Jekyll and Hyde - Chapter 1

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something down-right detestable” - Enfield

Theme:

• Immediately alienates Hyde from the rest of society

• The repetition of “something” emphasises vagueness — Hyde’s deformity cannot be named. This creates fear because it’s indescribable evil.

• Vague, negative adjectives (“wrong,” “displeasing,” “detestable”) convey moral disgust rather than physical description. Hyde has an essence of evil, beyond words.

“The door, which was blistered and distained.”

Theme:

• The door becomes a central motif of secrecy, thresholds, and hidden lives.

• It being “blistered” may reveal it is metaphorically hurt as it acts as a shield for the sin and immorality that is concealed by it

• “disdained” - looked down upon by society which reflects Hyde’s alienation and isolation

“Trampled calmly over the child’s body.”

Theme:

• Oxymoronic phrase “trampled calmly” reveals Hydes unnatural and unsettling demeanour, disturbing and unsympathetic

• Hyde’s cruelty is casual, unprovoked, showing pure corruption

• Attacking a child would shock Victorian morality — children symbolised purity and the future. It reflects fears of degeneration.

“Really like Satan.”

Theme:

• Hyde is explicitly associated with the Devil. This elevates him from an immoral man to a figure of absolute evil.

• Simile - simplicity emphasises its harsh meaning, Hyde is comparable to the devil and therefore the embodiment of evil

“Sawbones turn sick and white with the desire to kill him.” - Enfield

Theme:

• highlights the extreme and unnatural revulsion Hyde evokes, even in figures meant to be calm and clinical like doctors

• hyperbolic description signifies a physical reaction of profound disgust and fear, beyond normal anger, a reaction so extreme it makes him appear ill. 

• Hyde's presence seems to provoke a visceral, almost Darwinian, aggression in others, indicating his corrupting influence.

• Suggests hypocrisy, Hyde’s behaviour is so violent and revolting, yet this makes others react in the same way