J&h Quotes

Question 1

man is not truly one, but truly two

Answer 1

Here, Jekyll observes that there are, in fact, two people within each of us. He uses the adjective “truly” – which simply means honestly, or factually – to emphasise himself. Here, 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.

Question 2

pale and dwarfish

Answer 2

Hyde is described as “pale and dwarfish.” These adjectives both relate to him being weak or deformed. Also, although “pale” relates to a lack of life or vigour, it also has horrific connotations which link him to vampires, or anyone else who spends no time around sunlight.

Question 3

a murderous mixture of timidity and boldness

Answer 3

This image is almost oxymoronic, but perfectly describes Hyde’s state. His “timidity” could come from how Hyde has not experienced the outside world so much, given that he was always hidden while he was kept in Jekyll’s id.

Question 4

Troglodytic

Answer 4

Here, Hyde is described using an adjective that literally means “cave dweller.” This draws comparisons with Neanderthal man, and pushes Hyde back down the evolutionary ladder. At the time, Darwin’s theory of evolution was still quite new and Stevenson’s use of this kind of scientific term would have made his story sound authentic and trustworthy.

Question 5

if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

clubbed / trampling / like a madman

Answer 6

When Hyde attacks Sir Danvers, Stevenson uses a range of verbs that make his attack sound violent and out of control. “Clubbed” relates him to cavemen – or “troglodytes” – who used to carry clubs around to batter their prey.

Question 7

ape-like fury

Answer 7

Danvers with “ape-like fury.” This simile – like many others in the book – clearly compares him to an animal, an ape, and places him further back down the evolutionary ladder than the civilised Victorian gentlemen.

Question 8

“If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.”

Answer 8

Hyde’s name is clearly a reference to the way that he is hidden, though his hiding is symbolic in a number of ways: in one sense he represents the id, and his hidden in our subconscious, kept far away from the judgement of the super-ego. In another sense, he represents the working class poor and dejected, who celebrated so many of the things that Hyde also enjoyed, but who are hidden from civilised society.