Jekyll

Question 1

Who is Jekyll

Answer 1

A respectable Victorian gentleman who struggles with repressing his dual side

Question 2

Key quotes from the start of the play

Answer 2

Chapter 3:
-‘smooth-faced man of fifty’ ‘slyish cast’ : It is a metaphor for the way in which Jekyll takes good care of his appearance and reputation. However, this may foreshadow his evil side as it portrays him as deceitful which links to the inescapability of original sin.
-‘topic was distasteful’ ‘gaily’ : Jekyll has a contrast between the way he feels and speaks. Despite not liking the topic, he hid his real emotions to keep up the good public reputation.
-‘The face of Dr Jekyll grew pale’ ‘came a blackness about his eyes.’ : His ‘handsome face’ turns ‘pale’ metaphorically suggesting that Hyde has a sickening affect on Jekyll and his moral. Hyde’s presence can make others ill which makes evil contagious. Also, ‘grew’ highlights that it is only getting worse over time.
-‘I cannot find the words to thank you’ : very polite. Also a reminder of the animalistic nature in Jekyll as he can’t properly speak.

Question 3

Key quotes from the middle of the play

Answer 3

Chapter 5 :
-‘looking deathly sick’ : creates a sinister tone and describes Jekyll’s physical and mental state being affected. Almost like a consequence for keeping all these secrets inside of him.
-‘he did not rise to meet his visitor’ : loss of strength or respect. Also, there is a slight change to his position as a victorian gentleman because they usually try to do anything in order to be as polite, but Jekyll doesn’t care as much now.

Question 4

Key quotes from the end of the play

Answer 4

Chapter 9 :
-‘Like a man restored from death’ : simile of resurrection to show how unrecognisable he is. Possibly links to Jesus’ resurrection and how no one realised it was him after.

Chapter 10 :
-‘that man is not truly one but truly two’ : Jekyll recognises that within every person there is a constant battle of two sides. This would have been very shocking for a victorian audience as it showed how all reputable men had an evil side.
‘My devil had long been caged and it came out roaring’ :the use of the possessive pronoun ‘my’ highlights how Jekyll takes possession over Hyde and now recognises him as a part of himself. ‘Caged’ refers to the victorian’s obsession with reputation and how it will eventually lead to this terror.
‘I felt younger, lighter, happier’ : highlights how appealing evil is because it makes a person feel more free. This could be seen as dangerous because the victorian gentlemen had to try their best to be as respectable as possible and turning evil will free this pressure.