Mr Hyde Flashcards
Overview
In ‘the strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,’ Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as the dark and evil alter ego of Dr Jekyll. He is described as a small, deformed, and ugly man who inspires fear and disgust in everyone who meets him. Hyde represents Jekyll’s suppressed desires and sinful nature, acting without conscience or remorse. Hyde ultimately consumes him, illustrating the dangers of unchecked evil and duality in human nature.
Quotes
‘The man trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming.’ - Pg 2
‘Strong feeling of deformity’ - Pg 3
‘Shrank back with a hissing intake of a breath.’ - Pg 7
‘He broke out in a great flame of anger’ - Pg 12
‘Beheld the face of Edward Hyde’ - Pg 27
“The man trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming.”
Point - Hyde is presented as ruthless and remorseless, with his violent actions emphasising his inhumanity and lack of empathy for others.
Choice - Stevenson uses the oxymoron “trampled calmly” to highlight Hyde’s brutal and unfeeling nature. The calmness of the action contrasts sharply with the violence of the act, reflecting Hyde’s lack of empathy and morality.
Effect - This juxtaposition of calmness and violence shocks the reader, reinforcing Hyde’s monstrous nature. The image of trampling a helpless child with such indifference would invoke disgust, reinforcing the theme of unchecked evil. In the Victorian era, the concept of the ‘gentleman’ was central to social life, and Hyde’s actions challenge these notions of moral respectability and civility, suggesting that evil can exist within seemingly respectable people.
“Strong feeling of deformity.”
Point - Hyde is presented as having a malformation suggesting that his physical appearance reflects his inner evil.
Choice - The word “deformity” immediately suggests that Hyde is physically abnormal. In the context of Victorian values, where physical appearance was often linked to character, this suggests that Hyde’s moral corruption is outwardly visible.
Effect - This description would elicit fear and repulsion from a Victorian audience, for whom appearances were paramount. They would associate physical deformity with moral degeneration, reflecting the era’s fascination with physiognomy—the belief that a person’s outward appearance revealed their inner nature.
“Shrank back with a hissing intake of a breath.”
Point - Hyde is presented as animalistic through his violent actions and lack of moral restraint, highlighting his primitive, uncontrollable nature.
Choice - The hissing sound and animalistic imagery, “Shrank back with a hissing intake of a breath.” highlight Hyde’s primal, supernatural nature, likening him to a wild creature rather than a civilised man.
Effect - This evokes fear and unease, suggesting Hyde is something beyond human, linked to dark, supernatural forces. In Victorian society, where Darwin’s theory of evolution was gaining prominence, the idea of repressed, primitive instincts within humans was unsettling. Hyde’s animalistic qualities challenge the belief in human progress and rationality, tapping into fears about the darker, uncivilised aspects of human nature that Darwinism suggested could be lurking beneath the surface.
‘He broke out in a great flame of anger’
Point - Hyde’s violence emphasises his unchecked aggression and moral corruption, portraying him as a figure driven by impulse and savagery.
Choice - Stevenson uses the metaphor of a “flame” to describe Hyde’s anger, indicating it is explosive and uncontrollable. The verb “broke out” suggests that his rage erupts suddenly, showcasing Hyde’s violent nature.
Effect - The reader feels a sense of unease, as the violence is both intense and unrestrained. This emphasises Hyde’s unpredictability and danger. In Victorian society, where self-control was highly valued, Hyde’s violence challenges the ideal of the composed, moral man. His outbursts reflect the era’s fear of repressed instincts breaking free.
‘Beheld the face of Edward Hyde’
Point - Hyde is revealed as a manifestation of evil and repressed desires, exposing the darker side of human nature and morality.
Choice - The revelation of Hyde’s true identity, ‘Beheld the face of Edward Hyde’. The word “beheld” emphasises the gravity of the moment when Hyde’s true identity is finally seen. It suggests a moment of realization or revelation, making the reader aware of the significance of his appearance. Focusing on Hyde’s face highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as his physical form symbolises his inner evil.
Effect - The reader feels the tension of Hyde’s hidden nature being uncovered. The revelation adds suspense and unease, as Hyde’s evil is now clearly visible. In Victorian society, outward appearance was often seen as an indicator of character. Hyde’s face symbolises the concealed darkness that society feared would undermine its values of respectability and moral integrity.
