Jekyll and Hyde - Summaries

10 Key words - (PP TT HH Repression Forms Mad Devils)

Paradoxical

Primitive

Transgression (go against)

Transmogrification (change in a surprising manner)

Hypocrisy

Heinous (wicked)

Repression (restraining something)

Facade (mask

Morbid curiosity (disturbing interest)

Dichotomy (division between two separate things)

Context - (Victorians Did Force Perfection)

Victorian London

Darwinism

Freud’s psychoanalytic theory

Physiognomy

Context - Victorian London

London was founded on hypocrisy and paradoxes. Repressive and restrictive norms were evident in society, yet there was a thriving prostitution industry and drug abuse. Jack the Ripper murdered 5 women on the streets of London - believed to have a surgical background.

Stevenson personifies this paradox and hypocrisy through Jekyll/Hyde

Jekyll, like Jack the Ripper, has a respectable facade but a depraved reality

Context - Darwinism

Darwin developed the theory of evolution. Contributed to the rise in science, with people feeling disillusioned (lost faith) with religion.

Hyde is a representation of the regression into a primal form

Context - Freud’s psychoanalytic theory

Freud broke the brain up into 3 parts: the Id, Ego and superego.

Id = animalistic part of man.

Ego = mediator between Id.

Superego = does what is socially acceptable

Hyde seen as the Id, Jekyll the superego

Context - Physiognomy

Pseudo-scientific theory that suggests a character can be judged through their appearance alone. The appearance of physical abnormality was an implication that there was something wrong, according to God, society and nature

Stevenson’s portrayal of Hyde conforms to this - his evil nature is shown in his deformed figure

Stevenson also ridicules it through the polished facade of Jekyll

Key themes - (DARGFS)

Duality

Appearance vs reality

Repression

Good vs evil

Friendship + loyalty

Science vs religion

Stevenson’s intentions - Victorian Gentlemen

As Jekyll is microcosmic(something small representing a large group) for the Victorian gentlemen, juxtaposing Hyde’s depravity, it reveals the ambiguity(vague) and blurred lines between morality and immorality in Victorian society, as well as good and evil. Stevenson uses this interconnection to mock how this ‘progressive’ society is in reality founded on hypocrisy, duality and suffering.

Stevenson’s intentions - Cautionary tale

Stevenson’s book serves as a cautionary tale(warning his readers) against the dangers of moral purification in Victorian society which denies natural desires due to favouring simplistic moral absolutes. He suggests that the attempt to deny this inherent duality is not only futile(pointless) but also detrimental to the individual and society as a whole.

Stevenson’s intentions - self-imposed rigidity

The way people in Victorian Society were governed was through strict ideals, which created a disparity between personal desires and public personas. This idea of self-imposed rigidity was critiqued by Stevenson.

Jekyll: “a large, well-made, smooth-faced..

..man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” (Chapter 3)

“a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” - Key themes

Repression, duality, appearance vs reality, good vs evil, friendship + loyalty

“a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” - Paradoxical description (conflicting)

This is a paradoxical description as a fifty year old man would typically be etched with wrinkles and signs of age, this paints him as almost artificial, he seems the archetype of a respectable gentleman yet almost to the extent where he seems manufactured.

“a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” - affinity and placement of ‘mark’

The word ‘kindness’ illustrates why Utterson had such an affinity(natural liking) with Jekyll, yet the placement of ‘mark’ next to ‘kindness’ foreshadows a hidden stain on Jekyll’s morality.

“a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” - foreshadowing

Jekyll’s sanitised appearance becomes an ironic foreshadowing of the barbaric Hyde lurking beneath, a monstrous reflection of the darkness he seeks to control and his morbid curiosity

“a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty…every mark of capacity and kindness” - Summary

Paradoxical: makes him seem artificial + manufactured

Kindness: why Utterson had affinity with him - hints at hidden stain on morality

Foreshadowing: sanitised appearance is ironic

Jekyll: “If I am the chief of sinners, I am..

..the chief of suffers also” (Chapter 6)

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of suffers also” - Key themes

Good vs evil, duality, repression, science vs religion, appearance vs reality

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of suffers also” - Alliteration

The alliteration of ‘sinners’ and ‘suffers’ blurs these concepts, suggesting an intertwined relationship. As Jekyll is microcosmic for Victorian gentlemen, it reveals the blurred lines between morality and immorality in Victorian society.

