Lanyon

Question 1

” a good fellow - you needn’t frown - an excellent fellow”]
chapter 3
reputation

“hide bound pedant for all that; an ignorant blatant pedant”

Answer 1

Jekyll’s contradictory feelings toward Lanyon highlight the duality of human relationships. The repetition of “fellow” and the interruption “you needn’t frown” suggest Jekyll’s internal conflict, blending respect with bitterness. The self-correction reveals his attempt to mask deeper resentment, showing how Victorian repression affects even friendships.

Jekyll’s Resentment of Lanyon
The repetition of “pedant” and “ignorant, blatant pedant” reinforces Jekyll’s bitterness. The adjective “ignorant” reveals his view of Lanyon as narrow-minded, while “blatant” intensifies his criticism. The harsh consonance of the “t” sound emphasises his hostility, showing how professional rivalry spills into personal relationships.

Theme of Duality
Jekyll’s contradictory views on Lanyon reinforce the novel’s theme of duality, showing how even close relationships are torn apart by inner conflict and societal pressures.

Question 2

“such unscientific balderdash… would have estranged Damon and Pythias”
Science vs religion
Friendship and loyalty
Chapter 2

Answer 2

• “Damon and Pythias” is a reference to Greek mythology used in the 18th and 19th century to symbolise strong friendships
• He embodies rationalism, they are both doctor with polar perspectives of science
• This portrays the conflict between religion and science as so pertinent it supersedes kin relations : it took precedence over the personal lives of the individual
• Lanyon’s allusion to mythology almost ridicules him as a scientist as it exposes his beliefs are not exclusively scientific
• Stevenson could be cirtiquing how the science that is strongly influenced by religion may be distored and not entirely accurate - calling upon a transforamtion of science and religion and their place in society’s discourse

Embodiment of rationalism: In the dichotomy (contrast) between Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon Stevenson explores scientific rationalism vs the allure of the unknown. Lanyon embodies rationalism (basing opinion on fact rather than religion/ unexplained phenomena) dismissing Jekyll’s experiments as “unscientific balderdash,” a scathing indictment (criticism) that exposes their polar perspectives on science and worldviews.
* While both are doctors, Lanyon’s unwavering adherence to the verifiable separates him from Jekyll’s morbid curiosity and exploration into the transcends ever bodeo insed delise Hord, the strait of the battle
for scientific truth can supersede (replace) personal loyalties.
* Mythological allusion: Lanyon’s allusion to mythology with “Damon and Pythias” serves to ridicule him as a scientist, revealing that his beliefs extend beyond the purely scientific realm.* Stevenson may be offering a critique of how science heavily influenced by religion can become distorted and inherently flawed, prompting a reassessment of the relationship between science and religion within societal discourse way people speak in society).This exposes the blurred line between scientific objectivity (not influenced by emotions) and the lingering influence of religious belief.

NEW:
🔵 Rationalism vs Curiosity
Lanyon embodies rationalism, dismissing Jekyll’s experiments as “unscientific balderdash.” This shows their polar worldviews: Jekyll embraces unknown science, Lanyon clings to empirical proof.

🔵 Friendship vs Scientific Division
The mythological allusion to “Damon and Pythias” — ancient symbols of loyalty — highlights how scientific disagreement can supersede even the strongest personal bonds. Stevenson critiques how ideological conflict can override human relationships.

🔵 Religion’s Distortion of Science
Lanyon’s classical allusion ironically exposes that his science is not purely objective; it is still influenced by myth, tradition, and belief. Stevenson laments how Victorian science was often distorted by lingering religious ideology, calling for a transformation in societal thought.

Question 3

“Jekyll became too fanciful for me”
chapter 2

Science vs. Religion
Duality
Rationality & Madness

Answer 3

Lanyon’s rejection of Jekyll’s experimentation highlights his commitment to traditional science and the rationality that guides it. He represents the limits of scientific exploration, emphasizing the dangers of abandoning scientific integrity in pursuit of the unknown.

Lanyon serves as a foil to Jekyll, exposing the absurdities of Jekyll’s increasingly unrestrained scientific pursuits. His caution underscores the extreme nature of Jekyll’s experiments and foreshadows the tragic consequences of his actions.

The fricative in “fanciful” creates a harsh, dismissive tone, emphasising Lanyon’s rejection of Jekyll’s growing obsession with dangerous, speculative science. This foreshadows how Hyde, the product of Jekyll’s reckless experiments, will ultimately consume him.

Question 4

“My life is shaken to its roots”
Religion
Chapter 9
Science vs religion
Duality
Repression
Good vs evil
Appearance vs reality
Friendship and loyalty

Answer 4

Natural Metaphor and Existential Crisis
Stevenson uses the metaphor of Lanyon being “shaken to its roots” to symbolise how the revelation of Jekyll’s experiments violently destabilises his entire worldview. The noun “roots” connotes origin and stability; being uprooted suggests a total collapse of Lanyon’s belief system. This natural imagery highlights how unorthodox science violates the “natural order,” exposing the fragile foundations of Victorian ideals.

Suppression and Death as a Response to Truth
Lanyon’s refusal to accept Hyde’s true nature — even when faced with undeniable proof — leads him to declare, “I shall die incredulous.” Stevenson uses Lanyon’s death to critique the rigid thinking of Victorian society, showing that clinging to outdated beliefs can be deadlier than confronting the truth. Death becomes a symbolic escape from the collapse of a carefully built moral and religious framework.

Critique of Victorian Rigidity
Through Lanyon’s tragic end, Stevenson warns of the dangers of strict, dogmatic beliefs. His inability to accept new scientific realities mirrors Victorian society’s fear of change. Lanyon’s existential terror shows how suppressing uncomfortable truths can lead not just to personal ruin, but to the breakdown of society itself.