dr jekyll and mr hyde essay questions

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Book Summary
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Character Analysis
• Dr. Henry (Harry) Jekyll
• Edward Hyde
• Gabriel John Utterson
• Dr. Hastie Lanyon
• Robert Louis Stevenson Biography
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of the relationship between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield?

2. How is Jekyll's house and laboratory physically situated so as to suggest a symbolic significance to the arrangement?

3. After reading the first Chapter, how do you account for the reader's intense interest in such an evil man as Edward Hyde?

4. Describe the basic physical appearance of Henry Jekyll, and then describe the physical appearance of Edward Hyde.

5. What qualities does Mr. Utterson possess that make him such an excellent narrator, or the "central intelligence," or "consciousness" through which most of the novel is presented?

6. Discuss the significance of the names of Utterson, Jekyll and Hyde.

7. Discuss Jekyll's and Lanyon's relationship with one another.

8. Justify Utterson's reluctance to read Lanyon's statement until after "the death or disappearance" of Jekyll.

9. What, in your opinion, did Utterson and Enfield see in Jekyll's face that so astounded or horrified them?

10. Could Dr. Jekyll's entire confession be written by Hyde? Explain.

11. At the beginning of the novel, Dr. Jekyll is in total control of Mr. Hyde, yet at the end of the novel, Mr. Hyde is in control of Dr. Jekyll. Show how this reversal came about.

12. Utterson as a narrator is objective and honest, and yet he often comes to the wrong conclusion about matters such as forgery, Hyde's existence, Jekyll's motives, and other matters. Discuss the character of Utterson and how he is so often misled in his opinions.

13. Contrast Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon in their basic responses to scientific medicine, to metaphysics, to the basic nature of evil itself, and to man's duality.

14. Discuss this novel as a "mystery story" and demonstrate how there are many clues that lead the reader to solve the "mystery" before the solution is revealed to us in the final Chapters.

15. Using this novel as your basis, discuss the nature of "good" and "evil," or "the double" and the duality of man's nature, as presented in this novel.

16. What qualities does Utterson possess that allow so many prominent men (Jekyll, Lanyon, Sir Danvers, etc.) to trust him so completely?

17. Why is the novel more effective by having all the main characters — Utterson, Jekyll, Lanyon (and maybe Enfield and Sir Danvers) — be prominent, well known, respected men?

18. There are many narrators — among them, Enfield, Utterson, Poole, Lanyon, and Jekyll — in this novel. Discuss what each narrator contributes to the novel.

Previous Quiz

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THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE

An Essay Writing Guide for GCSE (9-1)

So you now know the novel – but how do you structure your essay?

This clean & simple new guide from Accolade Press will walk you through how to plan and structure essay responses to questions on Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde . By working through seven mock questions, these detailed essay plans will show you how to go about building a theme based answer – while the accompanying notes will illustrate not only how to masterfully structure your response , but also how to ensure all AQA's Assessment Objectives are being satisfied.

R.P. Davis has a First Class degree in English Literature from UCL, and a Masters in Literature from Cambridge University. Aside from teaching GCSE English (which he's done for nearly a decade now), he has also written a string of bestselling thriller novels.

Shopping options: you can purchase a paperback copy via any good online book store, such as one of the following:

Alternatively, you can purchase and download an electronically delivered PDF directly from us here .

SAMPLE FROM THE GUIDE

In your GCSE English Literature exam, you will be presented with an extract from Robert Louis Stevenson’s  The   Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  and a question that asks you to offer both a close analysis of the extract plus a commentary of the novel as a whole. Of course, there are many methods one  might  use to tackle this style of question. However, there is one particular technique which, due to its sophistication, most readily allows students to unlock the highest marks: namely,  the thematic method . 

To be clear, this study guide is  not  intended to walk you through the novel scene-by-scene: there are many great guides out there that do just that. No, this guide, by sifting through a series of mock exam questions, will demonstrate  how  to organise a response thematically and thus write a stellar essay: a skill we believe no other study guide adequately covers!

I have encountered students who have structured their essays all sorts of ways: some by writing about the extract line by line, others by identifying various language techniques and giving each its own paragraph. The method I’m advocating, on the other hand, involves picking out three to four themes that will allow you to holistically answer the question: these three to four themes will become the three to four content paragraphs of your essay, cushioned between a brief introduction and conclusion. Ideally, these themes will follow from one to the next to create a flowing argument. Within each of these thematic paragraphs, you can then ensure you are jumping through the mark scheme’s hoops. 

Victoria Road in Edinburgh - just around the corner from Stevenson’s childhood home.