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of suffers also” - paradoxical nature of society

Jekyll’s struggle epitomises the paradoxical and hypocritical nature of society. He battles with indulging in his sinful darker desires while undergoing the suffering imposed by societal repression in Victorian society.

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of suffers also” - Biblical allusions

Despite Jekyll’s religious transgressions(going against), he acknowledges he is still subject to divine condemnation(God’s judgement). The biblical allusion to hell shows despite his defiance and rejection of societal norms, he remains accountable to God’s judgement.

“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of suffers also” - summary

Alliteration: blurred lines between morality and immorality

Jekyll’s struggle: epitomises paradoxes and hypocrisy in Victorian society

Biblical allusions: still subject to divine condemnation

Hyde: “There is something wrong with his appearance; ..

..something displeasing, something downright detestable” (said by Enfield Chapter 1)

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” - Key themes

Good vs evil, repression, appearance vs reality, duality

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” - Physiognomy

This upholds the theory of physiognomy, and the belief that physical abnormalities are a divine and natural indication of an individual’s wickedness and immorality.

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” - Alliteration

The alliteration ‘displeasing’ and ‘downright detestable’ emphasises the magnitude of Hyde’s physical and moral inhumanity and depravity(wickedness). This juxtaposes the ‘smooth’ unblemished facade of Dr Jekyll’s. Thus, Jekyll’s polished exterior becomes a symbol of societal hypocrisy.

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” - Mocks physiognomy

Physiognomy is simultaneously mocked through the pristine presentation of Jekyll.

“There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable” - Summary

Physiognomy: divine + natural indication of wickedness

Mocks physiognomy: Jekyll’s pristine facade mocks the idea

Alliteration: emphasises inhumanity - juxtapose Jekyll’s unblemished face

Hyde: “With ape-like fury..

..he was trampling his victim” - Chapter 4

“With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim” - Key themes

Science vs religion, repression, good vs evil, duality, appearance vs reality

“With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim” - Animalistic simile

The use of an animalistic simile implies a regression to a primitive state, where instinctual desires are unchecked showing the futility(pointlessness) of relentless repression as it has encouraged his evolution to a more barbaric state.

“With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim” - Darwinism

The rise of Darwinism forced Victorians to confront the unsettling concept of man’s animalistic inheritance. In Hyde, they see their carefully constructed facade stripped bare.

“With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim” - Careless verb ‘trampling’

echoed in chapter 1 where he ‘trampled calmly’ over a little girl, illustrates the inhumane manifestation of reckless violence. Hyde is able to reclaim the dominance relinquished(given up) by Jekyll to his paternalistic(freedom restricting) society

“With ape-like fury he was trampling his victim” - Summary

Animalistic simile: regression into a primitive state

Darwinism: face inherent animal instincts - Hyde strips this facade bare

“Trampling”: inhumanity + reclaim dominance Jekyll lost to his society

Jekyll & Hyde key themes (for the following 2 quotes)

Duality, appearance vs reality, repression, good vs evil, science vs religion

Jekyll & Hyde: “my devil had been long..

..caged, he came out roaring” (chapter 10)

“my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” - Verb ‘caged’

The verb ‘caged’ has animalistic allusions linking with Darwinism. This critiques the suppression of these primal and hedonistic(pursuit of pleasure) urges by societal norms and religious principles

“my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” - Zoomorphism

The zoomorphic(giving something animalistic qualities) description of Jekyll’s degenerate(corrupt) desires shows societal constraints compel him to suppress these desires, leading to the emergence of a beastly, animalistic force, personified through Hyde.

“my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” - transmogrification

His transmogrification(change in a surprising way) into the ‘devil’ of Hyde, was because he was forced to resort to secrecy. This in itself is an oxymoron as dishonesty is incompatible with the blueprint of a respectable gentleman.

“my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring” - summary

Caged: alludes to Darwinism + critiques suppression of primal instincts

Zoomorphism: degenerate desires emerged into beastly animalistic force

Transmogrification: forced to resort to secrecy

Jekyll & Hyde: “agonised womb of consciousness, these..

..polar twins should be continuously struggling” (Chapter 10)

“agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling” - painful verb ‘agonised’

The painful verb ‘agonised’ implies Jekyll made an egregious(shocking) mistake in attempting to separate the two aspects of his nature - the perpetual pain between the dichotomy(division) of moral duty and personal pleasure.

“agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling” - ‘womb’ → inherent duality

‘womb’, the place of origin and creation, illustrates the inherent duality of human nature. Stevenson satirises(mocks) the Victorian want to sterilise this inherent human flaw showing it as inherent to each individual from the moment of creation.

“agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling” - metaphor

The use of a metaphor implies two aspects of human nature are never finished developing, they are perpetually in an embryonic state, and thus engaging in a power struggle as they both try to grow within the same guild. - as the moral side develops, the immoral side follows

“agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling” - summary

Painful verb: perpetual pain between dichotomy of moral duty + pleasure

Place of creation: satirises how duality is inherent - from the moment of creation

Metaphor: two sides of human nature never finish developing

Utterson: “If he be Mr. Hyde..

.. I shall be Mr. Seek” (chapter 2)

“If he be Mr. Hyde… I shall be Mr. Seek” - Symbolism

‘Hyde’ and ‘seek’ symbolises the inherent duality within humanity. Even Utterson has a morbid fascination and curiosity that lurks beneath his sterilised facade.

“If he be Mr. Hyde… I shall be Mr. Seek” - Exaggerated dualism

Utterson doesn’t have the exaggerated dualism of Jekyll, he has his own suppressed desires and darker curiosity - the repression of these impulses is not exclusive to Jekyll but is a universal aspect of human nature, even in individuals who outwardly conform to societal norms

“If he be Mr. Hyde… I shall be Mr. Seek” - Homophone of “Hyde”

The homophone(two words that sound similar) of “Hyde” introduces the concept of disguise and illusion. Stevenson utilises this to expose the limitations of Victorian physiognomy as they can hide behind a polished facade.

“If he be Mr. Hyde… I shall be Mr. Seek” - summary

Symbolism: has morbid fascination beneath sterilised facade

Exaggerated dualism: duality is universal aspect of human nature

Homophone: disguise + illusion, criticism of physiognomy

Lanyon: “such unscientific balderdash… would have..

..estranged Damon and Pythias” (chapter 2)

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - Key themes

science vs religion, friendship and loyalty, duality, appearance vs reality, repression, good vs evil

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - Embodiment of rationalism

Lanyon embodies rationalism implying the dichotomy between Jekyll and Lanyon. Stevenson explores scientific rationalism vs the allure of the unknown.

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - Both doctors

While both are doctors, Lanyon embodies rationalism which separates him from Jekyll’s morbid curiosity and exploration into the uncharted territories of repressed desires

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - Mythological allusion

Lanyon’s allusion to mythology ridicules him as a scientist, revealing that his beliefs extend beyond the purely scientific realm. Stevenson may be offering a critique of how science heavily influenced by religion can become distorted and inherently flawed.

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - summary

Embodies rationalism: dichotomy between them. Lanyon = scientific rationalism. Jekyll = allure of the unknown

Both doctors: Jekyll explores repressed desires, Lanyon dedicated to fact

Mythological allusion: ridicules him - science + religion combined can be flawed

Enfield: “the more it looks like Queer Street, ..

.. the less I ask” (Chapter 1)

“the more it looks like Queer Street the less I ask” - Key themes

Repression, appearance vs reality, friendship + loyalty, duality

“the more it looks like Queer Street the less I ask” - Colloquialism in ‘Queer street’

Colloquialism(language used in conversation) accentuates the camaraderie(mutual trust) but as Enfield dismisses his curiosity, it shows the sanitised camaraderie among Victorian men, where propriety(standards and morals) constantly impedes genuine connections.

“the more it looks like Queer Street the less I ask” - Euphemism in ‘Queer street’

Euphemism(a word used in replacement for something more pleasant) implies deliberate avoidance of confronting the truth and acknowledging the gravity(seriousness) of the atrocities he as witnessed

“the more it looks like Queer Street the less I ask” - Vilifies curiosity

Enfield subtly vilifies(criticizes) curiosity, insinuating that Utterson’s investigative nature may defy societal norms. Despite his nuanced(subtle traits) duality evidenced by his early morning strolls at “three o’clock in the morning”, he remains bound to upholding Victorian conventions.

“the more it looks like Queer Street the less I ask” - Summary

Colloquialism: sanitised camaraderie among Victorian men

Euphemism: avoids confronting the gravity of the atrocities

Vilifies curiosity: despite his nuanced duality in early hours of the morning