good / evil Flashcards
(16 cards)
“O my poor old Harry Jekyll, if I ever read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend”
Utterson claims that Hyde’s face contains “Satan’s signature.” Here, he is almost suggesting that Hyde is a work of evil art – as though Satan himself has signed off the creation. This is ironic, given the fact that it later turns out that the real creator of Hyde is, in fact, his “good friend Henry Jekyll”. Also, the alliteration here makes the phrase sound almost like an advertising gimmick, or a slogan, which infers that the evil in his “face” is so instantly recognisable to Utterson and the reader that it is almost branded on like a logo. This links to the Victorian concept of physiognomy- the belief that moral character could be judged by appearance. Hyde is also repeatedly described using images of “Satan” which makes it clear that he is a purest form of evil – a kind of symbolic, religious evil that normally only exists in theory, but which has now been created as flesh and bone. Alternatively, Stevenson’s use of the biblical allusion “Satan” reinforces Hyde’s alignment with religious notions of absolute evil. Interestingly, “Satan” was a fallen angel, an analogy to Jekyll, who transforms from a “respectable” man into something “hardly human”.
“primitive duality of man”
Jekyll’s realisation that there exists a “primitive duality of man” highlights Stevenson’s belief that every individual harbours both virtue and vice, constantly in conflict. The stative verb “duality” could be seen to represent the good and bad sides of each of us in a religious context; or the double lives that were being lived by Victorian gentlemen, as they balance their sordid pleasures with their desire to appear respectable; or even as a part of Freud’s structural theory where the Ego (Jekyll) contains both the Super-Ego (Victorian society) and the Id (Hyde). The adjective “primitive” also relates to original or basic, so here Stevenson is suggesting that at our most basic levels humans are inherently layered, with morality and instinct coexisting fundamentally.
“Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil”
By describing Hyde as “alone in the ranks of mankind” and “pure evil”, Stevenson removes Hyde of any semblance of humanity. The stark isolation implied in the adjective “alone” contrasts with the structured idea of “ranks,” reinforcing Hyde’s exclusion from conventional morality and civilized society, emphasising how unique and isolated he was. In some ways, this creates a similar sympathy for Hyde as we might feel for Frankenstein’s Monster, since neither asked to be created. However, Frankenstein’s Monster seeks acceptance, whereas in contrast Hyde actively revels in his evil. This highlights how his “evil” is not imposed- it is chosen, reinforcing his moral depravity. Furthermore, Stevenson’s description of Hyde as “pure evil” removes any possibility of redemption, presenting him as the embodiment of innate sin- an entity entirely beyond moral rehabilitation. This highlights his separation from “mankind” as he doesn’t fit into the “ranks” that define humanity, thus alienating him. This links to Victorian fears of degeneration, perhaps suggesting that Hyde is not just feared, but is entirely incompatible with humanity.
“man is not truly one, but truly two”
Here, Jekyll observes that there are, in fact, two people within each of us as “man is not truly one, but truly two”. The repetition of the adjective “truly” amplifies Jekyll’s certainty, emphasising duality as an indisputable fact rather than a mere theory. Meanwhile the “two” could refer to both the civilised side of humanity - which is represented by the upper class and very respectable Henry Jekyll - and the “beast within,” Hyde. It could also be Stevenson suggesting that there isn’t as much difference between the uncivilised rabble and gentlemen as many people would like to believe. This reflects the Manichean belief that Good and Evil exist as distinct, irreconcilable forces, suggesting that human nature itself is governed by perpetual moral conflict.
“ape-like fury”
Hyde’s “ape-like fury” can be seen as a reflection of Victorian fears of degeneration (atavism)- the idea that humans could regress or revert back to more primitive and less evolved forms. This is because the adjective “ape-like” aligns Hyde with Darwin’s evolutionary theory, presenting him as less evolved, and therefore, more dangerous This simile emphasises his animalistic nature, suggesting that Hyde’s violence is driven by raw, untamed impulses. His “fury” also infers an explosive and uncontrollable energy- one that isn’t premeditated but instead brutal and spontaneous, just like the behaviour of a wild animal.