So to break things down further, each thematic paragraph will include various point-scoring components. In each paragraph, you will quote from the extract, offer analyses of these quotes, then discuss how the specific language techniques you have identified illustrate the theme you’re discussing. In each paragraph, you will also discuss how other parts of the novel further illustrate the theme (or even complicate it). And in each, you will comment on the era in which the novel was written and how that helps to understand the chosen theme.

Don’t worry if this all feels daunting. Throughout this guide, I will be illustrating in great detail – by means of examples – how to build an essay of this kind.

The beauty of the thematic approach is that, once you have your themes, you suddenly have a direction and a trajectory, and this makes essay writing a whole lot easier. However, it must also be noted that extracting themes in the first place is something students often find tricky. I have come across many candidates who understand the extract and the novel inside out; but when they are presented with a question under exam conditions, and the pressure kicks in, they find it tough to break their response down into themes. The fact of the matter is: the process is a  creative  one and the best themes require a bit of imagination. 

In this guide, I shall take seven different exam-style questions, coupled with extracts from the novel, and put together a plan for each – a plan that illustrates in detail how we will be satisfying the mark scheme’s criteria. Please do keep in mind that, when operating under timed conditions, your plans will necessarily be less detailed than those that appear in this volume. 

The view from Calton Hill - again, a spot in Stevenson’s native Edinburgh. Stevenson once remarked that ‘of all places for a view, this Calton Hill is perhaps the best.’

Now, you might be asking whether three or four themes is best. The truth is, you should do whatever you feel most comfortable with: the examiner is looking for an original, creative answer, and not sitting there counting the themes. So if you think you are quick enough to cover four, then great. However, if you would rather do three to make sure you do each theme justice, that’s also fine. I sometimes suggest that my student pick four themes, but make the fourth one smaller – sort of like an afterthought, or an observation that turns things on their head. That way, if they feel they won’t have time to explore this fourth theme in its own right, they can always give it a quick mention in the conclusion instead. 

Before I move forward in earnest, I believe it to be worthwhile to run through the four Assessment Objectives the exam board want you to cover in your response – if only to demonstrate how effective the thematic response can be. I would argue that the first Assessment Objective (AO1) – the one that wants candidates to ‘read, understand and respond to texts’ and which is worth 12 of the total 34 marks up for grabs – will be wholly satisfied by selecting strong themes, then fleshing them out with quotes. Indeed, when it comes to identifying the top-scoring candidates for AO1, the mark scheme explicitly tells examiners to look for a ‘critical, exploratory, conceptualised response’ that makes ‘judicious use of precise references’ – the word ‘concept’ is a synonym of theme, and ‘judicious references’ simply refers to quotes that appropriately support the theme you’ve chosen.

The second Assessment Objective (AO2) – which is also responsible for 12 marks – asks students to ‘analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.’ As noted, you will already be quoting from the novel as you back up your themes, and it is a natural progression to then analyse the language techniques used. In fact, this is far more effective than simply observing language techniques (personification here, alliteration there), because by discussing how the language techniques relate to and shape the theme, you will also be demonstrating how the writer ‘create[s] meanings and effects.’ 

Now, in my experience, language analysis is the most important element of AO2 – perhaps 8 of the 12 marks will go towards language analysis. You will also notice, however, that AO2 asks students to comment on ‘form and structure.’ Again, the thematic approach has your back – because though simply jamming in a point on form or structure will feel jarring, when you bring these points up while discussing a theme, as a means to further a thematic argument, you will again organically be discussing the way it ‘create[s] meanings and effects.’ 

AO3 requires you to ‘show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written’ and is responsible for a more modest 6 marks in total. These are easy enough to weave into a thematic argument; indeed, the theme gives the student a chance to bring up context in a relevant and fitting way. After all, you don’t want it to look like you’ve just shoehorned a contextual factoid into the mix.

A sign outside Deacon Brodie’s Tavern in Edinburgh. Deacon Brodie is frequently acknowledged as an inspiration for Stevenson’s novel. Brodie was a respected city councillor in Eighteenth Century Edinburgh; however, it eventually transpired that he was leading a secret life of crime, and he was hung in 1788.

Finally, you have AO4 – known also as “spelling and grammar.” Technically speaking, there are no AO4 marks up for grabs in this particular section of the paper. That said, I would still suggest that you take care on this front. The examiners are human beings, and if you are demonstrating a strong grasp of spelling and grammar, most examiners (whether rightly or wrongly!) will still be more inclined to mark your paper more generously.

My hope is that this book, by demonstrating how to tease out themes from an extract, will help you feel more confident in doing so yourself. I believe it is also worth mentioning that the themes I have picked out are by no means definitive. Asked the very same question, someone else may pick out different themes, and write an answer that is just as good (if not better!). Obviously the exam is not likely to be fun – my memory of them is pretty much the exact opposite. But still, this is one of the very few chances that you will get at GCSE level to actually be creative. And to my mind at least, that was always more enjoyable – if  enjoyable  is the right word – than simply demonstrating that I had memorised loads of facts.

