Jekyll Hyde Quotes for each theme

Question 1

Reputation

Answer 1

“If it came to trial your name might appear”- Shows how Utterson values reputation and “credit” rather than actually bringing Hyde to Trial, which causes utterson problems, because he only sees reputation as important he holds onto the idea of blackmail until the very last moment

“Sea of liberty”- Shows how Jekyll associates Hyde with freedom

“Sir if that was my master, why would he a mask upon his face”
- Reputations aren’t to be trusted because they are based on appearances. A person’s reputation is the version of themselves that they want the world to see

Question 2

Good and Evil/ Duality of man

Answer 2

“Braced and delighted me like wine”- Juxtaposition to the opening description of “Austere” Utterson, Shows how the lines of good and evil are ambiguous and not clearly defined as antithetical concepts

“Lean long dusty dreary, yet somehow loveable”- Asyndetic list with a paradoxical element- Shows how it is difficult to identify/seperate good and evil

Hyde is created in the “black of night”- which causes the reader to associate hyde with evil, however later in the novella Jekyll wakes up as Hyde and changes in midday-symbolising the overthrowal of Jekyll, Stevenson leaves us with the prospect that our evil desires can overpower us

Question 3

Science and religion

Answer 3

Jekyll’s drugs “shook the doors of the prisonhouse of disposition.” This strong language shows that Jekyll feels the sinful side of his personality was trapped by the more respectable side

• Hyde’s transformation into Jekyll has religious connotations. Before the transformation, Hyde promiss that Lanyon’s “sight shall be blasted” as the truth is unveiled to him. Hyd’es language has religious undertones- he describes the transformations as a kind of miracle. This encourages the reader to view the transformation as both a spiritual and scientific event.

-Stevenson was an atheist, so although he is giving a Christian message it could be argued that he is also subtly undermining it

Question 4

Secrecy/Mystery

Answer 4

Utterson has done “many ill things” in his past, but he doesn’t say what these are. This makes his actions appear shameful, even though his past is “fairly blameless”

The back door to Jekyll’s house has “neither bell nor knocker” and it’s associated with Hyde

The back door to Jekyll’s house has “neither bell nor knocker” and it’s associated with Hyde

Question 5

Temptations

Answer 5

“Mortify a taste for vintages”

Question 6

Animal Instincts

Answer 6

Hyde is often described with animal characteristics. He is said to ‘hiss’
and ‘snarl’. Witnesses describe him as ‘ape-like’, and he is frequently
referred to as a ‘creature’. Hyde represents the ‘lower elements’ of Jekyll’s
character.
These details should be considered in the context of Charles Darwin’s
book, On the Origin of Species, which was published in 1859. this book
introduced the theory of evolution

Question 7

Violence

Answer 7

“Damned Juggernaut”

Question 8

Friendship

Answer 8

“At sight of Mr. Utterson, he sprang up from his chair and welcomed him with both hands

Question 9

Setting

Answer 9

“Degrees and hues of twilight”- In soho the light is always changing, this symbolises the narrative as only parts of the truth can be seen at any one time

When Utterson visits Soho, it “Cut him off” from his surroundings. Stevenson uses the fog to isolate characters and restrict their view of events.- Which also creates the effect of gaps in the narrative