Jekyll and Hyde themes

Question 1

Duality

Answer 1

1. Hides debauchery behind respectable public personae
2. Façade of the Victorian gentleman - similar theories to Freud
3. Concept of man being a variable composite of good and evil
4. Vivid imagery mirrors overarching theme of duality

Question 2

Reputation and secrecy

Answer 2

1. Hides debauchery behind respectable public personae
2. Hypocritical society - Reputation earned from secrecy and duplicity
3. Recurring motif of fog and darkness is emblematic of secrecy
4. Reveals unspoken understanding between gentlemen’s secret lives

Question 3

Gender and sexuality

Answer 3

1. Potentially an allegory about homosexuality in Victorian London
2. Horrifying degree of sexual motivation/energy in Hyde’s crimes
3. Hyde’s weaknesses are expressed with feminine attributes
4. Female characters are scarce and displayed particularly negatively

Question 4

Religion and science

Answer 4

1. Transcendental science is akin to playing God - No good can come from it.
2. Christian temptation to show Hyde’s corruption of Jekyll
3. God deserts sinners, rather than providing comfort or redemption
4. Warns readers of dangers of intense scientific curiosity

Question 5

Setting

Answer 5

1. Vivid imagery to mirror overarching theme of duality
2. Settings reflect rigid class structure of Victorian Britain
3. Setting contributes to an essential part of gothic and mystery literary canon
4. Recurring motif of fog and darkness is emblematic of secrecy