science (vs religion) Flashcards
introduction:
Stevenson’s ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ was a Victorian novella published in 1886 (during a period of scientific upheaval following Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’), which explores the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature. Here, science is presented as both a means of liberation and a source of horror, most notably through the character of Jekyll and the reactions of others- particularly Dr Lanyon.
3x key ideas for science:
- Jekyll’s experiments challenge the boundaries of science
- consequences
- reaction of Lanyon
quotes to use for paragraph 1 (Jekyll’s experiment):
“if each could be housed in separate identities, then life would be relieved of all that was unbearable”
“younger, lighter, happier”
“livelier image of the spirit”
analyse “if each could be housed in separate identities, then life would be relieved of all that was unbearable”
He declares that ‘if each could be housed in separate identities, then life would be relieved of all that was unbearable’. The verb ‘housed’ evokes a clinical, almost mechanical approach to human identity, as if one’s moral self could be confined to a physical vessel. Meanwhile the phrase ‘relieved of all that was unbearable’ hints at the psychological burden of Victorian morality, implying that Jekyll finds the pressure to conform, and the repression of his desires, intolerable. Perhaps Stevenson is illustrating how science becomes a tool for self-deception: Jekyll isn’t trying to eliminate evil, but rather outsource it to another self. This could explain why he views his initial transformation as one of exhilaration, not horror; he describes feeling ‘younger, lighter, happier’.
analyse “younger, lighter, happier”
This could explain why he views his initial transformation as one of exhilaration, not horror; he describes feeling ‘younger, lighter, happier’. The reference to him being ‘younger’ suggests that he has metaphorically been reborn and feels renewed. The fact that he was ‘lighter’ could suggest his size, but the connotations here might suggest that the weight that has been lifted is actually his conscience- he no longer feels the weight of responsibility that he once did and the pressure to maintain his reputation. This is supported by the fact that he is now ‘happier’ again- he has no conscience and no guilt, and is therefore physically and emotionally freed.
analyse “livelier image of the spirit”
Similarly, he reflects that Hyde was ‘a livelier image of the spirit’. The fact that Jekyll refers to the ‘spirit’, which is a kind of soul, infers that Jekyll is talking about something from deep inside him. He says it has a ‘livelier image’ which suggests activity, excitement- even a childish wonder- that counters the more serious image that traditional Christian goodness entails. There is undeniably something exciting in Hyde- and it is this thrill that he eventually succumbs to.
paragraph 1 analysis (Jekyll’s experiment):
Firstly, Jekyll’s experiments challenge the boundaries of science. He declares that ‘if each could be housed in separate identities, then life would be relieved of all that was unbearable’. The verb ‘housed’ evokes a clinical, almost mechanical approach to human identity, as if one’s moral self could be confined to a physical vessel. Meanwhile the phrase ‘relieved of all that was unbearable’ hints at the psychological burden of Victorian morality, implying that Jekyll finds the pressure to conform, and the repression of his desires, intolerable. Perhaps Stevenson is illustrating how science becomes a tool for self-deception: Jekyll isn’t trying to eliminate evil, but rather outsource it to another self. This could explain why he views his initial transformation as one of exhilaration, not horror; he describes feeling ‘younger, lighter, happier’. The reference to him being ‘younger’ suggests that he has metaphorically been reborn and feels renewed. The fact that he was ‘lighter’ could suggest his size, but the connotations here might suggest that the weight that has been lifted is actually his conscience- he no longer feels the weight of responsibility that he once did and the pressure to maintain his reputation. This is supported by the fact that he is now ‘happier’ again- he has no conscience and no guilt, and is therefore physically and emotionally freed. Similarly, he reflects that Hyde was ‘a livelier image of the spirit’. The fact that Jekyll refers to the ‘spirit’, which is a kind of soul, infers that Jekyll is talking about something from deep inside him. He says it has a ‘livelier image’ which suggests activity, excitement- even a childish wonder- that counters the more serious image that traditional Christian goodness entails. There is undeniably something exciting in Hyde- and it is this thrill that he eventually succumbs to.
topic sentence for paragraph 2 (consequences):
Yet, as the narrative progresses, the consequences of Jekyll’s science become increasingly horrifying.
quotes to use for paragraph 2 (consequences):
“abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature”
“my devil had long been caged, he came out roaring”
analyse “abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature”
Yet, as the narrative progresses, the consequences of Jekyll’s science become increasingly horrifying. Hyde is not merely another version of himself- he is described as ‘abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature’, which suggests that Hyde’s very existence defies natural order. He is not just flawed or sinful, but fundamentally wrong in his ‘very essence’. Thus, this scientific transformation, once empowering, becomes deeply disturbing.
analyse “my devil had long been caged, he came out roaring”
When Jekyll later admits ‘my devil had long been caged, he came out roaring’, it is clear that Jekyll now views Hyde as the personification of everything he has repressed. This is because the ‘devil’ represents the darker, primal side of human nature. It isn’t just evil, but embodies all suppressed desires and forbidden urges that a Victorian society would look down upon. The fact that it had been ‘long caged’ highlights Jekyll’s lifelong struggle to maintain a respectable facade- he had metaphorically locked away his instincts to meet these social expectations, providing an image of forced restraint and denial. Finally, it ‘came out roaring’ which evokes imagery of an animal or a monster, emphasising that Hyde, like an untamed creature acts impulsively. The adjective ‘roaring’ has connotations of aggression and an explosive release, thus inferring how unnatural it is to ‘cage’ one’s true identity.
