Jekyll & Hyde Flashcards
Stevenson’s Intentions : Jekyll
- Presents him in a paradoxical and unorthodox manner to demonstrate the consequences of the repressive and stifling nature of Victorian norms
- Jekyll is a representative of a Victorian gentleman juxtaposing Hyde’s depravity : reveals ambiguity between blurred lines of mortality and immortality in Victorian Society as well as good and evil
“A large ____-____ smooth-_____ man of fifty .. every mark of ________ and kindness” (Jekyll)
“A large well-made smooth-faces man of fifty .. every mark of capacity and kindness” (Jekyll)
“A large well-made smooth-faces man of fifty .. every mark of capacity and kindness” (Jekyll)
Analysis
- Duality
- Appearance vs Reality
- Repression
Paradoxical Description -
- the phrase “smooth faced man of fifty” is unorthodox perhaps paradoxical as a fifty year old man would typically have wrinkles and signs pf age
- May made the reader sceptical of Jekyll
Foreshadowing & Syntax -
- The placement of “mark” and “kindness” may foreshadow a hidden stain on Jekyll’s morality
- The flawless consequences of such repression
- Jekyll’s sanities appearance becomes an ironic counterpoint to the barbaric Hyde lurking underneath
“If I am the cheif __ _______ I am the _____ __ _________ also” (Jekyll)
“If I am the cheif of sinner I am the cheif of sufferers also” (Jekyll)
“If I am the cheif of sinner I am the cheif of sufferers also” (Jekyll)
Analysis
- Duality
- App vs Reality
- Repression
- Good vs Evil
- Science vs Religion
Sibilance -
- Blurs the lines between these concepts suggesting an intertwined relationship
- As Jekyll is a representative for a Victorian Gentleman it reveals the ambiguity and blurred lines between morality and immortality
Biblical Allusions -
- Despite Jekyll’s religious transgressions in his pursuit of “scientific balderdash” he acknowledges he is still a subject to divine condemnation
- Biblical allusion to hell accentuates that despite his defiance he remains accountable to God’s judgement
“My devil ___ ____ ____ caged, he came out _______” (Jekyll)
“My devil had long been caged, he came out roaring” (Jekyll)
“My devil had long been caged, he came out roaring” (Jekyll)
Analysis
- Duality
- Repression
- App vs Reality
- Good vs Evil
- Science vs Religion
Verb “caged” -
- Doesn’t only signify societal and religious repression but shows the them of suffering through the repression
- “caged” and “roaring” had animalistic connotations linking with the evolution theory
- Critiques the repression and fear of scientific theories
Zoomorphism -
- His desires are portrayed as “roaring” that hints at a descent into his primitive form
- Jekyll’s transition into the “devil” Hyde was because of his indulgence into pleasures didn’t meet societal expectations
Stevenson’s Intentions : Hyde
- Exaggerated manifestation of the dangers of repression
- Reveals the savage lurking beneath the surface of even the most respectable gentleman
- Reveals ambiguity and blurred lines between morality and immorality in Victorian society
“there is _________ _____ with his __________; something ___________, something downright __________” (Enfield - about Hyde)
“there is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” (ch1 enfield)
“there is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” (Enfield - about Hyde)
analysis
- duality
- appearance vs reality
- repression
- science vs religion
- good vs evil
Physiognomy (a persons looks reflect on their
true nature) -
- This displays the Victorians upholding the theory of physiognomy, that a persons character was revealed through looks.
- He also satirises and mocks the idea of physiognomy through the pristine presentation of Dr Jekyll and his intrinsic relationship with Hyde
Alliteration -
- The alliterave “d” sounds in “downright detestable” emphaises the magnitude
of Hyde’s physical and moral inhumanity.
- This monstrous depiction is used to juxtapose the “smooth” unblemished façade of Dr Jekyll. - - This symbolises the ability for immorality to lurk beneath the polished surface of Victorian
standard and morals
“with ape like fury, he was trampling his victim” (Hyde)
Analysis
- Repression
- Apperance vs reality
- Science vs religion
- Good vs evil
Animalistic simile -
- The animalistic simile “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 Hydes violent and amoral tendencies, prompting an evolution
towards a more barbaric state
Careless verb “trampling” -
- the repetition of the brutish and careless verb “trampling” as echoed in
- chapter 1 where he “trampled calmy” over a little girl, illustrates his uncontrollable love for
violence and aggression.
Evolution Theory -
- Forces Victorians to confront the concept of animalistic inheritance
- Fear due to theory questioning religion in the very Christian society
Stevenson’s Intentions : Utterson
- Critiques the self-imposed rigidity encouraged by Victorian societal norms
- Through Utterson, he scrutinises the suffocating sternness ingrained in the stereotypical Victorian Gentleman
- Utterson does not exhibit the duality of Jekyll, but he has his suppressed desires and darker curiosity
- Repression of impulses is not exclusive to Jekyll, but a universal aspect of human nature
“if he be __ ____ … I shall be __ ____” (Utterson)
“if he be Mr Hyde … I shall be Mr Seek”
“if he be Mr Hyde … I shall be Mr Seek” (Utterson)
analysis
- Duality
- Repression
- App vs Reality
- Good vs Evil
Symbolism -
- “hyde” and “seek” represent the inherent duality within humanity
- Even within Utterson Stevenson reveals fascination and curiosity that lurks beneath the facade of a respectable Victorian gentleman.
