Jekyll and Hyde Setting Flashcards
(16 cards)
“The street shone out in contrast to the dingy neighbourhood, like a fire in a forest”
Setting - The simile “like a fire in a forest” shows that the area is bright and lively, contrasts with word choice “dingy”, implying it isn’t typical of the area
“The door, … was blistered and disdained”
Setting - word choice suggests something sinister, blistered connotes pain. Contrasts with the liveliness of the street, presenting/foreshadowing the theme of duality
“about 3 o’clock on a black winter morning…literally nothing to be seen but lamps”
Setting/Theme of Secrecy - word choice and hyperbolical statement emphasises the darkness on the street, and makes the reader question why Enfield was out so late, suggests he was also doing something less than respectable.
“The streets as clean as a ballroom floor….the lanes, and the driveways, and the courtyard…plunged in darkness”
Setting, Theme of Duality - The contrast between the well kept streets and darkness symbolises the duality of Victorian London and reflects the wider theme of duality.
“The steps drew swiftly nearer, and swelled out suddenly louder”
Setting - The rapid acceleration of the pacing “swiftly nearer” creates a sense of urgency and threat, creating a foreboding and intimidating tone.
“which wore a great air of wealth and comfort”
Setting - Personification of the house “wearing” wealth shows the extravagance and commodity of Jekyll’s house
“A fog rolled over the city”
Setting/Theme of Secrecy - The symbolism of the fog conveys actions being hidden, in this case the fog lifted as the maid saw the murder, further connecting fog to secrecy or hidden actions. The symbol of fog is repeated throughout the story creating and representing secrecy.
“a great chocolate-coloured pall lowered over heaven”
Setting/Theme of Secrecy - The metaphor emphasises the thickness of the fog over london. The fog once again symbolises the theme of secrecy and how the case is shrouded in mystery.
“dismal quarter of Soho…its muddy ways, and slatternly passages and its lamps…mournful reinvasion of darkness…like some city in a nightmare”
Setting - Metaphor “mournful reinvasion of darkness” emphasises the dim of the street and the lack of light - can be associated with a lack of morals or goodness, simile of “like some city in a nightmare” coveys the unsettling nature of the area. This area mirrors Hyde as he lives here, further associating Hyde with evil.
“A closet was filled with wine; the plate was of silver, the napery elegant…”
Characterisation of Hyde - List of luxurious items shows how his living space is commodious and has grandeur. This contrasts with Hyde’s portrayal as less evolved and the dingy area he lives in, however it is similar to Jekyll’s well-furnished house, showing the close connection between them.
“…the lawyer had been received in that part of his friend’s quarters;… dingy, windowless structure…distasteful sense of strangeness”
Setting - The word choice “dingy, windowless” has connotations of being shady or suspicious, and is associated with Hyde The fact that Jekyll meets Utterson in a place commonly associated with Hyde creates tension and further connects Jekyll and Hyde.
“The fog still slept on the wing above the drowned city”
Setting/Theme of Secrecy - The symbolism of fog once again conveys the secrets and mystery of the case - it appears every time there is a significant unknown - in this case, the letter.
“The court was very cool and a little damp…the sky…was still bright with sunset”
Setting - The contrast between the damp and dark court and the bright sky further shows the theme of duality, as well as the dark area around Jekyll’s home reflects his state.
“wild, cold, seasonable”
Setting - The juxtaposition of the weather being described as both wild and seasonable is a pathetic fallacy as it reflects the unpredictability and chaos of the situation.
“a pale moon lying on her back as though the wind had tilted her”
Setting - Personification of the moon being referred to with human-like pronouns. The personification conveys vulnerability. The moon is symbolic of peace and natural order, and the fact that it has been turned over reflects the chaos and disorder in the chapter caused by Jekyll’s experimentation.
“The scud (cloud) had banked over the moon, and it was now quite dark”
Setting - The pathetic fallacy of the sky darkening is ominous, as well as reflecting Hyde’s takeover, as he is often associated with darkness throughout the novella.
