1. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson

2. Show What You Know Have you heard the phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” before?
What does this phrase mean to you?
If you’re not sure, think about what I might be saying if I said, “you’re being quite the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ today!”

3. “Pick a Side” Activity
For each prompt posted, take a moment to decide whether you agree, disagree, or are unsure.
Then walk to the side of the room with that sign.
* Be prepared to explain your choice!

4. It is okay to violate a friend or sibling’s privacy if your intentions are good.

5. All people have both good and evil inside them.

6. There are mystical forces in our world that cannot be explained rationally.

7. Having a moral conscience is a burden
Having a moral conscience is a burden. We would be better off if we didn’t have to think about right & wrong.

8. Robert Louis Stevenson
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland – 1850
Only child from a wealthy family – his father was a famous engineer.
Sick as a child and spent a lot of time reading. He was fascinated by the true story of Deacon Brodie – a cabinet maker by day and thief at night.
Followed in his father’s footsteps by studying engineering and law in college, but he never became a lawyer or engineer.

9. Robert Louis Stevenson
As a student he visited the ghettos of Edinburgh in disguise.
The idea for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came from a dream. He wrote the first version in three days and burned it due to criticism from his wife. He wrote the second version in three days as well.
Also wrote Kidnapped and Treasure Island
Died in 1894 in Samoa – friends referred to him as Tusitalia – “a teller of tales”

10. J&H Cultural Context
Published in 1886, it was “tremendously successful.”
Written during the Victorian Era (while Queen Victoria was ruling England), when European nations were conquering “uncivilized” territories and experiencing major technological advances.
Jekyll & Hyde tapped into readers’ growing fascination with the animalistic, “savage” nature of the cultures they discovered on their conquests.

11. Chapter 1 Vocabulary countenance - facial expression
discourse - conversation
eminently - prominently, obviously
austere - strict, harsh
envy - jealousy
misdeeds - immoral/wicked behavior
reprove - scold
heresy - anti-religious views/actions
reputable - of good, noble reputation
demeanour - behavior
feat - task, challenge
undemonstrative - not showy/flashy

12. Chapter 1 Vocabulary, continued...
aptness - to be prone, likely
kinsman - relative
singularly - remarkably
excursions - outings
inhabitants - residents, people who live there
emulously - excitedly
surplus - extras, overflow
coquetry - flirtatiousness
thoroughfare - streets
florid - reddish, rosy
dingy - dreary, dull
gaiety - jolliness

13. Chapter 1 Vocabulary, continued...
sinister - dark, wicked
gable - decoration on a building
prolonged and sordid negligence - ongoing and filthy abandonment
mouldings - decorations, embellishments
ravages - ruin
abreast - up to
affirmative - postitive, answering “yes”
procession - celebration, parade
Juggernaut - a large, destructive force/person
halloa - a sort of holler
loathing - hatred
harpies - greedy, predatory people

14. Chapter 1 Vocabulary, continued...
apocryphal - doubtful, suspicious
forgery - a fake, a copy
capers - pranks, tricks
“a vein of musing” - a moment of reflection
delicacy - carefulness
partakes - resembles, reminds
scarcely - hardly
detestable - hateable
sullenness - gloominess
pedantically - precisely
resumed - started up again