Dr Jekyll

WHO IS HE?

  • Dr. Jekyll is a well-respected doctor, who is possibly based on William Brodie (cabinet maker who stole/shows double life).

  • Jekyll is a member of the upper-class with a big secret (Hyde)

During the novel Jekyll…

  • Develops a concoction which separates the good and evil sides of himself, which forms Hyde who allows him to indulge in his immoral desires.

  • Throughout the novel Jekyll loses control of transforming into Hyde

  • In the end Hyde obtains too much power and Jekyll ends up trapped in Hyde form till Hyde commits suicide

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • moral & honourable

    Jekyll participates in charity work. Some may say that his purpose in making the drug was to make himself a better person and had good intentions. But it could be argues that he did it for selfish reasons and that his aim was to be able to fulfill his pleasures without consequences from society. Jekyll is also very social and friendly as of his tendency to hold dinner parties

  • inventive

    Jekyll is highly intelligent with a curious mind and decides to experiment with separating the two parts of himself. Here Jekyll could symbolise the thought of transcendental science against religion during Victorian era

KEY MOMENTS

  • Chapter 3 (Jekyll was quite at ease):

    Jekyll is quite at ease, is fond of Hyde as he has control over him, however his appearance has started to change

  • Chapter 5 (Incident of the letter):

    After Hyde kills Carew Jekyll is ‘quite done’ with Hyde. His physical appearance is now even worse

  • Chapter 6 (Remarkable incident of Dr. Lanyon):

    Jekyll tries to resist turning into Hyde and builds up his reputation, however Hyde grows more powerful and kills Lanyon

  • Chapter 7 (Incident at the window):

    Jekyll is losing power over Hyde and isolates himself. He accidentally transforms into Hyde in front of Utterson and Enfield

  • Chapter 8 (The Last Night):

    Jekyll loses control of his body and Hyde takes over. Later they both die as Hyde commits suicide to avoid getting caught

  • Chapter 10 (Jekyll’s Confession):

    Jekyll describes why he wanted to create Hyde

    Jekyll is in despair after Hyde murders Carew, and relieved to turn back

    Jekyll describes losing his better self and Hyde taking over