Jekyll and Hyde quotes

English Lit.

DUALITY

DUALITY

“all human beings as we know it are commingles out of good and evil”

CHAPTER 10

Shows how good and evil exist together inside everyone.

the co-existence of good and evil.

good and bas are not seperate entities.

“man is not truly one, but truly two”

Reflect victorian society anxiety about hidden evil under respectable appearances and the complexities of human nature.

“the street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood”

duality in setting. How London itself mirrors the hidden sins and decay beneath polite society.

“the moment i choose, I can be rid of Hyde”

arrogant belief that Jekyll can control Hyde and his dual nature, which ultimately leads to his downfall and death.

highlights the danger of underestimating the power of repressed of evil, and once unleashed becomes stronger.

“with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under his foot”

Shows Hyde’s primal and instinctive nature. shows how he is the primitive version of man based on basal instincts.

Victorian anxiety about Charles Darwins theory of evolution, and how it contradicts religion. Could suggest that respectable humans (Jekyll) can revert back to animals (Hyde).

JEKYLL

JEKYLL

“large, well made, smooth faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast”

Shows Jekyll as as respectable victorian gentleman, but with underlying secrets by using “slyish”. Shows how evil is easily noticeable. Shows strong, polished exterior, but underlying weakness which leads to inevitable downfall.This description presents Jekyll as a gentleman who embodies Victorian ideals, yet hints at his hidden complexities and moral struggles. It emphasizes the theme of duality and the facade of respectability.

“slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and slowly becoming incorparated with my second and worse”

“slowly” represents eventual and inevitable downfall of him him slowly being incorporated and succumbed to evil.

“looking deadly sick”

"“sick” emphasises his weakness and slow detoration due to evil. “deadly” foreshadows his death later.”

“temptation of a discovery so singular and profound”

“temptation” links to victorian scared of sin and original sin of adam and eve. Shows his forbidden knowledge about things beyond him and the potential consequences of pursuing such knowledge. This phrase underscores the conflict between scientific curiosity and moral boundaries, reflecting the dangers of unchecked ambition.

represents his insatiable curiosity and ambition.

HYDE

HYDE

“trampled camly”

juxtaposition with extreme violence with indifference. No remorse and rutheless nature of Hyde.

Destroyer of innocence as victorian society viewed children as a symbol of purity and innocence.

“satans signature”

embodiment of pure evil.

satan - religious anxiety in victorian era, post darwinian novel.

signature - does devils bidding.

“it wasn’t like a man; it was like some damned juggernaught”

repetition of “it” shows Hyde’s dehumanisation and his “deformed” nature.

“juggernaught’ - show how hyde is a strong and overhwhelming force which cannot be contained. Does not followed rules and boundaries of society.

supernatural force, other wordly. relating to devil or being to do with hell.

“snarled aloud into a savage laugh”

“snarled” - animalistic and basal instincts. shows primitive version of man.

“savage laugh” - juxtaposition shows his inability to show and mimic genuine human happiness, further highlighting his lack of empathy and modern development.

“I had taken a loathing my gentleman at the first sight”

invokes strange and and unexplained feelings of revultion and hatred in others. suggest the physical recognition of evil, although it is a little ambiguos

“strong feeling of deformity”

“feeling” - suggest hatred + recognition of hatred on a deeper spiritual level rather than just physical. He invokes and instinctive, emotional reaction of repulsion in others.

Highlights supernatural and unnatural aura of Hyde.

“deformity” - could imply spiritual and moral deformity, invoking a strange reaction in others on a deeper emotional level.