Homophone of “Hyde” -
- Introduces the concept of disguise and illusion
- Stevenson utilises this to expose the limitations of Victorian physiognomy
“He was _______ with him self; drank ___ when __ ___ _____, to _______ a taste for ________” (Utterson)
“He was austere with him self; drank gin when
he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages”
“He was austere with him self; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages” (Utterson)
analysis
- Appearance vs Reality
- Duality
- Repression
- Good vs Evil
Adjective “austere” -
- Connotes self-imposed strictness
- Utterson is vital for examining the repressive nature of Victorian society
Choice of “gin” -
- Interesting he drinks “gin” when alone, has a great alcohol content
- Drunkness is associated with withdrawal from inhibitions
- He needs this to respite from the austerity he faces in society
- Gin is cheap alcohol
- Drink of the lower class
- Drinks it alone to avoid tarnishing his reputation
“It is one thing to _______ _________, another to _______ it” (Utterson)
“It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to
conquer it”
“It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it” (Utterson)
Analysis
- Duality
- Repression
- App vs reality
- Good vs evil
“conquer” image of battle” -
- Evokes imagery of a battlefield and
warfare, suggesting a metaphorical struggle
within Utterson as he actively battles with his
own human nature.
- Paints Utterson as having an internal conflict - Utterson perceives his natural curiosity as an
enemy to be defeated
Juxtaposition -
- “mortify” and “conquer” highlight the difference between suppressing curiosity and eradicating it.
- Utterson’s relentless effort to subdue his
curiosity reflect a deeply ingrained societal
conditioning, wherein the repression natural
impulses is glorified as an achievement
Stevenson’s Intentions : Enfield
- Enfield subtly keeps the notion of duality afloat
- Appears to have his own secrets but also being a respectable gentleman
- Suggest duplicity is not an exclusive condition of Jekyll, rather a trope amongst individuals in Victorian Society
- Stevenson exposes hypocrist of Victorian society through Enfield
“I was ______ ____ from some _____ __ ___ ___of the world about _____ _‘_____ of a _____ ______ _______” (Enfield)
“I was coming home from some place at the end of the world about three o’clock of a black winter morning” (Enfield)
“I was coming home from some place at the end of the world about three o’clock of a black winter morning” (Enfield)
Analysis
- Duality
- App vs Reality
- Repression
- Friendship + loyalty
The Setting -
- Enfield appearing as a perfect example of a respectable gentleman possesses a concealed duality
- Subtly parallels the extreme duality of Jekyll
- “three o’clock of a black winter morning” implies secrecy or scandal
- early hours are typically reserved for undignified activities
- Stevenson introduces the novellas central theme of the duplicity inherent in the Victorian ideal
“The more it _____ l___ _____ s____t, the less _ ___” (Enfield)
“The more it looks like queer street, the less I ask”
“The more it looks like queer street, the less I ask” (Enfield)
Analysis
- Duality
- App vs Reality
- Repression
- Friendship + Loyalty
Colloquialism “queer street” -
- Accentuating the shared understanding between Utterson and Enfield through informal language
Euphemism “queer street! -
- Hints at deliberate avoidance of confronting the truth and acknowledging the gravity of the atrocities he has witnessed
- Subtly criticises curiosity, suggesting that Utterson’s investigative nature may defy societal norms
- Despite his duality evidenced, he remains bound to upholding Victorian conventions
Stevenson’s Intentions : Lanyon
- Lanyon’s exaggerated death doesn’t just ridicule the fragility of Victorian ideals; he exposes a deeper crisis caused by a disruption to worldwide views
- Death becomes preferable to the complete dismantling of this meticulously constructed world views
“such ____________ ______dash… would have _________ D____ and P______” - (Lanyon)
“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - Enfield
“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - (Lanyon)
Analysis
Rationalism -
- The dichotomy between Dr Jekyll and Dr Lanyon, Stevenson explores scientific rationalism and the allure of the unknown
- Lanyon embodies rationalism, dismissing Jekyll’s experiments as “unscientific balderdash”
- Exposes their opposing perspectives on science and worldviews
Mythological Allusion -
- “Damon” and “Pythias” serves to ridicule him as a scientist revealing his beliefs extend beyond the purely scientific realm
“My life is ______ __ ___ _____” - (Lanyon)
“My life is shaken to its roots” - Enfield
“My life is shaken to its roots” - (Lanyon)
Analysis
- Duality
-App vs Reality - Repression
- Friendship + Loyalty
- Good vs Evil
Natural metaphor -
- Represents how physical and symbolically these unorthodox and unnatural experiments have uprooted every aspect of Lanyon’s existence
“Shaken” Connotes -
- Disruption
- Stevenson through Lanyon’s reaction doesn’t just ridicule the fragility of Victorian ideals
-Exposed a deeper existential crisis one caused by a disruption to rigid worldwide views
