The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the author, historical context, key themes, and main characters of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.

Robert Louis Stevenson

A Scottish writer born in Edinburgh who was interested in the duality of human nature; his own life reflected this as he was a polite and intelligent man who also enjoyed travel, risk, and freedom.

"Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped"

Famous adventure stories written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Victorian Era Context (1886)

The historical setting in London, England, where the novel was published in 1886, marked by strict social pressure to appear respectable in public and rapid 19th-century scientific growth that produced both excitement and fear.

Duality of Human Nature

A main topic in the novel demonstrating that every person has both good and bad sides, warning against letting evil instincts take control and encouraging thought on personal responsibility and ethics.

Science and Its Dangers

A theme highlighting how scientific curiosity without ethical control can become destructive, using Dr. Jekyll's lost control over his chemical experiment as a warning relevant to modern technology like AI or genetic editing.

Appearance vs. Reality

A concept teaching that surface impressions can be deceiving, as shown by Dr. Jekyll's respectable exterior hiding terrible secrets and Mr. Hyde's physical ugliness symbolizing hidden evil.

Good and Evil in Society

A topic exploring moral corruption, social reputation, and the conflict between personal desires and social expectations while criticizing Victorian social hypocrisy.

Dr. Henry Jekyll

A rich, kind, and respected doctor and scientist in London who creates a special potion to separate the good and evil sides of human nature, eventually losing control of his experiment.

Mr. Edward Hyde

The dark, evil, violent, cruel, and physically ugly alter ego of Dr. Jekyll who lacks a conscience, commits violent acts and murder, and represents the bad side in everyone.

Mr. Gabriel John Utterson

Dr. Jekyll's serious, honest, and calm lawyer and loyal friend who tries to investigate the truth about Jekyll and Hyde, representing reason, morality, and friendship.

Dr. Hastie Lanyon

A scientist friend of Dr. Jekyll who disagrees with Jekyll's strange experiments, represents traditional science and morality, and dies of shock after discovering Hyde's true identity.

Poole

Dr. Jekyll's loyal house servant of many years who grows worried when his master isolates himself and assists Mr. Utterson in discovering the secret behind the laboratory door.

Robert Louis Stevenson

A Scottish writer born in Edinburgh who wrote famous adventure stories such as 'Treasure Island' and 'Kidnapped', and whose interest in the duality of human nature mirrored his own life as a polite, intelligent man who enjoyed travel, risk, and freedom.

Victorian Era Context

The historical setting of London, England in 1886 when the novel was published; a society where people were required to appear respectable, moral, and proper in public, leading many to hide secret desires or bad habits.

Duality of Human Nature

A central theme illustrating that every person possesses both good and bad sides inside them, shown through Dr. Jekyll (the moral side) and Mr. Hyde (the evil side), emphasizing personal responsibility and ethics.

Science and Its Dangers

A theme warning that knowledge and scientific curiosity without responsibility or ethics can become destructive, as shown by Dr. Jekyll using chemistry to separate his good and evil sides and losing control.

Appearance vs. Reality

A theme teaching that surface impressions can be deceiving, contrasting Dr. Jekyll's respectable public exterior with the physically ugly Mr. Hyde, who symbolizes hidden evil beneath a polite front.

Good and Evil in Society

A theme criticizing Victorian hypocrisy—where citizens pretended to be good while hiding immoral behavior—and exploring the conflict between personal desires and social expectations.

Dr. Henry Jekyll

A rich, kind, and respected doctor and scientist in London who creates a special potion to separate the good and evil sides of human nature, representing humanity's good side before losing control of his experiment.

Mr. Edward Hyde

The dark, violent, cruel, and physically small and ugly side of Dr. Jekyll; he has no conscience, hurts and kills people, and represents the evil that exists inside everyone.

Mr. Gabriel John Utterson

Dr. Jekyll's lawyer and loyal friend who is serious, honest, and calm, and who investigates the truth about Jekyll and Hyde, representing reason, morality, and friendship.

Dr. Hastie Lanyon

A scientist friend of Dr. Jekyll who disagrees with Jekyll's strange experiments, dies from shock after learning the truth about Hyde, and represents traditional science and morality.

Poole

Dr. Jekyll's loyal servant of many years who grows concerned by his master's isolation and assists Mr. Utterson in discovering the secret behind the laboratory door.