Themes and Symbols Flashcards
1
Q
Theme: The duality of human nature
A
- The theme of the duality of human nature can be summed up in the words of Jekyll himself: ‘man is not truly one, but truly two’.
- With the help of science Jekyll is able to bring his dark, evil side into being, in the form of Hyde.
- Hyde is compared to a primitive animal that is not controlled by laws and regulations.
- In the end Jekyll is unable to control Hyde and it leads to his death.
- The message is that every person has a side that does not ft in with civilization and if this evils side is let loose, then the only outcome will be chaos and death.
2
Q
Theme: The importance of reputation
A
- The characters are, throughout the novel, focusing on keeping their reputation in tact.
- Utterson and Enfeld don’t gossip.
- Jekyll ‘hides’ Hyde from the rest of society so as to upheld his reputation. He feels that the only way that he can maintain his reputation, while enjoying the dark side of life, is by creating the character, Hyde.
- The secrets that might infuence the gentlemen’s reputations are kept in letters that are sealed and kept in safes. These letters are only allowed to be opened after the death of one of the characters, Dr Jekyll.
3
Q
Theme: Science, reason and the supernatural
A
- The novel creates tension between reason (represented by science) and the supernatural.
- Jekyll is a scientist, but makes use of chemical and mystical methods to create Hyde.
- Hyde belongs to the world of the supernatural. He is described as evil, deformed, but no-one is actually able to say exactly is it what makes them feel disgusted when seeing Hyde.
- The other scientist, Dr Lanyon is disgusted with the work of Dr Jekyll and is so shocked by what Jekyll has done that he dies shortly after learning about it.
- When Jekyll/ Hyde dies, the reader realises that the threat is a new world, new science, new traditions that cannot be explained by a rational mind. The fear of the unexplained.
4
Q
Theme: Innocence and violence
A
- The innocence in the novel is represented by the little girl and Sir Danvers Carew that become the victims of Hyde.
- It is Hyde who commits the terrible violent acts. In the end Hyde turns violent against himself (and Jekyll) by committing suicide.
- The worst thing is that the ‘violence’ comes from a person who has the perfect reputation, and is not able to control his dark urges.
5
Q
Theme: Friendship
A
- All the men in the novel are connected to each other because of friendship.
- Utterson has a number of old friends: Enfeld, Jekyll and Lanyon.
- Utterson and Enfeld meet regularly to walk.
- On the other hand Lanyon and Jekyll’s friendship have come to an end ten years earlier. They could not see eye to eye with regard to science.
- But when Jekyll is desperate he calls on his friend Lanyon to help him, which ultimately leads to the death of Lanyon.
6
Q
Theme: mystery behind closed doors.
A
- Mr Enfield tells Mr Utterson the mystery of the door and how Mr Hyde got the money to pay when he trampled a little girl.
- Dr Jekyll locks himself behind the laboratory door when he works on the experiment.
- Dr Jekyll remains behind a closed door when he no longer has control over Mr Hyde.
7
Q
Theme: curiosity
A
- Mr Utterson becomes curious about Mr Hyde after Mr Enfield tells him about the story of the door.
- He believes that the mystery of Mr Hyde can be solved by enquiring about him (Mr Hyde).
- Dr Jekyll’s curiosity causes him to take the potion.
8
Q
Theme: logic versus the illogic
A
- Dr Lanyon adheres strictly to logical, materialist science.
- He considers Dr Jekyll’s approach as scientific balderdash and to be illogical.
- Jekyll delves into mystical investigation of the nature of man which defies all logic.
9
Q
Theme: Deception
A
- Dr Jekyll deceives his friends and society by appearing to be a respectable character but finds a way through Mr Hyde to indulge in his evil desires.
- Mr Utterson deceives Dr Jekyll by investigating Mr Hyde.
- Dr Lanyon deceives Mr Utterson by not telling him the real reason why he ends his friendship with Dr Jekyll.
10
Q
Theme: Scientific expirentation
A
- A scientist, Dr Jekyll, experiments on himself with shocking consequences. An evil, dual personality emerges that perpetrates immoral deeds.
- This scientific experiment that goes wrong, alters the natural status of Dr Jekyll’s mind and body.
- This theme highlights how man, through his actions, crosses the boundaries of nature, with disastrous effects.
11
Q
Theme: loyalty.
A
- Utterson is loyal to his friends. He is not judgmental but accepts them even if they make a mistake; he does not abandon them.
- Utterson’s loyalty leads him to investigate the mystery that surrounds Dr Jekyll.
- Even though Utterson suspects that Dr Jekyll is blackmailed and that Dr Jekyll is sheltering a murderer, he remains loyal to his friend. Utterson does not report his suspicions to the police.
12
Q
Theme violence.
A
- Mr Hyde is violent, with no apparent motive.
- Mr Enfield witnesses Mr Hyde bumping into a little girl and then trampling on her.
- Hyde beats Sir Danvers Carew to death with a walking stick.
13
Q
What does the hairy hand of Hyde symbolise?
A
The primitive side of man
14
Q
Symbol Moonlight
A
- The moonlight and the fog create a mysterious atmosphere, by ensuring that the layout of the streets of London are hard to follow.
- This symbolises the mysterious relationship that Jekyll has with Hyde.
- Just like the fog hides the moonlight, so is Hyde’s crimes and existence hidden.
- Light is used to indicate when Jekyll is going to change into Hyde.
15
Q
Symbol: Appearance of evil
A
- Hyde becomes the symbol of pure evil. Literally he is described as being deformed, but it is more than a physical condition.
- The other characters experience a sensation of evil and unexplained hatred when meeting him.
- The character of Hyde is in complete contrast to the upright law-abiding citizens that he is surrounded with.
