| DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE REVISION

PACK |

Context
Victorian Gentleman and Duality

 The Victorian gentleman was expected to be respectable, well-

mannered, and restrained in public.
 There was a contrast between outward respectability and hidden
indulgences (e.g., gambling, drinking, brothels, crime).
 The novel critiques this hypocrisy, showing how repression leads to
a dangerous split between public and private selves.

Science vs. Mysticism

 The late 19th century was a period of scientific advancement

(Darwin’s theory of evolution, medical developments, psychology).
 Jekyll represents scientific curiosity and experimentation, while
Hyde embodies the fear of scientific overreach.
 The supernatural and gothic elements reflect anxieties about
science challenging religious and moral beliefs.

Physiognomy

 The belief that a person's character was reflected in their physical

appearance was common in Victorian society.
 Hyde is described as “troglodytic” (ape-like), “hardly human,” and
having a “Satan’s signature” on his face, reinforcing the idea that
evil is physically manifest.
 Jekyll, in contrast, has a “large, well-made, smooth-faced”
appearance, fitting the gentlemanly ideal.

Freudian Theory

 Freud’s theory of the psyche (id, ego, superego) is mirrored in

Jekyll’s struggle:
o Id (primitive desires): Hyde represents uncontrolled
impulses and instinctual drives.
o Ego (mediator): Jekyll tries to balance his moral conscience
with his darker desires.
 o Superego (morality): Society’s expectations and Jekyll’s
guilt prevent him from fully embracing Hyde.

Darwinism and Evolutionary Anxiety

 Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) suggested that humans

evolved from apes, creating fears about regression into primitive
states.
 Hyde is described in animalistic terms (e.g., “hissing,” “snarling,”
“apelike”), playing into Victorian fears of devolution.

Other Key Contexts

 Gothic Literature: The novel features classic gothic elements such

as duality, horror, mystery, and the supernatural.
 Urbanisation: London is depicted as a place of duality, with
respectable areas and dark, crime-ridden slums.
 Christian Morality: Themes of sin, punishment, and the battle
between good and evil reflect Christian ideas of morality.

Symbols and Motifs

Duality and Contrast

 Jekyll’s respectable house vs. Hyde’s “sinister” and “blistered” door.

(SETTING)
 Jekyll’s handwriting is elegant; Hyde’s is “startlingly similar” but
“sloped differently,” reflecting their intertwined identities.
(GRAPHOLOGY-CONTEXT)
 London itself is split into respectable and criminal districts, mirroring
Jekyll’s divided nature. (LONDON SOHO)
 Dichotomy between the primal/troglodytic ‘Hyde’ and the
respectable ‘Jekyll’
 The name ‘Hyde’ is a homophone for ‘hide,’ reinforcing the idea that
Hyde is not only Jekyll’s concealed alter ego but also a symbol of
repressed desires that must remain hidden from Victorian society.
This wordplay suggests that Jekyll created Hyde to indulge in
immoral acts without tarnishing his own respectable reputation,
highlighting the theme of duality and repression.
Doors and Windows

 Jekyll’s cabinet door, locks and safes symbolises secrecy and

repression.
 Hyde’s door is hidden in a dark alley, reflecting how he exists in the
shadows of society.
 The window where Jekyll is seen “trapped” symbolises his lack of
control over Hyde.

Light and Darkness

 Hyde’s crimes often occur at night, symbolising hidden, repressed

evil.
 Jekyll’s house has both “handsome” and “dingy” elements,
reinforcing the theme of duality.

Potions and Transformation

 The potion represents unchecked scientific ambition and moral

corruption.
 Jekyll’s increasing need for the potion mirrors addiction and loss of
self-control.

Biblical and Religious Imagery

 Hyde is frequently compared to Satan (“really like Satan,” “Satan’s

signature upon his face”).
 Jekyll’s actions parallel the biblical concept of original sin and the
temptation to transgress moral boundaries.

Character Analysis and Quote Analysis

Dr. Henry Jekyll

 A highly respected doctor and scientist, but secretly struggles with

his darker urges.
 Creates Hyde as a means of separating his morality from his
desires, but ultimately loses control.
 His downfall illustrates the dangers of repressing one’s true nature
and the consequences of scientific overreach.
 Jekyll is DICHOTOMOUS to Hyde
  Emblematic of the ‘clandestine’
 Facade- shows the duplicitous/multifaceted nature
 Key Quotes & Analysis:
o “Man is not truly one, but truly two.” → This declarative
statement explicitly asserts the duality of human nature,
reinforcing the novel’s central theme. The phrase “truly two”
suggests an innate, undeniable division rather than a
constructed one.
o “I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self.” → The
metaphor of “losing hold” implies a lack of control, while
“original and better” suggests that Hyde is an unnatural,
regressive force overpowering Jekyll’s morality.
o “The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde.” → This
statement is ironic, as Jekyll ultimately cannot control Hyde,
illustrating the illusion of mastery over one’s darker instincts.

Mr. Edward Hyde

 The embodiment of Jekyll’s repressed evil and immoral desires.

 Described as smaller, ape-like, and repugnant – physically reflecting
his moral corruption.
 His violent nature escalates (trampling a child, murdering Carew),
showing the uncontrollable nature of evil.
 Key Quotes & Analysis:
o “Something troglodytic.” → The term “troglodytic” evokes
primitive, bestial imagery, aligning Hyde with an earlier,
unevolved stage of humanity, reinforcing the fear of
degeneration.
o “Ape-like fury.” → The simile dehumanises Hyde, likening him
to a wild, uncontrolled beast, which reflects Victorian anxieties
surrounding evolution and regression.
o “Like some damned Juggernaut.” → The adjective “damned”
connotes infernal, hellish qualities, while “Juggernaut”
suggests unstoppable, destructive force, reinforcing Hyde’s
inhumanity.

Mr. Gabriel Utterson

 A rational, loyal lawyer (lawyer = eponymous epithet, shows

knowledge) who represents Victorian restraint and propriety.
 Acts as the detective figure, piecing together the mystery but
reluctant to suspect Jekyll.- Detective by proxy?
  Embodies the theme of repression, as he, too, ignores signs of
Jekyll’s decline.
 Key Quotes & Analysis:
o “A man of rugged countenance.” → “Rugged” suggests a
stern, controlled exterior, indicative of the Victorian ideal of
repression.
o “The last good influence in the lives of down-going men.” →
The hyperbolic “last good influence” elevates Utterson as a
moral anchor, reinforcing his reliability and virtue.
o “I shall be Mr. Seek.” → A clever play on Hyde’s name (Hide),
reinforcing Utterson’s investigative role while hinting at the
underlying theme of concealment and revelation.

Dr. Hastie Lanyon

 A rational, traditional scientist who rejects Jekyll’s experiments as

unscientific and dangerous.
 Represents the conflict between orthodox science and Jekyll’s more
experimental approach.
 His death symbolises the devastating power of forbidden
knowledge.
 Key Quotes & Analysis:
o “Unscientific balderdash.” → The dismissive, mocking tone
reflects Lanyon’s strict adherence to rational science,
highlighting the ideological rift between him and Jekyll.
o “My soul sickened at it.” → The use of “soul” suggests a
profound, almost spiritual horror at Jekyll’s transformation,
reinforcing gothic themes of the supernatural.
o “The rosy man had grown pale.” → The contrast between
“rosy” (symbolising vitality) and “pale” (suggesting death)
foreshadows Lanyon’s fatal deterioration due to the trauma of
witnessing Hyde’s transformation.