Jekyll and Hyde Flashcards
“charitable man” (jekyll)
Jekyll has the image of a generous man”
“My devil has long been caged, he came out roaring” (Jekyll)
Jekyll’s inner ‘devil is a manifestation of his deeper desires. The connotations of ‘devil’ also suggest that Jekyll’s desires are in direct opposition to contemporary Christian ideology.
“I felt younger, lighter and happier in body” (Jekyll)
Stevenson used a triadic structure to show how burdensome the restraints of society are on Jekyll.
“He came out of his seclusion” (Jekyll)
After indulging in Hyde, Jekyll attempts to re-assimilate into society.
“Man is truly not one but two” (Jekyll)
Jekyll believes the human psyche can be split.
“ape-like” (Hyde)
This shows Hyde’s animalistic qualities.
“Damnned Juggernaut” (Hyde)
Implies Hyde is a hugely overwhelming destructive force.
“Drinking pleasure with bestial avidity from any degree of torture to another; relentless; like a man of stone. “ (Hyde)
The hedonistic connotations of excessive drinking further cause the reader to dislike Hyde for his self-indulgence.
“The other snarled around into a savage laugh; and the next moment, with extraordinary quickness, he had unlocked the door and disappeared into the house.” (Hyde)
“Savage” and “snarled” gives a sense of unrestrained and uncontrollable destruction, and freedom: Hyde is a degenerate. Sibilance reinforces his underlying sinisterness. “extraordinary quickness” highlights Hyde’s supernatural force.
“There was something abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of the creature.”
“abnormal” differentiates Hyde from all other beings. In his reference to the “very essence”, Stevenson is commenting on the true evil personality of Mr Hyde. This could also imply that Mr Hyde is the true essence of Dr Jekyll.
“A rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile.” (Utterson)
He is reserved and seemingly unaffected by emotion.
“The last good influence of down-going men.” (Utterson)
He is a man of significant morals as he is the last role model for criminals.
“I shall consider it my duty to break in that door.” (Utterson)
He is investigative, reasoned and rational but feels duty-bound to protect his friend.
“If he will be Mr Hyde…I shall be Mr Seek.” (Utterson)
Shows his innate curiosity, which propels the plot forward. It also emphasises the theme of opposites throughout the novel.
“Professional honour and faith to his dead friend were stringent obligations, and the packet slept in the inmost corner of his private safe.” (Utterson)
Friendship is valued over curiosity. This makes Utterson an even more reliable narrator.
