Repression in Victorian Society

The theme of repression is closely tied to the concept of duality in "Jekyll and Hyde". Victorian society's strict moral codes forced individuals to repress their desires and maintain a respectable public image.

Quote: "austere with himself, drank gin when he was alone to mortify a taste for vintages"

This quote illustrates how Jekyll attempts to repress his desires through self-denial, fearing that indulgence would corrupt him and damage his reputation.

The character of Mr. Hyde represents the unleashing of repressed desires, resulting in violent and immoral behavior. Stevenson suggests that extreme repression can lead to equally extreme outlets for suppressed impulses.

Quote: "my devil had long been caged, he came out roaring"

This vivid imagery compares Hyde to a caged animal, emphasizing the dangerous consequences of repressing one's darker nature.

Highlight: The novel's exploration of repression reflects the strict censorship of the Victorian era, forcing Stevenson to deal with taboo subjects indirectly.

The theme of repression extends to the characters' tendency to conceal information and maintain secrecy, reflecting the broader social pressure to hide anything deemed improper or scandalous.

Mystery and Secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde

The novella is structured as a mystery, with information gradually revealed to both the characters and the reader. This approach reflects the secretive nature of Victorian society and the theme of repression.

Vocabulary: Charactonym - A name given to a literary character that is descriptive of their personality or role in the story.

The name "Hyde" itself is a charactonym, suggesting the character's elusive nature and tendency to hide.

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

This clever wordplay by Utterson emphasizes the mysterious nature of Hyde and the quest to uncover the truth.

Stevenson uses various literary devices to create an atmosphere of mystery and secrecy:

• Fog as a metaphor for confusion and obscured truth • The recurring motif of locked doors and barred windows • The use of written narratives to reveal crucial information

Highlight: The structure of the novel, withholding key information until the end, mirrors the secretive nature of its characters and Victorian society as a whole.

The theme of mystery and secrecy in "Jekyll and Hyde" reflects the broader Victorian preoccupation with maintaining appearances and concealing potentially scandalous truths.

Science and Morality in Jekyll and Hyde

Stevenson's novella explores the relationship between scientific advancement and moral responsibility, a key concern in Victorian society.

Quote: "Unscientific balderdash"

This dismissive comment by Dr. Lanyon represents the conflict between traditional scientific thinking and Jekyll's more experimental approach.

The character of Dr. Jekyll embodies the potential dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, as his experiments lead to disastrous consequences.

Highlight: The novella reflects Victorian anxieties about evolution and the potential for human regression, influenced by Charles Darwin's theories.

Stevenson uses animalistic imagery to describe Mr. Hyde, tapping into fears about the primitive nature lurking within civilized humans:

Quote: "Ape-like", "primitive", "savage"

The transformation of Jekyll's laboratory from a bustling center of learning to a silent, abandoned space symbolizes his descent from respected scientist to isolated experimenter.

Example: "once crowded with eager students" to "lying gaunt and silent"

This change reflects broader concerns about the potential for scientific advancement to lead to moral decay and social isolation.

The exploration of science and morality in "Jekyll and Hyde" continues to resonate with modern readers, highlighting the timeless struggle between scientific progress and ethical considerations.

Duality in Jekyll and Hyde

The theme of duality is central to Stevenson's novella, reflecting the complex nature of human beings and Victorian society. The story explores how individuals contain both good and evil aspects, constantly struggling between these opposing forces.

Quote: "man is not truly one, but truly two"

This quote encapsulates the core idea that humans are not simply one-dimensional, but a complex mix of good and evil. The struggle between these aspects is what makes us human.

Highlight: The setting of Victorian London itself embodies duality, with its respectable facade hiding a dark underbelly of vice and immorality.

The character of Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, and his alter ego Mr. Hyde, a violent and immoral figure, personify this duality. Jekyll's house, with its contrasting front and back entrances, further symbolizes this split nature.

Example: Stevenson's inspiration for the theme of duality came from his hometown of Edinburgh, which was divided into the respectable "New Town" and the seedy "Old Town".

The novella suggests that attempting to completely separate good and evil aspects of oneself is futile and potentially dangerous. Jekyll's experiment to isolate his darker impulses ultimately leads to his downfall.

Quote: "If I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both"

This quote highlights the inseparable nature of good and evil within individuals, challenging the Victorian ideal of moral purity.