Victorian Context and Social Commentary

Jekyll and Hyde is deeply rooted in its Victorian context, offering commentary on the social norms and pressures of the era. Key aspects include:

1. The importance of reputation and respectability
2. The conflict between scientific progress and traditional morality
3. The hidden nature of vice in seemingly respectable society

Vocabulary: "Queer Street" - A colloquial term for a state of difficulty or dubious circumstances, often financial.

The novel's exploration of duality reflects the often rigid social expectations of the Victorian era, where individuals were expected to maintain a respectable public image while potentially harboring darker impulses or secrets.

Highlight: The character of Utterson represents the ideal Victorian gentleman – respectable, discreet, and morally upright. His role as the primary investigator allows the reader to experience the story through the lens of conventional Victorian morality.

Stevenson's portrayal of London, with its fog-shrouded streets and hidden dangers, serves as a metaphor for the obscured nature of evil in society. This setting reinforces the theme of duality, suggesting that beneath the civilized facade of Victorian London lurks a world of danger and moral corruption.

Structure and Character Introduction

Robert Louis Stevenson carefully crafts the structure of Jekyll and Hyde to build suspense and intrigue. The chapter titles often have a deeper relationship to the content, going beyond mere description to hint at underlying themes.

The order in which characters are introduced is significant. Mr. Utterson, the respectable lawyer, is presented first, establishing him as a moral anchor for the reader. This choice allows the reader to experience the mystery of Jekyll and Hyde through the eyes of a trustworthy narrator.

Quote: "He had an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds."

This description of Utterson sets up his role as an impartial observer, while also hinting at the internal struggle between propriety and temptation that becomes central to the novel.

Highlight: Stevenson introduces Jekyll and Hyde through other characters' impressions before the reader meets them directly, creating an air of mystery and allowing multiple perspectives on their nature.

Dr. Lanyon's description of Jekyll as becoming "too fanciful" would have been particularly striking to a Victorian reader, as it suggests a departure from rational, scientific thinking – a highly valued trait in that era.

Quote: "If he be Mr. Hyde [...] I shall be Mr. Seek."

This clever wordplay by Utterson encapsulates the novel's central mystery and his determination to uncover the truth, foreshadowing the investigative nature of the plot.