Theme- Secrecy and Reputation Flashcards
(3 cards)
Character + analysis
DR HENRY JEKYLL
Jekyll hides his immoral desires behind a mask of respectability, using secrecy and science to preserve his public image.
“The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde.” -Chapter 5
-Illusion of control: Jekyll thinks he can keep his public and private selves separate.
-Grade 9 Insight: This reflects Victorian anxiety—people feared their secrets could one day expose and ruin them.
“The more I came to myself, the more intensely I loathed my position… but for its moral side, I was indifferent.” -Chapter 10
-Confession of secrecy: Jekyll admits he cared more about being caught than doing wrong.
-Grade 9 Insight: Jekyll doesn’t regret his sins—he regrets being exposed. Stevenson critiques how reputation outweighed morality in Victorian culture.
MR UTTERSON
Utterson represents the ideal Victorian gentleman—loyal, private, and extremely protective of others’ reputations.
“I let my brother go to the devil in his own way.” -Chapter 1
-Respect for secrecy: Utterson doesn’t intervene unless it’s absolutely necessary.
-Grade 9 Insight: Utterson’s moral restraint reflects a culture where even close friends avoided uncovering private sins.
“If he shall be Mr Hyde… I shall be Mr Seek.” -Chapter 2
-Curiosity vs privacy: Utterson wants the truth, but treads carefully.
-Grade 9 Insight: He represents the tension between moral duty and social etiquette—too much truth could destroy lives.
DR LANYON
Lanyon keeps Jekyll’s secret, even though it horrifies him—because breaking that secrecy would damage reputations.
“I cannot bring my mind to set it on paper.” -Chapter 9
-Horrific truth: What he knows is so shocking, it must remain hidden.
-Grade 9 Insight: Lanyon dies knowing a terrible truth he can’t share—secrecy becomes a literal burden that kills him.
MR HYDE
Hyde is the personification of secrets—a hidden, shameful identity that Jekyll uses to escape consequences.
“The door… was blistered and distained.” -Chapter 1
-Symbol of hidden sin: The back door to Jekyll’s lab is used only by Hyde—a gateway to his secret life.
-Grade 9 Insight: Stevenson uses setting to reflect how respectable façades conceal darker truths.
“A man who was without bowels of mercy.” -Chapter 2
-No conscience: Hyde’s very existence is a way for Jekyll to sin without damaging his own name.
-Grade 9 Insight: Hyde is created purely to protect Jekyll’s reputation—this separation of self is a direct critique of social hypocrisy.
Character’s Role in Theme + Grade 9 Analysis
Dr Jekyll- Lives a double life to protect his image
Reputation is more important to him than morality—secrecy becomes self-destructive.
Mr Hyde- Secret outlet for Jekyll’s sins
Created to hide shameful desires, showing how reputation leads to moral decay.
Mr Utterson- Respects others’ reputations above all
Represents the Victorian gentleman’s belief in privacy over confrontation.
Dr Lanyon- Dies keeping Jekyll’s secret
Shows how secrecy is so powerful, it can even cause death or mental collapse.
The Door- Symbol of hidden lives
Stevenson uses setting to show how appearance vs reality is sustained through secrecy.
Bigger themes
Reputation vs Truth: Characters go to great lengths to preserve their reputations—even if it means lying or dying.
Secrecy = Danger: Keeping secrets isolates people and causes psychological or physical collapse.
Critique of Victorian Society: Stevenson shows how social expectations create hypocrisy, forcing people to live double lives.
