Big Picture Ideas

In this novel, Stevenson perhaps…

Suggests that inner evil is within us all

Explores our capacity for violence and evil

Highlights Victorian fears linked to Darwin’s theory of evolution, which suggests that humans could be innately animalistic or beastlike

Highlights the fear within Victorian upper classes of degeneration

Explores the duality of human nature - the idea that we are both good and evil - and the moral conflict between these two sides

Reflects on the darkness and criminality lurking under the façade of Victorian respectability

Criticises the tendency for secrecy and repression within the Victorian middle and upper classes

Highlights the desire in Victorian Gentlemen to protect reputation above all else

Provides a possible warning against transgressive science

Jekyll - inner evil, duality, repression, reputation, transgressive science

Through Dr. Jekyll’s creation of Hyde, Stevenson unsettles the Victorian readership by exploring the idea that inner evil lurks within even the most respectable of gentlemen

Through Dr. Jekyll’s transgressive science, Stevenson explores Victorian anxieties surrounding scientific power and development as the Victorian Era was an age of invention and discovery

Through Dr. Jekyll’s gradual loss of control and death, Stevenson could be conveying a stark warning about the dangerous consequences of transgressive science and how unpredictable and uncontrollable it is

Jekyll’s desire to create Hyde shows a desire to be free from the pressure of appearing moral and reputable - in this way, Stevenson could be criticising the importance of reputation for Victorian gentlemen and how detrimental it is for them to act perfect.

It could be argued that Hyde’s surge in power after Jekyll tries to resist him illustrates the dangers of repression in Victorian society - Stevenson shows that the more something is repressed the stronger the feeling will become.

Hyde - inner evil, degeneration, repression, transgressive science, duality

Stevenson portrays Hyde as the embodiment of inner evil and immorality to unsettle the Victorian readership and explore the idea of Victorian Gentlemen’s capability of crime and sin

Perhaps Stevenson is exploring ideas about Darwin’s theories of evolution, and Victorian anxieties about degeneration through representing Hyde as the ‘beast within’ with his animalistic behaviour and appearance

Throughout the course of the novel, Stevenson could be showing us the dangers of inner evil unrestrained by a conscience, through the growth of Mr. Hyde’s power and violence

It could be argued that Hyde’s surge in power after Jekyll tries to resist him illustrates the dangers of repression in Victorian society - Stevenson shows that the more something is repressed the stronger the feeling will become.

Lanyon/Science

Stevenson builds upon Victorian reader’s fears around science by showing how far science can be pushed. Jekyll’s work into the metaphysical makes the readers uncomfortable and anxious.

Stevenson subverts the contemporary reader’s expectations of career stereotypes between scientists and lawyers to heighten tension for the reader.

Stevenson uses the character of Lanyon to convey Victorian fears of the future and potential of science during the rapid rate of scientific development after the industrial revolution

Stevenson contrasts Lanyon and Jekyll’s science to explore the different types of science, with Jekyll representing transgressive and unethical science and Lanyon being a voice of reason and skeptic to Jekyll’s work

Utterson - secrecy, Victorian Gentlemen

Utterson is rational - he seeks logical reasons as to why Jekyll might be in trouble.Therefore perhaps Stevenson uses him to symbolise the narrow and restrictive nature of the Victorian mindset.

Utterson’s logical approach also means he fails to suspect Jekyll may be capable of sinister thoughts and acts, perhaps symbolic of the refusal of Victorian upper-class society to acknowledge the darker side of human nature.

Utterson seeks the truth - the mystery he seeks to unravel builds tension and suspense for the reader

Perhaps Stevenson uses Utterson as a narrator to expose the secrecy of the Victorian upper-class, as the novella is full of secrets and not even the readers are sure of what’s going on

Utterson represents the typical Victorian gentlemen - moral, loyal, reputable, trustworthy, rational.