Essay Plan One

Read the following extract from Chapter 1 (Story of the Door) of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and then answer the question that follows.

This extract is the first paragraph of the novel and introduces the reader to mr utterson..

Mr Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable. At friendly meetings, and when the wine was to his taste, something eminently human beaconed from his eye; something indeed which never found its way into his talk, but which spoke not only in these silent symbols of the after-dinner face, but more often and loudly in the acts of his life. He was austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages; and though he enjoyed the theatre, had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. But he had an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds; and in any extremity inclined to help rather than to reprove. “I incline to Cain’s heresy,” he used to say quaintly: “I let my brother go to the devil in his own way.” In this character, it was frequently his fortune to be the last reputable acquaintance and the last good influence in the lives of down-going men. And to such as these, so long as they came about his chambers, he never marked a shade of change in his demeanour.

No doubt the feat was easy to Mr Utterson; for he was undemonstrative at the best, and even his friendship seemed to be founded in a similar catholicity of good-nature. It is the mark of a modest man to accept his friendly circle ready-made from the hands of opportunity; and that was the lawyer’s way. His friends were those of his own blood or those whom he had known the longest; his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object.

Starting with this extract, explore the extent to which Stevenson presents Utterson as an outsider.

Write about:

• how Stevenson presents Utterson as an outsider in this extract.

• how Stevenson presents Utterson as an outsider in the rest of the novel.

Introduction

The formula I tend to suggest for writing introductions is as follows: first, offer some (very brief!) historical context, so you are scoring AO3 marks off the bat; next, hint at the themes your essay will be exploring, since this will warm the examiner up to start awarding you AO1 marks (the marks reserved for conceptual understanding).

“Since polite Victorian society was governed by an overwhelming pressure to conform to societal mores, the fear of the outsider – be it the Irish Fenian, or the outlawed homosexual – was all the more pronounced.1 Stevenson’s portrait of a hyper-reserved Utterson demonstrates how the pressure on men to conform to a stoic paradigm paradoxically functioned to detach them from mankind. That said, Utterson’s tendency to tangle with more blatant outsiders (not least, Jekyll-cum-Hyde) suggests that he can alternatively be construed as explicitly residing on the peripheries of polite society.”2

Theme/Paragraph One: In this extract, Utterson is portrayed as lacking (or perhaps reticent to deploy) the ordinary tools of expression that would allow him to communicate with his fellow man, thereby leaving him outside of human discourse.

As the reader is given a précis of Utterson’s personality, what is perhaps most striking is his lack of expressiveness.3 That the reader is informed in the opening sentence that Utterson’s ‘countenance...was never lighted by a smile’ signals not only Utterson’s reticence to engage in non-verbal communication, but also, through the structural choice of opening with this observation, that this reticence is key to understanding his personality: it functions as a kind of epigraph for Utterson the man.4 [ AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote; AO2 for the close analysis of the language and discussing how structure shapes meaning ].

Moreover, although the reader is informed that, when drinking, ‘something eminently human beaconed from [Utterson's] eye,’ what is more interesting is the notion this something ‘never found its way into his talk.’ Implicit here is the notion that Utterson’s words lacked humanity, or could even be construed as in human. This redoubles the sense that Utterson’s hobbled expressive capabilities place him outside regular human discourse. Tellingly, while he enjoys the theatre – an art-form that embodies expressiveness – he had not visited one in ‘twenty years, ’ and he is explicitly described as ‘undemonstrative.’ [AO2 for the close analysis of the language].

Elsewhere in the novel : The notion that Utterson’s muted expressiveness utterly detaches him from mankind is not borne out in the novel: after all, while often solitary, he still socialises with other men (Enfield on walks; Jekyll and Lanyon at dinner) and displays a range of emotions. Indeed, even this extract hints that he is still to be considered somewhat social: it refers to his ‘ready-made’ friendship ‘circle.’ In any case, Stevenson seems to be suggesting that if Utterson is to be considered an outsider for his repressed ways, then so too should Victorian middle class men en masse – all of whom, due to societal pressure to manifest stoicism and decorum, wind up excluded from much of the human experience. [AO3 for invoking historical context that helps to decode the text].

Theme/Paragraph Two: While Utterson might be considered an outsider insofar as he embodies Victorian male repression, he might also be considered an outsider for his tendency to seek the company of more blatant outsiders, which in fact puts him at odds with polite society.

