Themes Flashcards
Through what quote does Jekyll present the theme of duality?
“Man is not truly one, but truly two.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Man is not truly one, but truly two.”
Jekyll says this in Chapter ten in his confessional letter to Utterson.
Analyse how duality is shown in the quote, “Man is not truly one, but truly two.”
- Everyone is capable of good and evil deeds
- Repetition of ‘truly’ emphasises Jekyll’s belief of dual nature
- Could represent the civilised side of humanity (upper class) and its beastly side
In what quote does Jekyll again present the theme of duality?
“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
Jekyll writes this in his letter, in response to Utterson’s letter in which Utterson complained of his exclusion from Jekyll’s house and Lanyon’s disagreement with Jekyll.
Analyse how the quote shows Jekyll’s duality: “If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
- Superlatives emphasise his dire and regretful actions
- Anitithesis between “sufferers” and “sinners” highlights his duplicity
- Jekyll has to pay the punishment for his sins
How is duality shown through the description of Jekyll and Hyde?
“Large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll.”
“Mr. Hyde was pale and dwarfish.”
Analyse how the following quotes display duality:
“Large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll.”
“Mr. Hyde was pale and dwarfish.”
- Jekyll is a well-respected gentleman which is reflected in his appearance (physionogmy)
- Hyde is somewhat malformed and not fully developed - he’s part of a whole
What quote shows the theme of duality within setting?
“[Door] blistered and disdained.”
“[Door] wore a great air of wealth and comfort.”
Meaning & context of quotes:
“[Door] blistered and disdained.”
“[Door] wore a great air of wealth and comfort.”
The first quote describes the entrance to Hyde’s house whereas the second quote describes how Jekyll’s house is presented.
Analyse how duality is shown through setting in the following quotes.
“[Door] blistered and disdained.”
“[Door] wore a great air of wealth and comfort.”
- Metaphor shows Jekyll’s house is well cared for - like him
- Door to Hyde’s house is uninviting and sickly
- Setting shows duality between Jekyll’s welcoming facade and his sinister character underneath
What quote presents Hyde’s violence in the novel?
“All of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger.”
Context of the quote: “All of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger.”
Describes Hyde’s interaction with Sir Danvers Carew.
Analyse how violence is displayed in the quote, “All of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger.”
- Metaphor of the flame shows the volatility and power of Hyde’s irrational anger
- “All of a sudden” conveys that he is unpredicatable
What quote shows Hyde as violence toward the young girl?
“The man trampled calmly over the child’s body.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “The man trampled calmly over the child’s body.”
Enfield recounts his first interaction with Hyde, where he witnesses him trampling over a girl.
Analyse how Hyde’s violence is introduced in the quote: “The man trampled calmly over the child’s body.”
- The girl’s youth and innocence makes the attack more brutal
- First impression of Hyde is gothic and establishes him as cruel
- Oxymoron of ‘trampled calmly’ shows Hyde’s indifferent disregard for human life
What quotes show Hyde’s interaction with Carew as violent?
“With ape-like fury.”
“Like a madman.”
Analyse how Hyde is showcased as violent in the quotes:
“With ape-like fury.”
“Like a madman.”
- Simile presents Hyde as uncivilised and animalistic, which directly contrasts Jekyll’s characteristics
- Hyde’s murder of Carew can show a a disdain for the upper class and its norms
What quote shows the theme of violence through setting?
“Sinister block of building thrust forward its gable on the street.”
Meaning & context of the quote, “Sinister block of building thrust forward its gable on the street.”
The narrator is describing the settings in Chapter one.
How is violence conveyed in the quote, “Sinister block of building thrust forward its gable on the street.”
- Verb “thrust” is very abrupt and emphasises that it doesn’t belong there
- Alliteration of the letter ‘b’ makes the surroundings seem more harsh and unwelcoming
What quote shows the importance of reputation in the novel?
“Make his name stink from one end of London to the other.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Make his name stink from one end of London to the other.”
Enfield and the doctor discuss how to deal with Hyde’s trampling of the innocent girl. They suggest destroying his reputation so he can lose his credit.
Analyse how the theme of reputation is shown in the quote: “Make his name stink from one end of London to the other.”
- Shows the significance of reputation in Victorian society
- Tarnishing Hyde’s reputation was a massive threat
In what quote does Enfield present the theme of reputation?
“The more it looks like queer street the less I ask.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “The more it looks like queer street the less I ask.”
Enfield shares his self-imposed rule with Utterson during their Sunday walk.
Analyse how the theme of repuation is shown in the quote: “The more it looks like queer street the less I ask.”
- Enfield wants to avoid gossip as it could damage his reputation
- Conforms to social expectations of repressing opinions
Where is reputation mentioned elsewhere in the novel?
“If it came to a trial, your name might appear.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “If it came to a trial, your name might appear.”
Utterson visits Jekyll to warn him that if he’s hiding Hyde since he murdered Carew, he could be in serious legal trouble.
Analyse how reputation is shown in the quote, “If it came to a trial, your name might appear.”
- Utterson warns Jekyll of his reputation, but he disregards this
- Shows selfishness of the characters
What quote shows Jekyll’s silence and repression?
“My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”
In the final chapter of the novel, Jekyll admits to Utterson in his letter that he could no longer supress his evil desires, so they manifested into Hyde’s actions.
Analyse how the theme of silence and repression is presented in the quote: “My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”
- Jekyll represses his inner devilish desires to maintain his noble reputation in public
- ‘Caged’ and ‘roaring’ mirror the animalistic and savage qualities of Hyde
- Hints that you cannot fake your identity; the truth will shine through
In what quotes does Enfield embody the theme of silence and repression?
“The more it looks like queer street the less I ask.”
“I am ashamed of my long tongue.”
How is silence and repression displayed in the following quotes:
“The more it looks like queer street the less I ask.”
“I am ashamed of my long tongue.”
- Colloquialism showcases Enfield’s awareness of societal norms, thus he represses his opinions
- Conveys the importance of reputation for the Victorian upper class
What quote shows Utterson’s repression in the novel?
“I wouldn’t speak of this note, you know.”
Meaning & context of the quote, “I wouldn’t speak of this note, you know.”
Utterson shows the note supposedly handed in by Hyde to his clerk - Mr Guest. He realises there is a resemblance between Hyde’s and Jekyll’s handwriting, but Utterson urges him not to say anything of this matter.
Analyse how Utterson represses information in the quote: “I wouldn’t speak of this note, you know.”
- Repression of information creates dark secrets in the novel
- Utterson is being a good friend by shielding Jekyll from public disgrace
What quote shows secrecy in settings?
“The door was very strong, the lock excellent.”
Context of the quote: “The door was very strong, the lock excellent.”
Lanyon describes the cabinet door in which he has to extract the contents of Jekyll’s belongings.
Analyse how secrecy is implied in the quote, “The door was very strong, the lock excellent.”
- Jekyll’s secrets are all locked away, suggesting that he is desperate to maintain his reputation
- Lanyon’s emphasis on the security of the door builds tension as to what is behind it
What quote shows the theme of secrecy within settings?
“Windows barred with iron.”
Context of the quote: “Windows barred with iron.”
Part of the narrator’s description of Jekyll’s home.
Analyse how secrecy is conveyed in the quote, “Windows barred with iron.”
- Jekyll’s bedroom is similar to a prison cell with its barred windows - he has committed many sins
- Shows the extremity of Jekyll’s willingness to keep his desires secret as ‘windows’ could represent his soul
