrill that he eventually succumbs to.
“younger, lighter, happier”
When Jekyll first turns into Hyde, he clearly has positive feelings for his new form. He says he feels “younger, lighter, happier.” The reference to him being “younger” suggests that he has metaphorically been reborn and feels renewed. The fact that he was “lighter” could suggest his size, but the connotations here might suggest that the weight that has been lifted is actually his conscience – he no longer feels the weight of responsibility that he once did and the pressure to maintain his reputation. This is supported by the fact that he is now “happier,” again – he has no conscience and no guilt, and is therefore physically and emotionally freed.
“The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde”
In Chapter 3 Jekyll says that he can be rid of Mr Hyde at the “moment I choose.” At this point, Jekyll still believes that he is in control – that his ego has control over the base desires of his id. It is only later, as Hyde starts to take over, that we realise that he is in fact addicted to being this creature – and only later still that we see Hyde begin to take over seemingly at will. Here, Jekyll really represents the Victorian arrogance that thinks it can ever escape its flirtation with its inner animal.
“I stood already committed to a profound duality of life”
Jekyll acknowledges that even before the creation of Hyde he was “already” living a double life. The use of the word “committed” suggests that Jekyll was aware of this conflict within him and had made a conscious decision to embrace both sides of his personality: the respectable, moral side and the darker, more indulgent side. The phrase “profound duality” suggests that this division is a fundamental conflict between good and evil, and highlights the fact that this “duality” is not just part of his life, but at the very core of his existence. This reflects the repressive nature of Victorian society as they too felt compelled to hide their true desires and impulses to maintain their social standings.
“large, well-made, smooth-faced”
It is interesting to note that, other than the fact that the second half of the book is his confession, Jekyll rarely appears in the first half. When Utterson first meets him, however, he is described as being “large, well-made” and “smooth-faced.” The size of him is a clear opposite to Hyde, who is often called small or “dwarfish.” He is also “well-made” an adjective phrase that suggest a few things: firstly, that he is a “made man” – a well supported, influential member of a powerful and very rich society. But also that he was literally “made” well – his genes were strong; his upbringing and his heredity were trustworthy and stable – he is, after-all, a civilised Victorian gentleman. This, again, is in contrast to Hyde who is often described as being deformed or otherwise grotesque. It’s also a little ironic, as you could argue that Jekyll in fact made Hyde in many ways. Jekyll’s “smooth-faced” charm also suggests that he is good to look at – he is trustworthy and unblemished; though this could also suggest something untrustworthy as to be smooth is charming, but also, at times, someone to be wary of.
“It wasn’t like a man; it was like some damned Juggernaut”
Hyde is consistently dehumanised, which suggests that his physical and moral presence is so different from humanity that he cannot be identified as a “man”. Furthermore, a “juggernaut” refers to an unstoppable, destructive force, so comparing Hyde to one (through the use of a simile) conveys that Hyde is ruthless and brutal, but also mechanical; thus further distancing him from humanity.
