Repression Flashcards
“The man trampled calmly”
“Something displeasing”
The graphic violence is described with a restrained formal tone which is seen in the matter of fact descriptions of “the man trampled calmly” and “something displeasing”. The lack of description means the reader is forced to imagine and embellish the events themselves, leading to potentially more horrific images being created in the minds of the reader.
“Storm of blows”
“Audibly shattered”
In contrast to this restrained description of violence through Hyde trampling “calmly”, the murder of Carew is especially brutal. The metaphor “storm of blows” and the auditory imagery “audibly shattered” are graphically violent, demonstrating Hyde’s true nature. The violence which has suddenly erupted from Hyde implies that he is a concentrated form of everything Jekyll has repressed. Indeed, it could be interpreted that Hyde’s violence is a product of the repressive, upper class Victorian society
“concealed [his] pleasures”
“indeed the worst of my faults was a certain impatient gaiety of disposition, such as has made the happiness of many”
In the final chapter, Dr Jekyll explains how he felt he had “concealed [his] pleasures” in society. He creates Hyde as a release from this repression. He references the atmosphere of repression he was born into, and mentions how “indeed the worst of my faults was a certain impatient gaiety of disposition, such as has made the happiness of many”, suggesting repression is a societal issue not just one personal to his own character.
“cold, scanty and embarrassed”
Mr Utterson is described as “cold, scanty and embarrassed”, typical traits of a repressed Victorian gentleman. Throughout the novella, it becomes evident that he channels his passions into his investigation as well as his profession.
