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24
0
Eloise
05/08/2025
English Literature
Setting in Jekyll and Hyde
1,595
•
5 Aug 2025
•
Exploring London and Fog in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Eloise
@eloise_wlsn
Setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stevenson masterfully uses the London setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to create a haunting atmosphere that reflects the novel's themes of duality and moral ambiguity. The familiar streets of Victorian London are transformed into a nightmarish landscape, making the story even more unsettling for contemporary readers.
The author emphasizes the emptiness of London's streets, which adds to the overall tension. For instance, when Poole takes Utterson to Jekyll's house, Utterson notes that he had never seen that part of London so deserted. This eerie emptiness serves to isolate the characters and heighten the sense of unease.
Quote: "He had never seen that part of London so deserted."
Stevenson's portrayal of Soho is particularly striking, describing it as "a district of some city in a nightmare." This vivid imagery underscores the dark and foreboding nature of the setting, which mirrors the psychological turmoil of the characters.
The symbolism of fog in Victorian literature is employed extensively throughout the novel. The fog serves multiple purposes:
- It works against the characters by restricting their view of events, creating a sense of uncertainty and danger.
- It symbolizes mystery, particularly in relation to Jekyll's house, which is described as 'foggy,' representing how deeply his secret is suppressed.
Highlight: The use of fog and darkness symbolizes the narrative as a whole - only one part of the truth can be seen at any time.
The moon also plays a significant role in highlighting certain aspects of the setting. For example, Carew's murder is described as "brilliantly lit by the full moon," adding suspense and spotlighting the violent act.
Jekyll's house is a central symbol in the novel, embodying the duality of Jekyll's house symbolism. The house represents the respectable public face of man, with its "air of wealth," while Hyde's entrance and the laboratory represent the darker, hidden side of human nature. This duality is further emphasized by the contrast between the front and back of the house:
Example: The laboratory has a "blistered and distained" back door, symbolizing how the Hyde side of Jekyll's personality is connected to him but kept hidden away.
The laboratory itself is a powerful symbol of Jekyll's shame and his attempts to suppress Hyde. It is described as a "dingy windowless structure," emphasizing its secrecy and suitability as a hiding place. The lack of windows represents Jekyll's desire to conceal his experiments and his darker nature from the outside world.
Vocabulary: Dingy - gloomy and drab in appearance.
As Hyde becomes more powerful, Jekyll's house transforms into a "house of bondage," becoming increasingly sinister. Jekyll's decision to lock himself in the house symbolizes his desperate attempts to contain Hyde within himself.
The personification of fog as an ethereal being that looks down over the dark city adds another layer of symbolism to the setting. This representation reflects Victorian repression of innermost desires and the concealment of truth:
Quote: "The fog slept on the wing above the drowned city."
This vivid imagery suggests that the natural environment is all-consuming, with clouds smothering the city, much like how societal expectations and moral constraints smother the characters' true natures.
In conclusion, Stevenson's use of setting in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is masterful, creating a rich tapestry of symbolism that enhances the novel's themes of duality, repression, and the struggle between good and evil. The London setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with its fog-shrouded streets and ominous architecture, serves as a powerful metaphor for the complex psychological landscape of the human mind.
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App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Exploring London and Fog in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Eloise
@eloise_wlsn
The London setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeplays a crucial role in creating a nightmarish atmosphere and heightening the sense of duality throughout the novel. Stevenson's portrayal of Victorian London serves as both a familiar backdrop and a... Show more
Setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stevenson masterfully uses the London setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to create a haunting atmosphere that reflects the novel's themes of duality and moral ambiguity. The familiar streets of Victorian London are transformed into a nightmarish landscape, making the story even more unsettling for contemporary readers.
The author emphasizes the emptiness of London's streets, which adds to the overall tension. For instance, when Poole takes Utterson to Jekyll's house, Utterson notes that he had never seen that part of London so deserted. This eerie emptiness serves to isolate the characters and heighten the sense of unease.
Quote: "He had never seen that part of London so deserted."
Stevenson's portrayal of Soho is particularly striking, describing it as "a district of some city in a nightmare." This vivid imagery underscores the dark and foreboding nature of the setting, which mirrors the psychological turmoil of the characters.
The symbolism of fog in Victorian literature is employed extensively throughout the novel. The fog serves multiple purposes:
- It works against the characters by restricting their view of events, creating a sense of uncertainty and danger.
- It symbolizes mystery, particularly in relation to Jekyll's house, which is described as 'foggy,' representing how deeply his secret is suppressed.
Highlight: The use of fog and darkness symbolizes the narrative as a whole - only one part of the truth can be seen at any time.
The moon also plays a significant role in highlighting certain aspects of the setting. For example, Carew's murder is described as "brilliantly lit by the full moon," adding suspense and spotlighting the violent act.
Jekyll's house is a central symbol in the novel, embodying the duality of Jekyll's house symbolism. The house represents the respectable public face of man, with its "air of wealth," while Hyde's entrance and the laboratory represent the darker, hidden side of human nature. This duality is further emphasized by the contrast between the front and back of the house:
Example: The laboratory has a "blistered and distained" back door, symbolizing how the Hyde side of Jekyll's personality is connected to him but kept hidden away.
The laboratory itself is a powerful symbol of Jekyll's shame and his attempts to suppress Hyde. It is described as a "dingy windowless structure," emphasizing its secrecy and suitability as a hiding place. The lack of windows represents Jekyll's desire to conceal his experiments and his darker nature from the outside world.
Vocabulary: Dingy - gloomy and drab in appearance.
As Hyde becomes more powerful, Jekyll's house transforms into a "house of bondage," becoming increasingly sinister. Jekyll's decision to lock himself in the house symbolizes his desperate attempts to contain Hyde within himself.
The personification of fog as an ethereal being that looks down over the dark city adds another layer of symbolism to the setting. This representation reflects Victorian repression of innermost desires and the concealment of truth:
Quote: "The fog slept on the wing above the drowned city."
This vivid imagery suggests that the natural environment is all-consuming, with clouds smothering the city, much like how societal expectations and moral constraints smother the characters' true natures.
In conclusion, Stevenson's use of setting in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is masterful, creating a rich tapestry of symbolism that enhances the novel's themes of duality, repression, and the struggle between good and evil. The London setting in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with its fog-shrouded streets and ominous architecture, serves as a powerful metaphor for the complex psychological landscape of the human mind.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user