Jekyll and Hyde - Quote and Analysis

"younger", "lighter", "happier"

Jekyll - Younger - he has removed the aging that having a thronging sense of evil was having on him. Lighter - both in size but also as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, as he feels less guilt

"agonised womb of consciousness"

Jekyll - Womb - something yet to come, perhaps waiting for the afterlife. Agonised - Jekyll is at pain with life at the start of the play, feels almost as if something is missing

"large", "well-made", "smooth faced"

Jekyll - Large - complete contrast to Hyde who is always described as small. Well made - links to reputation, as he is seemed to be an influential member of society, however this could also lead to ideas of genetics and influential background. Smooth faced - attractive, reputation still depends on attractiveness

"the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde"

Jekyll - On a surface level, seems egotistical, however on a deeper level, it represents the Victorian arrogance of believing they are greater and more in control than any "evil" desires they seem to have

"he delighted me like wine"

Jekyll - Jekyll often describes the positives of Hyde, like here, with this simile, he seems to compare Hyde to a nice drink. However, wine is alcoholic and therefore addictive to a certain level, suggesting that this is the beginning of an addiction or Jekyll. Context: alcoholism was considered a disease in the 19th century.

"pale and dwarfish"

Hyde - Pale - links to vampires, as doesn't go in sunlight, lacks reputation. Dwarfish - possible not only small in stature, but also small in reputation

"alone in the ranks of mankind, was purely evil"

Hyde - Alone - unique and isolated, could be considered to bring sympathy, as Hyde never asked to be created, however: Purely Evil - nothing except evil, similar to the devil himself, which, when linked to religious context, would remove any sense of sympathy

"clubbed" "trampling" "like a madman"

Hyde - Clubbed - links to caveman, prehistoric, also links to new ideas in Darwin's theory of evolution which would illicit fear from a Victorian audience. Trampling - animalistic, same as above. Like a madman - links to Victorian fears surrounding asylum.

"Satan's signature upon a face"

Hyde - Makes it seem as if the devil has signed off on Hyde's creation, sibilance almost creates a sense of advertisement or gimmick at the expense of Hyde.

"I incline to Cains Heresy"

Utterson -This discusses the Bible story of Cain and Able, and essentially means that Utterson attempts to ignore the worst traits of people. This suggests he often ends up with the worst of people and therefore sees the reality of other people.

"God grant that it be not that"

Utterson - Seems to represent a prayer, or at very least a wish to God, and describes how he is attempting to hold on to his religion to remove any ideas of science, however in the end it is in fact true, and therefore almost proves religion wrong. Context shows this would be very effective to a Victorian audience at evoking fear.

"I am not a man to be easily persuaded"

Utterson -"I am not" - secure language, suggests stubbornness', captures Victorian ideas of logic triumphing over an illogical reality.

"I am afraid that he is a very good man but a very bad man"

Utterson (About Hyde) -Anaphora/repetition of very + adj. intensifies the idea of the duality of someone. Context shows that this quote represents the Victorian framework of distrusting moral ambiguity, as strong morals are seen to represent an overall stronger person.

"I let my life be blotted out and it was the same in my old age"

Many of Utterson's lines seem to describe a fear of ageing, which could be seen to show a fear of moral decay and loss of reputation. "Blotted" seems to link to ink and writing perhaps suggesting he feels like a larger presence is changing the trajectory of his life.

"Jekyll became too fanciful for me", "Unscientific Balderdash"

Lanyon -Lanyon represents a more traditional Victorian view, and seems to have grown a distaste fro the newer medicine that Jekyll practises. However as the text progresses it shows that Jekyll's medicine works, perhaps suggesting to an audience that change is necessary for the newer society.

"the rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away"

Lanyon -In death, Lanyon represents the fall of a Victorian society, with weight falling away, as morals become more clear to everyone. He seems to have reached such a low point because his science has been disproved, suggesting he places too much reliance on his career. This could be seen to act as a warning to Victorians on the everchanging aspects of Victorian careers.

"a murdering mix of timidity and boldness"

Hyde -
Oxymoronic Image
Timidity - Hyde is new to the world, against almost synthesises feelings of sympathy, as he does not know how to act. Boldness - self-confidence. Hyde combines a child's naivety with an Adults arrogance. Murderous - links to horror, this combined mix makes Hyde worse and more dangerous.