There is an interesting paradox at play in the narrator’s observation that Utterson frequently found himself ‘the last reputable acquaintance... in the lives of down-going men.’ After all, the fact that Utterson chooses to associate with ‘down-going men’ implicitly threatens to compromise his stated reputability. The phrase ‘down-going men’ conjures an image of physical descent: a motif that appears persistently in Gothic fiction to connote transgression, and thus functions to emphasise the aberrant behaviour of Utterson’s associates.5 [AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote; AO2 for the close analysis of the language].

Elsewhere in the novel : The idea that Utterson’s association with outliers might alter his identity is broached when Utterson resolves to investigate Mr Hyde, and tellingly decides that: “If he be Mr Hyde... I shall be Mr Seek.” The turn of phrase renders Utterson as a dopplegänger to Hyde – the novel’s prime outsider – thereby ensuring that Utterson’s identity is defined in relation to Hyde.6 The use of the dopplegänger to link the supposedly respectable to the outlier is seen in other Gothic texts: in Mary Shelley’s early Nineteenth Century novel, Frankenstein , the eponymous doctor’s dopplegänger is the monster himself.7 [AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote; AO3 for invoking historical-literary context].

Theme/Paragraph Three: Utterson is characterised as someone who exists beyond the urge to judge and the urge to meddle; though this characterisation is subverted as the novel unfolds.

Throughout the extract, Utterson is portrayed as existing beyond the desire to judge, or meddle in the business of, others: he is described as having an ‘approved tolerance for others,’ and as following a laissez-faire dictum: ‘I let my brother go to the devil in his own way.’8 As a result, Utterson positions himself as an individual who takes care to remain outside the affairs of others – be it judging those affairs, or seeking to impact upon them. [AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote].

Elsewhere in the novel : However, while Utterson may be positioned as an outsider to other people’s affairs in this extract, this is thoroughly subverted as the book unfolds. Indeed, the chapter seven sequence in which Utterson and Poole forcefully break into Jekyll’s chamber – as Jekyll-cum-Hyde begs him to relent (‘Utterson... for God’s sake, have mercy!’) – symbolically encapsulates Utterson’s refusal to remain on the peripheries of other people’s affairs. [AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote].

Theme/Paragraph Four: Although Utterson is a central presence in the novel – the reader discovers things at the same pace as Utterson – the fact that all passages relating to him are rendered in the third person positions him as an outsider to the reader.

Although this extract marks Utterson out as a protagonist, the fact it is written in the third person positions him as an outsider to the reader: the reader is not given direct access to his thoughts. The narrative draws attention to this by domiciling a few first-person phrases within this paragraph – “I incline to Cain’s heresy” – thus implicitly inviting the reader to consider an alternative narrative mode, one Stevenson eschews, that would not have placed Utterson beyond the reader. The density of the text in this extract – there is just a single paragraph break – allows the mise-en-page to mirror Utterson’s impenetrability.9 [AO1 for advancing the argument with a judiciously selected quote; AO2 for the close analysis of the language and discussing how form shapes meaning].

Elsewhere in the novel : Furthermore, while the reader experiences things at the same time as Utterson, Utterson is rarely at the centre of the action. Generally, the action has already taken place, and Utterson, detective-like, is piecing it together afterwards. For the duration of the novel’s final two chapters (‘Lanyon’s Narrative;’ ‘Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case’) Utterson is reading along with the reader, and is locked out of the action.

It should not go unnoticed that Jekyll-cum-Hyde, the book’s more obvious outsider, is given a first person narrative at the end of the novel, and that Utterson is never granted such intimate treatment. In terms of narrative, Utterson is arguably a greater outsider than Jekyll-cum-Hyde. [AO2 for discussing how form shapes meaning].

This has wound up being a meaty, four-themed essay, so I am pretty confident we are adequately satisfying the exam board’s AO1 criteria. As a result, I am going to lace my conclusive remarks with literary and historical context, in order to mop up any remaining AO3 marks that may be going spare.

“In Gothic fiction, the monstrous outsider is frequently used as a vehicle to expose the flaws and contradictions of mainstream society; that is, the outsider paradoxically captures the essence of the mainstream. The way Utterson straddles the mainstream and outsider worlds – one ‘reputable’ and Jekyllian, one ‘down-going’ and Hydian – hints at the secret symmetry between them. Indeed, the latter is not truly on the outside, but is in fact lurking in the heart of the former. This was true of Victorian London, where, beneath a respectable veneer, prostitution and violence ran rampant.”

1  The Irish Fenians were fighting for independence from British rule and were outsiders insofar as they were outlaws who engaged in terrorist activities.

Homosexual acts between men were illegal right up until 1967, the year which saw the passing of the Sexual Offences Act – the legislation that decriminalised homosexuality in the UK.

2  ‘Cum’ in ‘Jekyll-cum-Hyde’ is a Latin phrase. It is usually used to describe two characteristics about a certain individual – for example, Barack Obama is a lawyer-cum-politician.

Of course, the situation with regards to Jekyll and Hyde is somewhat more complex. However, as G. K. Chesterton observed in his fantastic essay on the novel, ‘the real stab of the story is not the discovery that the one man is two men; but in the discovery that the two men are one man.’ He then observes that when one dies, both die – that is, ultimately there is always just ‘one man born and only one man buried.’ As a result, when I write Jekyll-cum-Hyde, it is an acknowledgement that these two men are ultimately one man, and it is thus a useful technique to allow me to discuss this hybrid individual.

If you’re curious, you can read more of Chesterton’s essay at the following URL:

http://platitudesundone.blogspot.com/2010/09/jekyll-and-hyde.html

3  “Précis” is a French word that has entered the English language. It means a summary.

4  An epigraph is a short quote at the beginning of a work of literature that hints at the themes and concepts that will be discussed.

5  To transgress means to go beyond the limits, and is often used to describe behaviour that goes either beyond the law or beyond moral conduct. However, we can also talk about physical transgressions – that is, when someone gains entry to a forbidden space.

6  The word doppelgänger is in fact German and it is kind of like a spooky double. However, the doppelgänger doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical double. It could instead reflect some other characteristic in the person in question.

7  The word eponymous is used to describe a situation in which the title of a text is named after the main character.

8  Laissez-faire is a French expression which has entered English usage. It means “to leave alone.”

9  The mise-en-page – yet another French expression! – refers to the way the text appears on the page.

Customer Reviews

This book is unlike any revision guide I’ve seen out there. As it states in the foreword, it isn’t designed to accompany the text while reading or to quiz students on plot. It takes students through the thought process of essay writing without patronising them. The tone reads as though it is aimed at the higher ability student, but it does talk to them informally too. I also like that it teaches a loose structure in crafting an essay but does not utilise an acronym so allows scope for originality. This is a useful guide for students who, after studying the novella, need to move onto the next step of compiling their thoughts logically. As a teacher who hasn’t taught this text before, it was a really helpful overview of themes and will be fantastic exemplar material for my students. I’ve bought a few revision guides to supplement my own understanding of texts in the past, and these have been left on the shelf due to their simplicity (which is great for students) but this is different in that it teaches the method of essay writing as well as a thematic approach to an exam response. It is more accessible for higher ability students but there are few texts available for this cohort and I think this guide has a place for them.

This was so incredibly helpful for both my year 10 and 11 children. It explained the syllabus clearly and really helped their grades go up. I don't normally write review but cannot thank you enough! It really helped them understand, revise and understand what was required. Thank you!

Another excellent resource . The essay plans provide great detail and variation. When used correctly can help to achieve high level grades. I would highly recommend this to other teachers.

Of all the books we have bought to assist our children in their English work, none have focused on the actual essay writing quite like this guide. Definitely a 'gap in the market' & very useful. Look forward to my year 10 child making full use of it in the coming months.

I obtained a copy of this guide for my son who will shortly be studying Jekyll & Hyde at GCSE. The guide takes you through a 'Thematic Method' for the English literature exam with extracts and analysis of quotes, and offers some commentary on the era, and comparable gothic fiction, around when the book was written for historical context. It is not a typical, explanatory guide of the book itself that is often found to support students.

The examples of essay planning around 3 or 4 themes in order to successfully pick up marks are very useful and pull focus to the sections that show depictions of evil, violence, fear, etc. found in Jekyll & Hyde and relevant extracts that support these themes.

I would recommend this guide for those studying the book that would benefit from support in essay writing.

I think this guide is great! A lot is taught in English, however essay writing should definitely be focused on more. It is an advanced skill in itself. As a Year 10, having a guide that actually teaches you how to craft assessment pieces correctly is invaluable and a great relief - it is one thing coming up with ideas, and another being able to write it all down. I also really like the fact that the guide shows you actual essay plans, rather than just giving you ‘instructions’. The simplified notes page at the end covering all the chapters is nice to have too! Overall, I would definitely recommend this guide to others and can see it being really helpful for my GCSE’s.

The initial outline of the guide is very helpful as it explains how it gives examples of how to answer exam questions. It is not a way to avoid reading the actual book as it is an essay guide rather than a study guide!... This is a very technical guide and is brilliant for those working towards a high grade. The note section at the back is particularly useful as it explains complex words and phrases used within the guide.

This study guide is extremely good. I really enjoyed the perspective of explaining how the essay style questions should be tackled. The layout of the guide is extensive and covers each theme very nicely. This is a very good study guide and beneficial for students and teachers.

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

By robert louis stevenson, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde study guide.

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Bournemouth in 1885, while convalescing from an illness. The original idea occurred to him in a nightmare from which his wife awakened him. In fact, Stevenson was disappointed that she had interrupted a "fine bogey-tale," but eventually developed the idea into a full-length narrative. Originally, Stevenson's idea was to compose a straightforward horror story, with no allegorical undertones. However, after reading the original version to his wife, she suggested more could be made of the tale. After initially resisting, Stevenson burned the original manuscript and rewrote the entire novel in only three days.

Immediately upon its publication in January of 1887, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was recognized as a grand work. An anonymous review in "The Times" praised the book highly, observing that, "Nothing Mr. Stevenson has written as yet has so strongly impressed us with the versatility of his very original genius." The review concluded with the plea that the story, "be read as a finished study in the art of fantastic literature." Critics claim that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was the first work in which Stevenson sustained a full-length narrative that was not only exciting, but also well-composed story with a powerful and timely parable.

Stevenson lived and wrote during the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria ruled England. The Victorian era brought a great deal of technological progress and the advancement of European power throughout the world. However, during the height of Stevenson's writing at the end of the nineteenth century, artists, writers and intellectuals were beginning to move away from the celebration of "progress" that had so defined the times, and were questioning the relevance and permanence of the global domination of Western culture. As a part of this increasingly pessimistic group of writers, Stevenson based this book on his own experiences. He focuses on a milieu he knew well: the upper middle class highly social world of powerful men in which issues such as appearance and dress are extremely important. In examining this superficial existence, Stevenson targets the hypocrisy of social strata and the danger of allowing the innate evilness of human nature to run free in his narrative of a respectable doctor who transforms himself into a savage murderer.

The conclusion of the book reveals the now universally known revelation that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde inhabit the same body. Dr. Jekyll is the picture of social class and professional excellence, while Mr. Hyde is the embodiment of Jekyll's otherwise hidden evil nature. By distinctly separating these two ironically inextricably combined polar opposites, Stevenson examines man's relationship with good and evil, and comments on the constant war and balance between the two. In the broadly cultural context of the Victorian era, Hyde might be comparable to Western culture's fascination with perceived "savage" countries and cultures, specifically in Africa and the West Indies, while Jekyll is the embodiment of English manners, pride, and high culture. In examining, visiting and conquering remote countries, England and Europe believed they were civilizing savage peoples, most often working to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. Although fascinated by these strange new cultures, Europeans dismissed their ways of life as base. Thus, Dr. Jekyll represents the European approach to colonization in his examination of base, savage ideals. However, he proves unable to control his evil self or hide (Hyde) his fascination with it and thus dies in the process of trying to regain his original refined identity.

Many critics have mentioned the undercurrent of homosexuality in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . The men in the novel have very close personal relationships, women play no role in the story or in the men's lives, and at times, it seems that outsiders believe Dr. Jekyll and the mysterious Mr. Hyde's relationship is sexually deviant in nature. However, this notion is never directly expressed. Interestingly, in every stage or film version of the story from 1920 to the present, both Jekyll and Hyde's involvement with women has been an essential part of his/their image. Stevenson's 1886 narrative contains no focus on women or romantic relationships, and is instead an "intellectual" horror story that examines the fundamental nature of man.

Although Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is widely recognized as a monumental piece of fiction, Stevenson's concept of duality within human identity was not completely originally. In fact, he had encountered precursors to his tale long before he wrote the novel. Most frequently as influential to the development of Stevenson's work are E.T.A. Hoffman's The Devil's Elixirs (1816), Thomas Jefferson Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1824), Edgar Allan Poe's William Wilson (1839), and most significantly, Theophile Gautier's Le Chevalier Double (1840). Gautier's story centers on the protagonist, Oluf, who has a double nature and leads a tormented life, much like Jekyll and Hyde.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is the story of Cain and Abel? What does it mean that Mr. Utterson says he inclines to Cain’s heresy in his dealings with others? Explain why you agree or disagree with this way of dealing with your acquaintances.

In the story of Cain and Abel, Cain murders his brother. In the above line, Utterson is citing his belief that one should stay out of other people's business.

3. Look back at chapter 3 (pg 26) – how has Jekyll changed since then?

Jekyll has become unsure of himself, sickly, faint, and desperate. He is not the self-assured, smooth faced man we met at the dinner party in the third chapter.

Sequence the events that happened in Chapter 8 “The Last Night” 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

You can check this out in chapter 8 summary below:

https://www.gradesaver.com/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/study-guide/summary-chapters-7-8

Study Guide for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde study guide contains a biography of Robert Louis Stevenson, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Summary
• Character List

Essays for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Frankenstein
• The Collective Mr. Hyde
• The Limitations of Language in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The Supernatural and Its Discontents in Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
• The Good Mr. Hyde

Lesson Plan for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Bibliography

E-Text of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde E-Text contains the full text of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

• Chapters 1-3
• Chapters 4-6
• Chapters 7-10

Wikipedia Entries for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

• Introduction
• Inspiration and writing
• Analysis of themes

Lesson Plan for 'Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde': Writing Prompts & Essay Questions

• Donna Cosmato
• Categories : High school english lesson plans grades 9 12
• Tags : High school lesson plans & tips

Lesson Overview

Students discuss and develop essay topic ideas for Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Grade: High School, duration: 30 – 60 minutes

Objective: Students review basic writing process for essays and brainstorm ideas for essay topics. The emphasis for this lesson is writing compelling thesis statements, holding reader attention, and organizing and writing top-notch essays.

Prior Knowledge: This lesson builds on information gained during unit lesson plans on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde regarding vocabulary, character analysis, and group discussions of the short story.

Teaching Method

Procedure: Excellent essays contain key elements. Start the lesson by reviewing briefly the main elements of essay writing. Here are some suggested topics to cover:

• Selecting topics: topic ideas are specific rather than general with a main idea and two supporting ideas.
• Compelling headline: the thesis statement is like a movie trailer. It hooks the reader into the subject matter.
• Introduction: tells the reader what the essay is about, makes or breaks the essay depending on how interesting or how boring it is. Comparing it to sound bites of information on radio or television helps students visualize the importance of a provocative introduction.
• Outlining research materials: all the research in the world is useless if students cannot organize it and produce a finished essay. This part of the lesson plans shows students how to take notes, and organize materials to prepare for writing an outline format.
• Writing outlines and rough drafts: for this part of the lesson plan, review outlining and rough draft process. Remind students every essay must have a summary to tie information together for the reader.
• Creating the finished essay and proofreading: discuss the writing process and emphasis the importance of proofing essays prior to submitting them. A good tip is to suggest students read the essays out loud to catch grammatical errors.

Writing Prompts and Essay Questions

Try these writing prompts and essay questions in your classroom to help students get started on their essays. Copy the information on the board and brainstorm ideas for other creative essay topics for papers on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• Describe the relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
• How is the relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde important in conveying the theme of duality?
• How does Stevenson portray the hypocrisy of Victorian society in the novella?
• Dr. Jekyll’s final fate is determined by what events?
• How does Stevenson use descriptive language and suspense to create a mood of terror?
• Why did Stevenson tell the story in third person rather than the first person? How effective is that?
• Analyze the progress of Dr. Jekyll experiments and transformations. How does his character change during the experiments?
• How does Jekyll view his relationship with Hyde? Is his analysis accurate or flawed? Why or why not?
• Analyze the role of the supporting characters. What is their importance and how do they impact the progress of the novel?

By the end of the lesson students should understand the writing process for completing interesting essays. They have selected their topics and started developing thought-provoking thesis statements. Results of the lesson are assessed based on the quality of the students’ essays.

Stevenson, R. L. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert louis stevenson, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Introduction

Dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: plot summary, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: detailed summary & analysis, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: themes, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: quotes, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: characters, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: symbols, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: literary devices, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: quizzes, dr. jekyll and mr. hyde: theme wheel, brief biography of robert louis stevenson.

Historical Context of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Other books related to dr. jekyll and mr. hyde.

• Full Title: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• When Written: 1885
• Where Written: Bournemouth, England
• When Published: 5th January 1886
• Literary Period: Victorian
• Genre: Horror, Drama, Victorian Gothic
• Setting: The streets of London
• Climax: Utterson reads the narrative written by Lanyon before his death, which describes the horrific bodily transformation of Mr. Hyde into Dr. Jekyll, explaining everything that has happened so far in an absolutely incredible way.
• Antagonist: Mr. Hyde forms the antagonist of the tale until we realize that he is in fact the double of Dr. Jekyll.
• Point of View: A third person narrator tells the story with an omniscient view of characters but stays mostly with Mr. Utterson, which allows Stevenson to reveal things to the reader with suspense.

Extra Credit for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Strange Beginnings. Robert Louis Stevenson reportedly wrote the draft of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in an astonishing three days in a drug-induced fever.

Expensive Taste. Robert Louis Stevenson was known as “Velvet Jaket” as a young man because of his dandy-fied taste in clothes.

Sample exam question - AQA Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Sample exam question

An example of the type of question you might be asked in the exam and how best to approach it.

Part of English Literature Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Sample exam question

The question.

Starting with this extract, how does Stevenson present Mr Hyde to be an evil, unforgiving criminal?

Write about:

• how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde in this extract
• how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as an evil, unforgiving criminal in the novel as a whole

The extract

Read the extract from Chapter 4 titled The Carew Murder Case .

