Jekyll and Hyde Revision

Jekyll and Hyde Characters Utterson Lanyon Enfield Jekyll Hyde Themes Secrecy/mystery Suspicion The beast in man/suppression Duality/the double Horror and terror hypocrisy Violence

Utterson Most of the novel is revealed through this character. Man of complete integrity. Dour and miserable Complex character full of contradictions Respected and successful but cold Shies away from company and conversation but is still well liked. Dislikes conversation but is a lawyer. Enjoyment of the theatre and fine wine shows a more joyful and sensual side to his nature but he suppresses it. Has a past which is not blameless – evidence of his own dual nature. Not a judgemental man – does not condemn others.

Lanyon The traditional scientist Scientific disagreements with Jekyll. Severs the friendship with Jekyll. Likes order and reason. Lanyon’s life is shaken by Jekyll’s revelation. The new knowledge kills him. Experiences true horror when he witnesses Jekyll change.

Enfield Friend and distant kinsman of Utterson. Takes weekly walks with Utterson. Described as the ‘well known man about town’. Dual nature – respectable gentleman only by day. Witnesses Hyde trample on the girl and Jekyll change at the window. Describes Hyde as repellent although he can’t pinpoint why.

Hyde Represents the ‘beast in man’. Described using animalistic images Speaks in short, clipped sentences Enigmatic description – strong feeling of deformity but not easy to describe. Ugly Evil, devil-like qualities – described as ‘hellish’ Violent and destructive Angry- full of hatred yet loves live. Contradictory and enigmatic.

Jekyll Seems to be a well mannered, respectable and moral gentleman. Recognises and enjoys the evil side of his nature. A maverick experimental scientist Ambitious Wants the ability to commit sin without conscience – selfish, hypocritical and self seeking. Secretive and mysterious

Horror and Terror Points about horror and terrorScenes featuring horror ad terror

Horror and Terror Points about horror and terrorScenes featuring horror and terror some use of typical gothic elements of horror/fear - terror Enfield’s description of Hyde trampling on the girl. Pathetic fallacy – environment – dark and mysterious Utterson’s nightmare of Hyde standing over the sleeping Jekyll. Emphasis on the strange and unnaturalMurder of Sir Danvers Carew References to evil and hellLanyon’s account of Hyde transforming into Jekyll in front of his eyes. Murder and violenceUtterson and Enfield witnessing the transformation. Nightmarish imageryMany descriptions of the fog smothered, dark London.

Violence Points about violenceScenes featuring violence

Violence Points about violenceScenes featuring violence The opposite behaviour of the polite, gentlemanly behaviour exhibited by Jekyll. Trampling the girl Suggestion that violence is the natural outcome when instinctual behaviour is suppressed. Murder of sir danvers Animalistic behaviour of the ‘beast in man’ Links to the theme of horror and terror Destructive Victims are often innocents – the child and respectable kind, well-loved gentleman

Secrecy and mystery Points about secrecy and mysteryScenes featuring secrecy and mystery

Secrecy and mystery Points about secrecy and mysteryScenes featuring secrecy and mystery The hidden and the suppressed – Jekyll’s secret The door Links to duality and hypocrisy – respectable gentlemen by day with hidden/dual lives. The will Mystery to be solved by the reader- strange wills, mysterious letters and odd behaviour. Links to the mystery genre. Jekyll changing at the window Lots of symbols and imagery – doors, locks, safes, sealed envelopes… Description of Utterson accessing Jekyll’s laboratory through the maze of corridors, courtyards etc… Secrets are kept to maintain respectability. Outer and inner appearances The mystery of Lanyon’s sudden decline and death. Silence – what isn’t said – for example, Utterson and Enfield do not speak of what they witness at the window. The mystery of the handwriting on the letter from Hyde

Hypocrisy Points about hypocrisyScenes featuring hypocrisy

Hypocrisy Points about hypocrisyScenes featuring hypocrisy Link to duality – appearance and reality.Enfield’s description of Hyde Gentlemen behaving badly.Utterson’s reflections and relief that his own past has never been investigated. (end of search for Mr Hyde) Pre-occupation with respectability over honesty Utterson’s dream – fear of blackmail, knowledge of Jekyll’s sinful past. Reaction to Hyde represents man’s inability to accept that human nature has a darker side. Denying this is hypocrisy.

Suspicion Points about suspicionScenes where suspicion is a feature

Suspicion Points about suspicionScenes where suspicion is a feature Utterson’s growing concerns.Concerns about the will Mysterious elements make Utterson suspicious. Confusion over the cheque Links to duality – appearance and realityHandwriting on Hyde’s letter Scene at Jekyll’s window.

The beast in man/suppression Points about the beast in manScenes featuring the beast in man

The beast in man/suppression Points about the beast in manScenes featuring the beast in man Every man suppresses their animalistic, instinctual side beneath a civilised exterior. Hyde trampling the child By releasing and freeing his animalistic side, Jekyll believes he too can be free as he doesn’t have to feel guilt or remorse. The murder of Sir Danvers Carew Victorian audience would have been terrified that everyone has an evil side. (Darwin) Lanyon’s account of Jekyll changing Suppression leads to more extreme (violent) behaviour. Utterson and Enfield witnessing the change at the window. People find Hyde (the suppressed beast) repulsive and grotesque. Any description of Hyde!

Duality/the double Points about duality and the doubleKey scenes with duality and the double

Duality/the double Points about duality and the doubleKey scenes with duality and the double Expressed mainly through Jekyll and Hyde. Concept that everyone has a split personality – good and evil. Respectable vs uncivilised. Any point where he changes – Lanyon’s account, the scene at the window… Failure of the experiment – J&H’s mutual hatred, one side growing and overpowering the other, doomed to a shared death. Jekyll’s account of how and why he separates his character in ‘Henry Jekyll’s full statement of the case’ Utterson’s contradictory character and relationship with Enfield (a man opposite to himself) First description of Utterson and Enfield in the story of the door Duality shown through other motifs – the door. The description of the door