Language and Dialogue

Question 1

Give an example of formal speech from the novella.

Answer 1

Utterson says to Poole “Your master seems to repose a great deal of trust” in Hyde. This formal language reflects Utterson’s social status as a respectable gentleman.

Question 2

What name does Utterson use for Jekyll which shows they’re good friends?

Answer 2

Utterson calls Jekyll “Harry”, which is a common nickname for “Henry”

Question 3

Give one way that Hyde’s dialogue is different to the dialogue of a typical Victorian gentleman.

Answer 3

Hyde’s dialogue is often less polite than that of a typical Victorian gentleman — he asks blunt questions, such as “what do you want?”.

Question 4

What features of Utterson’s language make him sound like a typical Victorian gentleman?
Give examples in your answer.

Answer 4

Utterson speaks politely, which would be appropriate for a Victorian gentleman. For example, when talking to Lanyon he describes Hyde as Jekyll’s “protégé”, meaning Hyde is taught and guided by Jekyll. Utterson actually thinks the relationship between the two is more sinister, so this tactful description shows his politeness. Utterson’s dialogue is also rational and calm, which was typical of Victorian gentlemen. E.g. When Poole comes to speak to him, Utterson calmly says “take your time, and tell me plainly what you want”.

Question 5

How does Lanyon’s language emphasises that he is unafraid to voice his opinions?
Use examples in your answer.

Answer 5

Lanyon voices strong opinions on Jekyll’s scientific work throughout the novella. When talking to Utterson, he describes it as “fanciful” and “unscientific balderdash”. This blunt language shows that he makes no attempt to hide his disdain for Jekyll’s experiments, even though he knows that Utterson is one of Jekyll’s closest friends.

Question 6

Which of these characters doesn’t speak in a colloquial (informal) way?
A. Poole
B. Guest
C. Inspector Newcomen

Answer 6

B. Guest uses formal language and vocabulary such as “elicited” and “singular”

Question 7

Choose one character from Question 1 and give an example where they use non-standard grammar.

Answer 7

Poole uses non-standard grammar when Utterson asks if Jekyll trusts Hyde — Poole replies “he do indeed”.

Question 8

What do Jekyll’s servants call him?
What does this show about their relationship?

Answer 8

The servants call Jekyll “master” or “sir”. This shows they have a lower social status than Jekyll. As their employer, he is their superior and has control over them.

Question 9

How does Jekyll’s language change as Hyde gains more power over him?
Give examples in your answer.

Answer 9

Jekyll’s language becomes more nervous. At the beginning of the novella, Jekyll speaks with confidence when he says “I can be rid of Mr Hyde.” However, as Hyde gains more control, Jekyll’s language becomes fragmented. E.g. when Utterson invites him out he says “no, no, no, it is quite impossible”. The repetition of the interjection “no” suggests that Jekyll is anxious.

Question 10

‘Poole’s dialogue is more than the dialogue of the gentleman characters.’
Do you agree?
Explain your answer.

Answer 10

Poole’s dialogue is more emotional than the dialogue of gentleman characters in the novella because he openly admits that he is “afraid”. Although gentleman characters act in a way that shows emotion at times (e.g. Lanyon speaks in a “loud, unsteady voice” after encountering Hyde), Poole expresses his emotions more freely, acknowledging his fear in a way that gentleman characters rarely do.

Question 11

Is the narrator’s language in the novella formal or informal?
Give an example in your answer.

Answer 11

The narrator uses formal language. For example, Utterson is introduced using his title and occupation (“Mr Utterson the lawyer”) which is a formal way to introduce someone.

Question 12

Give an example where Stevenson uses a word or phrase with a double meaning.

Answer 12

When Hyde flees after Carew’s murder, he disappears “as though he had never existed”. At first this just seems to highlight that Hyde has completely vanished, but it is later revealed that Hyde never did exist because he was part of Jekyll.

Question 13

Give one way the maid’s story in ‘The Carew Murder Case’ is made to seem like a police report.

Answer 13

The maid’s account includes times, which make it sound precise like a police report. She goes “upstairs to bed about eleven” and wakes from her faint at “two o’clock”.

Question 14

Hyde is often described with similes. What effect does this have on the reader?
Explain your answer.

Answer 14

The similes make Hyde seem more mysterious, as they suggest that characters are unable to actually describe his features — they can only describe him by comparing him to other things. They also emphasise how evil Hyde is, as he is only compared to negative things like “Satan”.

Question 15

Stevenson describes London as a “drowned city”.
What effect does this have?

Answer 15

The description of London as a “drowned city” emphasises how dense the fog is in London, and makes it seem like the city is so smothered by that it is drowning. This metaphor also links the city to death, which adds to the ominous atmosphere in the text.