Hyde's Violence: Beyond Human Control
Later in the novella, Hyde's animalistic nature becomes even more apparent during the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. Stevenson describes him as breaking out 'in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on like a madman.'
The imagery here is deliberately overwhelming. 'Great flame of anger' suggests destructive fire that consumes everything in its path. The verb 'stamping' evokes images of large, dangerous animals like elephants - creatures that could easily crush a human being.
The simile 'like a madman' is particularly effective because it suggests Hyde has completely lost control of his rational mind. In an era when mental asylums were feared places, comparing someone to a madman immediately signals extreme danger.
The phrase 'ape-like fury' reinforces Hyde's position as an unevolved creature. Apes were seen as humanity's primitive ancestors, so describing Hyde this way suggests he's taken several steps backwards in human development, making him unpredictable and savage.
Exam Tip: Always link Hyde's animal imagery back to Victorian fears about losing civilised behaviour and reverting to primitive instincts.