Chapter 9 Flashcards
(2 cards)
“my life is shaken from its roots”
-after witnessing the transformation of Hyde into Jekyll, he laments that his “life is shaken from its roots”
-this metaphor compares his life to a plant such as a tree and the unprecedented revelation of the extent of scientific discovery seems to have uprooted the foundation of his being, leaving him vulnerable
-this phrase implies that the event irrevocably changed Lanyon’s life and destabilised his world view to its core
-the natural imagery created by this metaphor could perhaps serve as an attempt to emphasise the unorthodox nature of metaphysical science
-perhaps Stevenson is illustrating the consequences of scientific ambition theough the departure of natural order
“I shall die incredulous”
-not only does Stevenson criticise Scientific ambition but also ridicules the religious dogma of the Victorian society through the character of Lanyon who proclaims he shall “die incredulous”
-Lanyon would prefer to die in a state of perpetual disbelief rather than concede to the evidence of metaphysical science
-through the death of Lanyon, Stevenson showcases the ignorance of the religious purists perhaps illustrating the potential for the disintegration of society if they too choose to be incredulous
-Dr Lanyon could personify scepticism and the victorian anxieties of the consequences of science ambition
