Key quotes Flashcards
Duality
Man is not truly one but two
Jekyll, Chapter ten
In the final chapter of the novella, Jekyll considers the duality of man, which is revealed in his letter. Stevenson presents the theme of duality primarily in the character of Jekyll as his inner sinister desires and his outward respectable persona are in conflict with each other leading to the creation of Hyde. Stevenson is concerned about the duality of human nature and society in general and considers the idea that everyone is capable of good and evil deeds.
Good and evil
My devil had long been caged; he came out roaring
Jekyll, Chapter 10
Stevenson associates Hyde with Christian ideas about Hell and Satan and Jekyll repeatedly refers to him as “my devil”. Hyde’s sinister presence and actions are a constant reminder of the power of evil throughout the novella. He invokes terror in other characters and again this may hint at the possibility of the inner evil and depraved nature that resides within each person.
Good and evil
all human beings … are commingled out of good and evil
Jekyll, Chapter 10
In this quote, Jekyll reveals the duality of good and evil in all human beings.
Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement of evil within the novella.
Jekyll believes that it is the “curse of mankind” that good and evil are bound together within him and the two parts are in direct conflict with one another.
Secrecy and reputation
Though he enjoyed the theatre, [Mr Utterson] had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years
Narrator, Chapter 1
Stevenson presents Utterson as a highly moral and devout Christian and he is depicted as a model Victorian gentleman
He is described as being “austere with himself” and that he restricting his pleasures and even though he enjoys attending the theatre, he had not frequented one for twenty years, due to their somewhat poor reputation
This quote suggests that Utterson has repressed his desire for theatre as perhaps the enjoyment of theatre may lead him to sinful thoughts
Secrecy and reputation
something eminently human beaconed in his eye
Narrator, Chapter 1
Gabriel Utterson is presented as having “an approved tolerance for others” and Stevenson suggests he is a kind and genial character
Stevenson presents Utterson as a respectable lawyer and as a trustworthy, discreet and loyal friend to Jekyll
He is presented as both rational and calm and through his objective perspective, Stevenson enables the reader to judge the evidence alongside him
Science and religion (paired quotes)
“My Hyde was pale and dwarfish, he gave an impression of deformity”
“And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot”
Narrator, Chapter 2 & 4
Both of these quotes describe the character of Hyde to the reader
Hyde is described throughout in terms of animalistic imagery which increases as the novella develops: “savage”, “snarled”, “with ape-like fury” and “hardly human” all allude to his aggressive, predatory and primitive nature
Stevenson’s deliberate use of animal imagery is used to suggest Hyde’s separateness from human society and his unrestrained nature
It could also be an allusion to Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution:
That human being are descended from apes
Stevenson suggests that “he gives a strong feeling of deformity” though he does not specify what this deformity is
This casts an uncertainty as to Hyde’s character and also hints at a supernatural element as the descriptions of him are quite ambiguous
Science and religion (paired quotes)
“My life is shaken to its roots”
“I ask myself if I believe it, and I cannot answer”
Lanyon, Chapter 9
Stevenson positions Lanyon as the only character to witness Jekyll’s transformation as his belief in the laws of science does not enable him to accept what he has witnessed
Lanyon is a respectable and conventional scientist and stands in contrast to Jekyll, as he views Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and describes them as “scientific balderdash”
Lanyon’s shock at Jekyll’s experiment is so great that it leads to his own physical and mental deterioration and subsequent death
