Setting and Symbolism

Question 1

Which type of weather appears repeatedly in the novella?
A. rain
B. sun
C. lightening
D. fog

Answer 1

D. Stevenson describes Victorian London as foggy, which makes it seem more mysterious.

Question 2

What does darkness symbolise in the novella?

Answer 2

Darkness is associated with mystery, e.g. when Utterson thinks about Hyde, his mind is described as “toiling in mere darkness” — the darkness symbolises the mystery surrounding Hyde’s identity, which is hidden from Utterson.

Question 3

What is the lightening like when Carew is murdered and what effect does it have?
Give examples in your answer.

Answer 3

Carew’s murder is “brilliantly lit by the full moon”, which makes it seem as if the scene is taking place under a spotlight. This lightning makes the scene more dramatic. Stevenson also writes that “the moon shone” on Carew’s face, which associates him with light. As light traditionally has positive connotations, this could symbolise Carew’s goodness and innocence, which makes Hyde’s violence even more chocking.

Question 4

When Utterson travels to Soho to find Hyde, he sees the light changing continually.
What do you think this symbolises? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 4

Utterson sees varying “degrees and hues of twilight” in Soho. The mixture of light and dark could symbolise how the reader (and Utterson) can only ever see parts of the truth about Jekyll and Hyde until the very end of the novella. It may also symbolise Jekyll’s duality and the changing balance of the light and dark in his character,

Question 5

Give an example of a location in Stevenson’s London that is a real place.

Answer 5

Jekyll transforms into Hyde in Regent’s Park, which is a real place.

Question 6

How does Stevenson make London’s streets seem more dangerous?
Give one way.

Answer 6

Both of Hyde’s attacks take place in the streets

Question 7

Explain how Jekyll’s laboratory has been changed from its original use.

Answer 7

Jekyll’s “laboratory” was originally used as a “dissecting room” and included a “theatre” for teaching students. This change is the purpose of the room could symbolise Jekyll’s rejection of what would have been considered more usually branches of scientific research.

Question 8

How does Stevenson make Jekyll’s laboratory a more sinister setting than the rest of his house?

Answer 8

The main part of the house has an “air of wealth” and Jekyll invites guests for parties there, which makes it seem friendly and welcoming. However, the laboratory is a “dingy windowless structure” which guests are rarely allowed into. Its rundown state and isolation disconnect it from normal life, which makes the laboratory seem strange and sinister.

Question 9

Do you think Stevenson’s portrayal of London is realistic?
Why / why not?

Answer 9

Although Stevenson includes elements of real-life London in the novella, the overall effect is more nightmarish than realistic. This is achieved by changing familiar details of London. For example, characters are often isolated in “deserted” parts of the city, which gives the city a nightmarish quality. Stevenson may have presented London in this way to make it seem hostile and frightening to the reader.

Question 10

Which of these objects do you think symbolises the idea that civilised people are capable of violent crimes?
A. Poole’s handkerchief
B. Jekyll’s cane
C. the maid’s window

Answer 10

B. Jekyll’s cane represents
respectable Victorian gentlemen.
When Hyde uses it to attack Carew,
it symbolises how the civilised side
of humanity can become uncivilised
and violent.

Question 11

In ‘The Last Night’, Utterson and Poole notice that Jekyll’s mirror is “turned” to face the “roof”.
What does this symbolise?

Answer 11

Jekyll brings the mirror into his laboratory so that he can witness his transformations into Hyde. The way that it is “turned” away could symbolise Jekyll’s unwillingness to see Hyde as a reflection of himself.

Question 12

How does Stevenson use Jekyll’s cheque book as a symbol in the novella?
Explain your answer.

Answer 12

In Enfield’s story about Hyde, Jekyll’s cheque book symbolises the way that Victorian gentlemen could rely on money to get them out of trouble — Hyde pays off the girl’s family with a cheque in Jekyll’s name. After Carew’s murder, Hyde burns the cheque book, which symbolises the fact that it no longer has the power to save his reputation.

Question 13

How does the interior of Hyde’s house reflect both his and Jekyll’s natures?
Give examples in your answer.

Answer 13

Hyde’s house in Soho reflects Jekyll’s nature in the way that it is decorated. The table linen is “elegant” and there is “a good painting” that Utterson presumes Jekyll picked. These decorations would have been suitable for a well-off Victorian gentleman, so they reflect Jekyll’s social status and the importance he places on appearances. Hyde’s influence is shown by the way he has “ransacked” the place in panic after killing Carew. Hyde’s destruction reflects his wild, animalistic nature.