LIT3 - J+H - Jekyll/Hyde/Setting quote analysis

Question 1

the man trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming

Answer 1

-oxymoron of “trampled calmly” shows his sadistic nature, and does not care about the consequences of his terrible actions
-the innocent child is used to highlight the tension between her goodness and Hyde’s aggression

Question 2

gave me one look, so ugly that it brought out the sweat on me like running

Answer 2

-exaggerates his appearance, to emphasise how the presence of Hyde is enough to evoke disgust in any bystander
-gothic reaction to reinforce this

Question 3

like Satan

Answer 3

-simile used to compare H. to absolute evil
-portrays Hyde as battling with the rest of the proprietary Victorian society as a frightening outsider

Question 4

something displeasing, something downright detestable

Answer 4

-gothic trope of the indescribable makes him seem like some frightening outsider of Victorian society
-hard “d” sounds amplify the distressing emotions he feels about Hyde

Question 5

my master…a tall fine build of a man - and this was more of a dwarf

Answer 5

-stark contrasts of Hyde and Jekyll heightens their differences, ironic how they are actually one person
-noun “dwarf” implies his supernatural inclination, where he fulfils his most primitive desires

Question 6

masked thing like a monkey…it went down my spine like ice

Answer 6

-masked thing is a repeated motif in chapter 8, giving the idea of secrecy and seclusion (relates to J. hiding his alter-ego)
-simile with zoomorphism links to the idea of atavism
-gothic reaction

Question 7

a dismal screech, as of mere animal terror

Answer 7

-a horrific onomatopoeic description using sounds
-adjective “dismal” suggests how Hyde is troubled/tormented
-more zoomorphism

Question 8

smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps

Answer 8

-hints that there is something deceptive/untrustworthy about him
-contrasts him with the positive description previously

Question 9

the large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes

Answer 9

-strong emotional reaction
-worried that his secret may be exposed

After Utterson mentions Hyde to Jekyll

Question 10

I swear to God I will never set eyes on him again. I bind my honour to you that I am done with him

Answer 10

-strong religious message, important in Victorian society
-shows his loyalty to his friend as a respectable Victorian gentleman early in the novella (but it clearly doesn’t stick, showing how Hyde’s evil has corrupted him)

Question 11

I burnt it. But it bore no postmark. The note was handed in

Answer 11

-short syntax, stressed about his transgression
-worried it may ruin his reputation

Question 12

“Henry Jekyll forge for a murderer!” And his blood ran cold in his veins

Answer 12

-disbelief in his supposedly trustworthy friend, making it even more shocking as Jekyll was initially presented as a loyal person
-drives the plot
-visceral gothic reaction

Question 13

he covered his face for a moment with his hands

Answer 13

-J. is grieving for his innocence as seen from U.’s perspective
-ironic, in reality it is him grieving about his alter-ego murdering Carew and the unintended consequences that may arise from it

Question 14

an infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner

Answer 14

-hyperbolic expression to display his regret, perhaps reflecting Hyde’s troubled nature
-simile of prisoner to show his feeling of entrapment by his alter-ego Hyde, suggesting that evil is winning over goodness

-foreshadows his demise in chapter 8

Question 15

an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen

Answer 15

-intense gothic reaction
-contrast of the horror with the Victorian gentlemen

Question 16

the smile was struck out of his face

Answer 16

-sibilance quickens the pace at which the positive noun “smile” was removed forcefully with the verb “struck”
-strong juxtaposition, duality of Jekyll’s smile and Hyde’s forceful character

Jekyll does not transform into Hyde at the window - he is just severely emotionally distraught due to his ongoing struggles.

Question 17

the pangs of transformation…lifted his clasped hands to God

Answer 17

-contrast between the agonising “pangs” and the repentance to “God”, showing J.’s severe regret for committing such a transgression
-magnifies the tension between his scientific nature and the strongly religious Victorian society

Question 18

sought with tears and prayers

Answer 18

reiterates the religious message against the evil of J.’s transgression

Question 19

these agonies began to swiftly subside, and I came to myself as if out of a great sickness

Answer 19

-metaphor of “sickness” could refer to the heavy expectations of Victorian society
-no longer has to carry the weight of his own reputation as a respectable Victorian gentleman, and is free to fulfill his primitive desires

Question 20

thrust forward its gable

Answer 20

personifies the gable with violent verb “thrust”, similar to that of Hyde

Question 21

the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence

Answer 21

-extended periods of neglect
-represents Hyde’s troubled soul

Question 22

equipped with neither bell nor knocker

Answer 22

-implies seclusion and secrecy
-relates to Jekyll hiding his alter-ego, and also Hyde being a frightening outsider

Question 23

furnished with luxury and good taste

Answer 23

-reflects Jekyll’s sophisticated personality
-contrasted later with other things

Question 24

the rooms bore every mark of having being recently and hurriedly ransacked

Answer 24

-contrasts with the earlier mentioned luxury
-duality, links to Jekyll’s personality

Question 25

lock-fast drawers stood open

Answer 25

questions raised about why Hyde had locks

This is in Hyde’s house, but they are effectively the same as they use each others

Question 26

dingy, windowless structure…distasteful sense of strangeness

Answer 26

-idea of lacking contact with society, further implying Hyde as being a frightening outsider
-sibilance used has sinister connotations, and indicates something is not right, raising suspicion of Jekyll’s true personality

Question 27

the fog began to lie thickly

Answer 27

-pathetic fallacy around Jekyll’s house
-fog raises further ambiguity around Jekyll