Characters and Terminology

Key characters in "Jekyll and Hyde":

1. Dr. Jekyll: Wealthy, respectable doctor and experimental scientist
2. Mr. Hyde: Violent, unpleasant-looking man; Jekyll's alter ego
3. Utterson: Calm, rational lawyer and Jekyll's friend
4. Dr. Lanyon: Conventional doctor and former friend of Jekyll
5. Sir Danvers Carew: Distinguished gentleman murdered by Hyde
6. Poole: Jekyll's loyal butler
7. Enfield: Utterson's cousin and man about town

Definition: Zoomorphism - Giving animal-like qualities to non-animal entities, often used to describe Hyde's appearance and behavior.

Gothic elements in the novella:

• Setting: Dark alleyways and mysterious buildings
• Characters: The monstrous Hyde
• Plot: Brutal murder of Sir Danvers Carew

Religious references:

• Hyde often compared to Satan
• Jekyll's favorite religious work defaced by Hyde

Highlight: The novella's use of gothic elements and religious imagery reinforces the theme of good versus evil.

Duality as a central theme:

• Contrasts in setting, character, and themes
• Reality vs. appearance
• Light vs. dark
• Rich vs. poor
• Good vs. evil

Themes of secrecy and silence:

• Characters isolate themselves to maintain reputation
• Information revealed gradually through letters and documents
• Sense of mystery and isolation surrounding each character

Vocabulary: Troglodytic - A person characterized by reclusive habits or outdated attitudes, often used to describe Hyde.

Vocabulary: Juggernaut - A huge, powerful, and overwhelming force, which can be applied to the unstoppable nature of Hyde's actions.

Character Analysis: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll character analysis:

• Well-respected and intelligent scientist
• Risks losing friendships and reputation for his experiments
• Struggles to control his alter ego, Hyde
• Believes in the duality of human nature

Quote: "I felt younger, lighter, happier in body" - Jekyll describing his initial transformation into Hyde.

Quote: "Man is not truly one, but truly two" - Jekyll's belief in the dual nature of humanity.

Jekyll's descent into Hyde:

• Gradually loses control over transformations
• Becomes increasingly dependent on the Hyde persona

Quote: "I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse."

Mr. Hyde character analysis:

• Physically small but violent and unpleasant in appearance
• Lacks social constraints and moral compass
• Commits multiple crimes without remorse
• Represents the dark, repressed side of Jekyll's personality

Quote: "With ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim" - Description of Hyde's violent nature.

Quote: "I mauled the unresisting body, tasting delight from every blow" - Hyde's lack of empathy and enjoyment of violence.

The transformation process:

Quote: "I had gone to bed as Henry Jekyll and awoke as Edward Hyde" - Illustrating the unpredictable nature of the transformations.

The novella explores the consequences of unleashing one's darker impulses and the struggle to maintain a respectable facade in Victorian society. Through the characters of Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson delves into the complex nature of human personality and the dangers of repression.

Page 3: Character Analysis of Jekyll and Hyde

Dr. Jekyll emerges as a complex protagonist whose scientific ambitions lead to his downfall. His transformation into Hyde represents the release of repressed Victorian desires.

Quote: "Man is not truly one but truly two" - a central theme expressing the duality of human nature.

Example: Jekyll's transformation is described as feeling "younger, lighter, happier in body," highlighting the initial appeal of his alter ego.

Hyde represents pure evil unleashed from social constraints, characterized by violence and lack of remorse.

Context and Setting

Robert Louis Stevenson's background deeply influenced "Jekyll and Hyde", incorporating themes of duality in Jekyll and Hyde throughout the novella:

• Born and raised in Edinburgh, giving him a dual Scottish and British identity
• Edinburgh's contrasting wealthy New Town and darker Old Town areas inspired the London setting
• Victorian London depicted with stark divisions between rich and poor areas

Highlight: The novella's London setting, based on Edinburgh, showcases areas of wealth and poverty, mirroring the duality theme.

Victorian context crucial for understanding the story:

• Rapid population growth in London led to overcrowding and increased crime
• Gothic and detective literature gained popularity
• Strict social codes for gentlemen to maintain reputation

Example: Jekyll lives in a wealthy area, while Hyde resides in a poor district, emphasizing social contrasts.

Themes of reputation and duality in Victorian society:

• Gentlemen expected to behave properly and visit only reputable establishments
• Jekyll creates Hyde to indulge in socially unacceptable behaviors while preserving his reputation

Quote: "Man is not truly one, but two" - This quote encapsulates the central theme of duality in the novella.

The conflict between religion and science:

• Religious teachings clash with Jekyll's scientific experiments
• Darwinism and evolution theories challenged Victorian beliefs
• Hyde's animalistic behavior reflects fears of humanity's primitive nature

Vocabulary: Darwinism - The theory of evolution by natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin.