Summary Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Theme Analysis Maps GCSE English Literature
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Course
English
Institution
GCSE
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This bundle contains in depth theme analysis on the main themes in the text which are: science, the supernatural, reputation and duality.
These theme analysis maps are detailed, with each detailing information about key moments, how the themes link to the context and g...
MR HYDE DR JEKYLL
The dominance that Mr Hyde eventually asserts over Dr Jekyll Dr Jekyll is a character that grossly underestimates the extent of his own duality. From the start,
raises the question over whether it is the duality of man that Dr Jekyll feels conflicted by his duty as a wealthy, upper class Victorian gentleman that must act
should be feared, or the power of dark urges and evil forces accordingly and conventionally, and his reprehensible desires. This internal conflict is reflected
themselves. After undergoing multiple transformations, Dr Jekyll externally in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde's starkly contrasting physiologies. Jekyll explains that “even
notes an incident where "it took [.. ] a double dose to recall me as good shone upon the countenance of the one, evil was
to myself." Perhaps Dr Jekyll took for granted the control he T H E M E A N A L Y S I S written broadly and plainly on the face of the other.”
would have over his duality, not realising that because he created There is no escape for Dr Jekyll, as both the evil and
an external personification of his morbid desires, his control over goodness that radiates from him are both equally a
such a creature would eventually wane. Therefore, whilst Mr Hyde
is the representation of the most unfavourable parts of Dr
Jekyll's conscience, Mr Hyde grows so powerful that he
DUALITY representation of who he is. The juxtaposition of his
appearance is a reflection of how deeply engrained his
duality is. His duality is apparent in his consciousness as well
perhaps transcends being the 'evil half' of Dr Jekyll and simply becomes his own merciless monster that as his appearance, which gives the readers a reason to
dominates Jekyll. However, if we are to understand Mr Hyde as the other half of Jekyll's consciousness, avoid allowing your dark desires to have any autonomy
then one must truly fear the duality of man. Mr Hyde is a "man who was without bowels of mercy", over you. Though Jekyll admits that "all human beings [.. ]
described as a "damned juggernaut". Whilst humans will never see the personification of their dark urges are commingled out of good and evil", Dr Jekyll being
in the flesh, Mr Hyde's very existence still acts as a poignant warning from Stevenson against allowing destroyed by Mr Hyde's dominance is a warning from
your dark urges to thrive within you and ultimately consume you. Stevenson that even if we are "commingled out of good
and evil", we must not allow the evil to dominate us.
THE SETTING
An often overlooked part of Stevenson's presentation of duality in the novella is how it is portrayed via the description of the setting. The novella is set in London, which in
the Victorian era was a divided city, with the division established by the unequal wealth distribution. Wealthy individuals in early 20th century London lived alongside those
living in poverty, often times only separated by a street. This is perhaps why Stevenson describes a street that "shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood". Stevenson
utilises the conflicting aspects of the setting to make duality the prevailing theme in the novella, not just in relation to the setting, but particularly in relation to the
characters. It is no surprise then to the reader that London has "sinister" buildings whilst also having an "air of invitation." The city where Mr Hyde and Dr Jekyll reside
fights a constant battle, as it is repressing it's grotesque and unimpressive streets, to give the impression that it is in fact a city flooded with an "air of invitation,." Of
course, this is a facade that cannot be upheld in every corner of London.
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