Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - CONTEXT STUDIES

Victorian Duality & Repression

“The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde.” - Modal verb “can” shows Jekyll’s illusion of control, reflecting the Victorian belief in reason + self-discipline. This becomes ironic, as Jekyll ultimately cannot control Hyde - symbolising the failure of repression. Jekyll represents the respectable Victorian gentleman, while Hyde embodies the hidden repressed self - linking to the idea of the public vs private persona.

Victorian men were expected to repress their desires + maintain a respectable façade.

Science vs Religion

“Unscientific balderdash.” - dismissive language reflects the scepticism of traditional scientists, including Lanyon, toward new, morally ambiguous experimentation. THis shows the fear that science could lead to devolution or dangerous discoveries, like Hyde. It also reflects cultural tension after Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ (1859), which challenged religious explanations of humanity.

In Victorian society, science (especially evolution + experimentation) clashed w/ religious beliefs.

Fear of Devolution & Darwinism

“With ape-like fury…” - Similie “ape-like” aligns Hyde w/ a beastly, sub-human identity. Reflects post-Darwinian anxieties that beneath the surface of man is something animalistic + violent. Hyde as a regressive form of man challenges the belief if social progress + civilisation.

Victorians feared the idea of devolution - that humans could regress to a more primitive state.

Victorian Gentleman & Reputation

“The last reputable acquaintance and the last good influence in the lives of down-going men.” (Utterson) - Superlative “last” emphasises how Utterson sees himself as a moral anchor - a product of a society obsessed w/ propriety. Alliteration “reputable” “respectable” suggests a repeated emphasis on moral appearance. Highlights how a reputation often mattered more than the truth - many characters refuse to probe too deeply into others’ affairs to preserve decorum, therefore depriving man’s natural curiosity.

A man’s reputation was central to his identity + social standing in Victorian society.

Gothic Tradition & Urban Terror

“A great chocolate-coloured pall lowered over heaven.” - Metaphor “chocolate-coloured pall” links fog to death (a pall covers a coffin), creating an ominous tone. Urban London - portrayed as a labyrinth of secrets - an echo of Gothic settings like haunted castles / dungeons. The fog symbolises moral ambiguity, hiding Hyde’s crimes + reflecting the hidden evils w/in the city + the self.

The Gothic genre was popular in Victorian times, + cities were seen as dangerous + morally corrupt.

Addiction & Victorian Morality

“My new power tempted me until I fell into slavery.” - Personification “power” as something that tempts shows the seductive nature of vice. Metaphor “slavery” implies loss of free will - Jekyll becomes addicted to Hyde, symbolising the dangerous consequences of giving in to temptation. Reflects Victorian moral panic about alcohol, drugs, + secret immoral behaviour.

Hyde’s creation can be read as a metaphor for addiction, something frowned upon + hidden in Victorian society.

Class Division & Urban Poverty

“The girl was trampled calmly.” - Oxymoron “trampled calmly” makes Hyde’s cruelty more disturbing - there’s no remorse. Emphasises Hyde’s inhumanity + the power imbalance between the rich + the powerless. Reflects the hidden exploitation that occurred beneath London’s respectable surface.

Hyde’s violence towards a working-class girl highlights Victorian class division + the vulnerability of the poor.

Public vs Private Identity

“I concealed my pleasures.” - Verb “concealed” speaks to secrecy + shame. Suggests Jekyll’s hypocrisy - he presents himself as respectable while hiding his indulgences. Reflects a common theme in Victorian society: the duality of human nature + the cost of maintaining appearances.

Victorians were expected to uphold moral purity in public while often hiding immoral behaviour in private.