Respectability Flashcards
Overview
In The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, respectability drives the characters’ actions, with Dr. Jekyll desperately trying to maintain his esteemed social status. His transformation into Hyde allows him to indulge in his darker impulses without tarnishing his outward image. This struggle reveals the dangers of upholding respectability at the cost of personal integrity and morality.
Quotes
‘We could and would make such a scandal out of this’ - Pg 2
‘Must have secrets of his own; black secrets’ - Pg 9
‘If it came to a trial your name might appear’ - Pg 15
‘I concealed my pleasures’ - Pg 34
‘Must have secrets of his own; black secrets’
Point - Stevenson suggests that respectability is often a façade, hiding the dark secrets of even the most outwardly respectable men.
Choice - The phrase “must have secrets of his own; black secrets” implies that even the most respectable men hide immoral truths. The adjective “black” suggests something corrupt and shameful, linking secrecy to moral decay.
Effect - It creates intrigue and reinforces the idea that Victorian gentlemen, despite their outward respectability, often harboured dark, hidden sins.
In Victorian society, reputation was paramount. Many concealed their vices to maintain social standing, making them vulnerable to blackmail and scandal, as seen in Jekyll’s double life.
‘If it came to a trial your name might appear’
Point - Stevenson presents respectability as fragile, forcing individuals like Jekyll to hide their true selves.
Choice - The phrase “if it came to a trial your name might appear” highlights the fear of public exposure. The conditional “if” suggests the fragility of Jekyll’s reputation, while “might appear” implies that even association with a crime could lead to scandal.
Effect - It reinforces the theme that maintaining a respectable image was more important than morality, as even suspicion could destroy a man’s standing. In Victorian society, reputation defined a gentleman’s status. Public disgrace could lead to social and professional ruin, forcing individuals like Jekyll to lead double lives.
‘We could and would make such a scandal out of this’
Point - Stevenson highlights the Victorian obsession with respectability, showing how fear of scandal and social ruin led individuals to prioritise appearance over genuine morality.
Choice - The repetition of “could and would” emphasises Enfield’s certainty that public exposure would ruin a reputation. The word “scandal” reflects Victorian society’s obsession with maintaining respectability, where any hint of disgrace could lead to social ruin.
Effect - The reader sees how deeply reputation and respectability govern Victorian life. Enfield’s focus on scandal, rather than morality, highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class, who prioritised maintaining a respectable image over true virtue. In Victorian society, a damaged reputation could lead to financial and social downfall. Blackmail and secrecy were common, as individuals feared exposure of hidden sins that would undermine their respectability.
‘I concealed my pleasures’
Point - Stevenson presents respectability as a restrictive societal force that pressures individuals leading to secrecy and self-destruction.
Choice - Stevenson uses the verb “concealed” to highlight Jekyll’s deliberate suppression of his darker, more immoral desires. This word choice emphasises his repression and fear of exposure, directly linking to the theme of secrecy and the Victorian obsession with respectability.
Effect - The reader sees how deeply the need for respectability controls Jekyll’s actions, creating a tension between his outward appearance and hidden desires. His concealment of his true self reflects the hypocrisy of Victorian society, where maintaining a respectable image was often valued over genuine morality. This pressure to conform leads Jekyll to repression, showing how the strict expectations of respectability can drive individuals to secrecy and ultimately to self-destruction.
