Hyde Flashcards
(12 cards)
‘trampled calmly…’
The oxymoronic statement shows the contrast between the brutality of the action and the lack of emotion or remorse emphasizes Hyde’s lack of humanity or empathy.
‘like some damned Juggernaut’
The comparison ‘like some damned Juggernaut’ is a simile, likening Hyde to an unstoppable, destructive force. It shows that Hyde is not just violent—he is overwhelming, impersonal, and powerful, like a force of nature or machinery.
‘…really like Satan’
This direct simile links Hyde to the ultimate figure of evil, reinforcing his association with moral corruption, spiritual danger, and damnation. It’s a dramatic, culturally loaded comparison that conveys intense fear and loathing.
‘something displeasing, something downright detestable’
The harsh ‘d’ sounds in the alliteration of ‘downright detestable’ mimic a spitting or forceful tone, making the speaker’s moral revulsion more vivid and emphatic. The repetition in both structure and sound (‘something… something…’) creates a crescendo effect, building from mild displeasure to intense repulsion.
‘cried Mr Hyde, with a flush of anger’
The image of ‘flush of anger’ and emotive language shows that he is quick to strong emotions, showing his lack of self-control and restraint.
‘hissing intake of breath’
The word ‘hissing’ mimics the actual sound of a sharp intake of breath and makes the moment more vivid and immediate. It also adds a sinister, animalistic quality to Hyde’s response, making him seem less human, more instinctive and threatening.
‘snarled aloud into a savage laugh’
The word ‘snarled’ is an example of onomatopoeia, imitating a harsh, animalistic growl. It intensifies the physical and instinctive nature of Hyde’s reaction, suggesting hostility and aggression.
‘hardly human…troglodytic’
The term alludes to Darwinian theory, particularly The Descent of Man (1871), where humans evolved from more primitive forms.
‘with ape-like fury, …trampling his victim under foot’
The simile compares Hyde’s rage to that of an ape, suggesting he is primitive, bestial, and driven by uncontrollable instinct.
‘odious joy’
The oxymoron of joy being born of hate shows how Hyde is hated by everyone around him, as the woman is shown to be pleased with him being in trouble, fully conveying his hateful character.
‘a dismal screech, as of mere animal terror’
The word choice ‘screech..animal terror’ once again connects Hyde with being animalistic, but in contrast with the previous interpretations, here it portrays him as scared prey rather than powerful and intimidating.
‘Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil’
The phrase ‘alone in the ranks of mankind’ is an exaggerated expression, emphasizing the uniqueness of Hyde’s evil. It suggests that Hyde is so profoundly wicked that he stands apart from all of humanity—a distinct category of being. The hyperbole underlines the idea that Hyde is the ultimate representation of evil, beyond the ordinary range of human flaws or moral failings.
