Setting Flashcards
“an air of invitation, like rows of smiling saleswoman”
The language and attractiveness of this part of town metaphorically suggests an active sex trade being conducted under the superficial impression of the area being reputable. The simile implies vice without it being made explicit
Writers intention: Stevenson was addressing the contextual reader of the Fin de siecle - referingvto the gothic era and end of the 19th century
Readers response: growing fears of sexuality and moral degeneration, relating to the gothic era and opposition to Christian morality.
“labyrinths of lamplighted city”
The adjective ‘lamp-lighted’ gives the readers a feeling of safety as people often assume that nothing dangerous happens in light (good)
Alliteration of ‘l’
However this is contrasted by the word ‘labyrinths’ which connotes being trapped and out of control.
As a child, Stevenson often had nightmares and it was said that Jekyll and Hyde was inspired by a nightmare of his.
This notion of the city as a fearful landscape recurs throughout the novel.
Writers intention: Stevenson paints Hyde as an urban creature and establishes a link between the urban landscape of Victorian London and the dark events surrounding Hyde - Victorian London was crime ridden, and is a popular choice for setting a gothic novel.
Readers response: urban terror of London was were people could hide sinister desires so Soho would be feared by the contextual reader
Jack the Ripper
“A great chocolate coloured pall lowered over heaven”
The ‘Urban gothic’ typically creates an intense atmosphere as the cityscape is use as the psychological focus of its narrative
‘Pall’ creates a theatrical sense but has strong connotations of death, as the cloth lain over coffins at funerals
Reference to ‘heaven’ suggests the death of morality and inherent good within the novel
Writers intention: Stevenson neglected the convention isolated setting and instead set the Novella in London to create a suspicious and tense atmosphere
Readers response: the blend of realism ( urban terror in London ) and fantasy within the novel makes it realistic and more terrifying, whilst evoking fear in the reader