paragraph 2 analysis (consequences):
Yet, as the narrative progresses, the consequences of Jekyll’s science become increasingly horrifying. Hyde is not merely another version of himself- he is described as ‘abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature’, which suggests that Hyde’s very existence defies natural order. He is not just flawed or sinful, but fundamentally wrong in his ‘very essence’. Thus, this scientific transformation, once empowering, becomes deeply disturbing. When Jekyll later admits ‘my devil had long been caged, he came out roaring’, it is clear that Jekyll now views Hyde as the personification of everything he has repressed. This is because the ‘devil’ represents the darker, primal side of human nature. It isn’t just evil, but embodies all suppressed desires and forbidden urges that a Victorian society would look down upon. The fact that it had been ‘long caged’ highlights Jekyll’s lifelong struggle to maintain a respectable facade- he had metaphorically locked away his instincts to meet these social expectations, providing an image of forced restraint and denial. Finally, it ‘came out roaring’ which evokes imagery of an animal or a monster, emphasising that Hyde, like an untamed creature acts impulsively. The adjective ‘roaring’ has connotations of aggression and an explosive release, thus inferring how unnatural it is to ‘cage’ one’s true identity.
topic sentence for paragraph 3 (Lanyon dramatic decline):
This unnaturalness is mirrored in the reaction of others too, particularly in Dr Lanyon’s dramatic decline.
quotes to use for paragraph 3 (Lanyon’s dramatic decline):
“I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it”
“life is shaken to the roots” “sleep has left me”
“deadliest terror” “at all hours” “shock” “never recover”
analyse “I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it”
This unnaturalness is mirrored in the reaction of others too, particularly in Dr Lanyon’s dramatic decline. The repetition in ‘I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it’, highlights the undeniable reality of what Lanyon witnessed, suggesting disbelief and horror. It is almost as if he needs to affirm to himself that the experience was real. The phrase ‘my soul sickened’ illustrates the depth of his reaction- it suggests that witnessing this experiment has affected him not just physically or emotionally, but spiritually in his ‘soul’ too. This could be linked to the Christian beliefs about the soul; Victorians believed that it was pure and eternal, but Hyde’s transformation challenges this idea, suggesting that evil can corrupt the soul itself. Therefore, Lanyon’s reaction would have terrified a religious Victorian reader
analyse “life is shaken to the roots” “sleep has left me”
This is emphasised when he admits his ‘life is shaken to the roots’ and that ‘sleep has left me’, implying that his core beliefs, sense of self and trust in the stability of the world has been deeply unsettled. Not only has Jekyll’s science impacted Lanyon’s outer life, but has also affected him to the ‘roots’, suggesting a deep, irreversible trauma. The fact that even ‘sleep has left’ him infers that his mind is haunted by what he has witnessed, as sleep is vital for peace, rest, comfort and safety. Therefore, Jekyll’s science has taken away his ability to find solace or refuge in unconsciousness, leaving him constantly on edge as though every moment is under threat
analyse “deadliest terror” “at all hours” “shock” “never recover”
This ‘terror’ has also turned psychological as it is ever-present ‘at all hours’. Finally, the use of the superlative, ‘deadliest’ infers that there is nothing worse that could happen to him- he has had such a ‘shock’, that he shall ‘never recover’ from it. This epistolary narrative therefore provides an eyewitness account, forcing the reader to share his shock and disbelief, thus making the horror of science feel inescapable.
paragraph 3 analysis (Lanyon’s dramatic decline):
This unnaturalness is mirrored in the reaction of others too, particularly in Dr Lanyon’s dramatic decline. The repetition in ‘I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it’, highlights the undeniable reality of what Lanyon witnessed, suggesting disbelief and horror. It is almost as if he needs to affirm to himself that the experience was real. The phrase ‘my soul sickened’ illustrates the depth of his reaction- it suggests that witnessing this experiment has affected him not just physically or emotionally, but spiritually in his ‘soul’ too. This could be linked to the Christian beliefs about the soul; Victorians believed that it was pure and eternal, but Hyde’s transformation challenges this idea, suggesting that evil can corrupt the soul itself. Therefore, Lanyon’s reaction would have terrified a religious Victorian reader. This is emphasised when he admits his ‘life is shaken to the roots’ and that ‘sleep has left me’, implying that his core beliefs, sense of self and trust in the stability of the world has been deeply unsettled. Not only has Jekyll’s science impacted Lanyon’s outer life, but has also affected him to the ‘roots’, suggesting a deep, irreversible trauma. The fact that even ‘sleep has left’ him infers that his mind is haunted by what he has witnessed, as sleep is vital for peace, rest, comfort and safety. Therefore, Jekyll’s science has taken away his ability to find solace or refuge in unconsciousness, leaving him constantly on edge as though every moment is under threat. This ‘terror’ has also turned psychological as it is ever-present ‘at all hours’. Finally, the use of the superlative, ‘deadliest’ infers that there is nothing worse that could happen to him- he has had such a ‘shock’, that he shall ‘never recover’ from it. This epistolary narrative therefore provides an eyewitness account, forcing the reader to share his shock and disbelief, thus making the horror of science feel inescapable.
conclusion for science:
Therefore, Stevenson presents science as a double-edged sword- leading to both scientific advancement and moral corruption. Perhaps Stevenson is trying to warn the Victorian (and modern) audience against the unchecked pursuit of scientific knowledge. He shows that while it may offer power and liberation, it can also unleash chaos and destruction.