“my devil had been long caged, he came out roaring”
The “devil” represents the darker, primal side of human nature. It isn’t just evil, but embodies all suppressed desires and forbidden urges that a Victorian society would look down upon. Here, Jekyll views Hyde as the personification of everything he has repressed. The fact that it had been “long caged” highlights Jekyll’s lifelong struggle to maintain a respectable facade- he had metaphorically locked away his instincts to meet these social expectations. This provides an image of forced restraint and denial. Finally, it “came out roaring” which evokes imagery of an animal or a monster, emphasising that Hyde, like an untamed creature acts impulsively. The adjective “roaring” has connotations of aggression and an explosive release, thus inferring how unnatural it is to “cage” one’s true identity.
“if I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also”
Because of Hyde, Jekyll becomes a ‘‘sinner’’, acting against his moral code and the expectations of Victorian society. However, he is also the ‘‘chief of sufferers’’ because he cannot escape the psychological impact of his actions. This paradox suggests that ultimately no one can escape the consequences of their true nature. Moreover, ‘‘chief’’ has connotations of being the most important or main, so by saying that he is the ‘‘chief’’ of both ‘‘sin’’ and ‘suffering’’ suggests that Jekyll has become the ultimate embodiment of both sin and suffering- no one surpasses his mastery of self-destruction. This internal torment is further emphasised through the symmetrical structure of the phrase, subtly mirroring Jekyll’s divided self. By pairing “sin” and “suffering” he suggests that one cannot exist without the other as they are intrinsically linked- indulgence inevitably invites torment, ensuring his descent into ruins is unavoidable.
“It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it”
Stevenson draws a distinction between repressing curiosity and truly overcoming it. ‘Mortify’ suggests forced restraint, as though temptation is being strangled rather than resolved, while ‘conquer’ implies absolute mastery. Yet, Stevenson challenges whether curiosity can ever be fully subdued- suggesting that knowledge, once pursued, is irreversible. This reflects Victorian scientific ambition, where suppression was idealized but ultimately futile, leading figures like Jekyll into moral and existential ruin.
“I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde”
The stark immediacy of “I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde” exposes the fragile and permeable boundary between good and evil. Stevenson dismantles the illusion of a stable identity, revealing it as disturbingly malleable. Moreover, the sentence’s structural simplicity mirrors the transformation’s effortlessness.
“I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it”
The repetition in “I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it”, highlights the undeniable reality of what Lanyon witnessed, suggesting disbelief and horror. It is almost as if he needs to affirm to himself that the experience was real- it is so unimaginable he cannot process it. The phrase “my soul sickened” illustrates the depth of his reaction- it suggests that witnessing this evil has affected him not just physically or emotionally, but spiritually in his “soul” too. This could be linked to the Christian beliefs about the soul; Victorians believed that it was pure and eternal, but Hyde’s transformation challenges this idea, suggesting that evil can corrupt the soul itself. Therefore, Lanyon’s reaction would have terrified a religious Victorian reader.
“my life is shaken to the roots; sleep has left me; the deadliest terror sits by me at all hours of day and night”
This suggests that his core beliefs, sense of self and trust in the stability of the world has been deeply unsettled. Not only has Hyde impacted Lanyon’s outer life, but has also affected him to the “roots”. The fact that even “sleep has left” him infers that his mind is haunted by what he has witnessed, as sleep is vital for peace, rest, comfort and safety. Therefore, Hyde has taken away his ability to find solace or refuge in unconsciousness, leaving him constantly on edge as though every moment is under threat. This “terror” has also turned psychological as it is ever-present “at all hours”. Finally, the use of the superlative, “deadliest” infers that there is nothing worse that could happen to him.
key ideas?
- The universal struggle between good and evil
- Hyde as the manifestation of evil
- blurred boundaries between morality and sin
- reactions to good vs evil?
quotes for key idea 1 (universal struggle between good and evil)
“Man is not truly one, but truly two.”
“Primitive duality of man.”
quotes for key idea 2 (Hyde as manifestation of evil)
“Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.”
“My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”
“Ape-like fury.”
quotes for key idea 3 (blurred boundaries between morality and sin)
“If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also.”
“I had gone to bed Henry Jekyll, I had awakened Edward Hyde.”
“It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it.”
quotes for key idea 4 (reactions to good vs evil)
“I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it”
“my life is shaken to the roots; sleep has left me; the deadliest terror sits by me at all hours of day and night”
