Part 4: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Theme

“Then you must know as well as the rest of us that there was something queer about that gentleman—something that gave a man a turn—I don’t know rightly how to say it, sir, beyond this: that you felt in your marrow kind of cold and thin.”
“I own I felt something of what you describe,” said Mr. Utterson. . . .
“Ay, ay,” said the lawyer. “My fears incline to the same point. Evil, I fear, founded—evil was sure to come—of that connection. Ay truly, I believe you; I believe poor Harry is killed; and I believe his murderer (for what purpose, God alone can tell) is still lurking in his victim’s room. Well, let our name be vengeance. Call Bradshaw.”

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

What topics are discussed in this passage? Check all that apply.

A. movement
B. friendship
C. gut instincts
D. evil
E. murder

C, D, E

“Then you must know as well as the rest of us that there was something queer about that gentleman—something that gave a man a turn—I don’t know rightly how to say it, sir, beyond this: that you felt in your marrow kind of cold and thin.”

“I own I felt something of what you describe,” said Mr. Utterson. . . .

“Ay, ay,” said the lawyer. “My fears incline to the same point. Evil, I fear, founded—evil was sure to come—of that connection. Ay truly, I believe you; I believe poor Harry is killed; and I believe his murderer (for what purpose, God alone can tell) is still lurking in his victim’s room. Well, let our name be vengeance. Call Bradshaw.”

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

What theme does this passage best support?

Evil can never truly hide itself.

“Quite so, sir,” returned Poole. “Well, when that masked thing like a monkey jumped from among the chemicals and whipped into the cabinet, it went down my spine like ice. O, I know it’s not evidence, Mr. Utterson; I’m book-learned enough for that; but a man has his feelings, and I give you my bible-word it was Mr. Hyde!”

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

What theme does this passage best support?

It is important to trust your instinct.

“My dear Utterson,—When this shall fall into your hands, I shall have disappeared, under what circumstances I have not the penetration to foresee, but my instinct and all the circumstances of my nameless situation tell me that the end is sure and must be early. Go then, and first read the narrative which Lanyon warned me he was to place in your hands; and if you care to hear more, turn to the confession of

“Your unworthy and unhappy friend,

“HENRY JEKYLL.”

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

Which theme does this passage best support?

It is important to trust your instinct.

How do the two passages develop the theme "It is important to trust your instinct”?

The first passage introduces the idea that people have bad feelings from Hyde; the second passage reinforces that idea.

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"Now, my good man,” said the lawyer, "be explicit. What are you afraid of?”

"I’ve been afraid for about a week,” returned Poole, doggedly disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more.”
...
"Come,” said the lawyer, "I see you have some good reason, Poole; I see there is something seriously amiss. Try to tell me what it is.”

"I think there’s been foul play,” said Poole, hoarsely.

How does this event best connect to the theme "Appearances shape people’s opinions”?

Poole looks so disturbed that Mr. Utterson listens to him closely.

One theme in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the message "Evil can never truly hide itself.”

Which event best connects to this theme?

Mr. Hyde’s dead body is found in Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory.

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"I’ve been afraid for about a week,” returned Poole, doggedly disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more.”

The man’s appearance amply bore out his words; his manner was altered for the worse; and except for the moment when he had first announced his terror, he had not once looked the lawyer in the face. Even now, he sat with the glass of wine untasted on his knee, and his eyes directed to a corner of the floor. "I can bear it no more,” he repeated.

How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets are a heavy burden”?

Mr. Poole shows signs of physical and emotional distress.

The climax is the point of __________ in a story.

greatest stress

As a theme develops throughout a text, the message

slowly becomes more clear.

Which is an example of a theme?

Everyone has dark secrets.

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"You stay too much indoors,” said the lawyer. "You should be out, whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This is my cousin—Mr. Enfield—Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your hat and take a quick turn with us.”

"You are very good,” sighed the other. "I should like to very much; but no, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not. But indeed, Utterson, I am very glad to see you; this is really a great pleasure; I would ask you and Mr. Enfield up, but the place is really not fit.”

How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets isolate people from those around them”?

Dr. Jekyll does not join his friends even though he would like to walk with them.

Which statements about themes are true? Check all that apply.

A. A theme is one topic in a text.
B. A theme is a message the text conveys.
C. A theme is always stated directly in a text.
D. A theme is supported by details in the text.
E. A theme is seen over the course of a text.

B, D, E

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

But the words were hardly uttered, before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court without a word.
...
"God forgive us, God forgive us,” said Mr. Utterson.

How does this passage develop the theme "Evil can never truly hide itself”?

Utterson and Enfield are horrified when they see Jekyll’s transformation.

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The besiegers, appalled by their own riot and the stillness that had succeeded, stood back a little and peered in.
...
"We have come too late,” he said sternly, "whether to save or punish. Hyde is gone to his account; and it only remains for us to find the body of your master.”

How does this excerpt best develop the theme "Good will always prevail over evil”?

Mr. Hyde is found dead in Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory.