Chapter 2

Question 1

“pale and dwarfish” Uttersons description of Hyde

Answer 1

-echoes Enfield’s description ‘little man’
-in reference to the pseudo-science of physiognomy
-Hyde could be so small as he [the immoral and violent side of Jekyll] has been repressed by Jekyll therefore stunting his growth
-alternatively, Hyde’s dwarfish nature could connote the victorian fears (due the obscurity of the turning of the century-Fin de Siècle ) that the advancement of science and medicine (such as the growing popularity of Charles Darwins theory of Evolution which seemed contrast a key belief in Christianity -creationism ) could in turn have an effect on the nation
-a prominent fear at the time was regression to the primitive stage of development -the homo Habilis who are noted to be smaller and simpler than humans
-Stevenson could be warning the consequences the fast societal development

Question 2

‘hardly human!something troglodytic’ [Utterson’s description of Hyde]

Answer 2

-Utterson refers to Hyde as a troglodyte( cave-dwelling early form of man)
-his extreme disgust towards Hyde
-the repetition of ‘something’ in relation to Hyde’s appearance (as seen in Chapter 1) creates an incessant air of ambiguity

Question 3

church clock rang at 12 when he would go “soberly and gratefully to bed”

Answer 3

-religion conducts not only his morality but also subtly influences every aspect of his life whilst sacrificing his autonomy
-Mr Utterson is controlled not just by the social conventions but also the dominating force of religion

Question 4

“great air of wealth and comfort”

Answer 4

-the nouns wealth and comfort invokes a sense of substantial luxury and could represent Jekyll’s position in society as a well respected gentleman
-alternatively symbolises Jekyll’s outwardly upright persona and perhaps his superego(his moral conscience which is predominantly dictated by the obligations of his status)
-the seemingly separate but connected buildings could also mirror the hidden yet inexplicable relationship between Jekyll and Hyde and therefore the ambiguity between pure good and pure evil

Question 5

Lanyon dismisses Jekyll’s science as “unscientific balderdash” that “would have estranged Damon and Pythias”

Answer 5

-in remaining loyal to religion , Lanyon criticises Jekyll’s work as “unscientific balderdash” as it delves into the metaphysical and almost supernatural
-this reflects Lanyon’s strict ,rational approach to science in comparison to Jekyll’s almost haphazard thirst for knowledge
-this quote could perhaps highlight the overarching theme of scientific boundaries discussed in the novella and the dangers of technological advancement
-furthermore, Lanyon states that Jekyll’s experimentation “would have estranged Damon and Pythias” - ancient Greek figures who became symbols of unwavering and profound friendship in the 18th and 19th century
-through thos hyperbolic statment, Stevenson highlights the key ideological differences between the religion and science which superceded kinship and took precedence over the personal lives of the individual
-it could be argued that the relationship between Jekyll and Lanyon is microcosmic of the conflict between religion and science
-the source of the science vs religion conflict largely stemmed from the publication of Darwins:Origin of the Species which was incoherent with the biblical creation story, thus creating tension within a heavily religious society