Presently her eye wandered to the other, and she was surprised to recognise in him a certain Mr Hyde, who had once visited her master, and for whom she had conceived a dislike. He had in his hand a heavy cane, with which he was trifling; but he answered never a word, and seemed to listen with an ill-contained impatience. And then all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on (as the maid described it) like a madman. The very old gentleman took a step back, with the air of one very much surprised and a trifle hurt; and at that Mr Hyde broke out of all bounds, and clubbed him to the earth. And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot, and hailing down a storm of blows, under which the bones were audibly shattered and the body jumped upon the roadway. At the horror of these sights and sounds, the maid fainted.

Before you go on to the next page, make some notes about what you might write.

• Think about the key words in the question ('evil', 'unforgiving', 'criminal').
• Think about this extract – how is Hyde evil in this section? Highlight some key points.
• Think about the entire novel.

More guides on this topic

• Plot summary - AQA
• Characters - AQA
• Themes - AQA
• Form, structure and language - AQA

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Essays on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

What makes a good the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde essay topics.

When it comes to writing an essay on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , choosing the right topic is crucial. A good essay topic should be thought-provoking, unique, and analytical. It should also allow for in-depth exploration of the themes, characters, and symbolism in the novel. To brainstorm and choose an essay topic, start by considering the themes and motifs present in the book. Think about the duality of human nature, the concept of good and evil, and the consequences of scientific experimentation. Consider the characters and their motivations, as well as the setting and its significance. A good essay topic should also allow for critical analysis and interpretation, so look for topics that are open to interpretation and analysis.

When choosing a topic, consider What Makes a Good essay topic. A good topic should be specific and focused, allowing for a deep exploration of the subject matter. It should also be relevant and timely, addressing current issues and concerns. Additionally, a good essay topic should be original and unique, offering a fresh perspective on the novel. Finally, a good topic should be interesting and engaging, both for the writer and the reader. By considering these factors, you can brainstorm and choose an essay topic that is both compelling and intellectually stimulating.

Best The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topics

• The duality of human nature in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The motif of secrecy and concealment in the novel
• The consequences of scientific experimentation in the Victorian era
• The significance of the setting in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The representation of good and evil in the novel
• The theme of addiction and self-destruction in the novel
• The role of women in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The symbolism of the potion in the novel
• The theme of transformation and identity in the novel
• The portrayal of mental illness in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The impact of social class on the characters in the novel
• The motif of repression and liberation in the novel
• The concept of morality and ethics in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The theme of control and power in the novel
• The significance of the title in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The representation of masculinity in the novel
• The motif of duality in the character of Mr. Hyde
• The theme of guilt and remorse in the novel
• The portrayal of violence and aggression in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The significance of the ending in the novel

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde essay topics Prompts

• Imagine you are Dr. Jekyll and write a journal entry detailing the moments before you first transform into Mr. Hyde.
• Write a character analysis of Mr. Hyde, exploring his motivations and actions throughout the novel.
• Compare and contrast the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, examining their similarities and differences.
• Analyze the role of the setting in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , focusing on its significance to the plot and themes of the novel.
• Create an alternate ending for the novel, exploring how the story would have unfolded if certain events had transpired differently.

When it comes to choosing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde essay topics, it's important to consider the themes, characters, and symbolism present in the novel. By brainstorming and selecting a topic that is specific, relevant, and original, you can create an essay that is engaging and thought-provoking. Whether you choose to explore the duality of human nature, analyze the characters, or examine the role of the setting, there are plenty of creative and compelling topics to choose from when writing about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .

Jekyll and Mr Hyde Moral

Analysis of jekyll and hyde duality in stevenson's novel, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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How Utterson is Presented in Jekyll and Hyde

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Through The Lens of Sigmund Freud

The duality of human nature in the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde, conformity and repression in the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde, darwin and freud in "the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde" and "the stolen bacillus", get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Presence of Silence and Language Limitations in Robert Louis Stevenson's Novel

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5 January 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson

Novella; Psychological Thriller, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Gothic, Science Fiction

Gabriel John Utterson, Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde, Richard Enfield, Dr. Hastie Lanyon, Mr. Poole, Inspector Newcomen, Sir Danvers Carew, MP, Maid

1. Stevenson, R. L. (2012). The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-with other short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson (Fantasy and Horror Classics). https://www.scribd.com/book/377905117/Strange-Case-of-Dr-Jekyll-and-Mr-Hyde-Other-Stories Read Books Ltd. 2. Clunas, A. (1994). Comely External Utterance: Reading Space in" The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". The Journal of Narrative Technique, 24(3), 173-189. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/30225414) 3. Mills, K. (2004). The Stain on the Mirror: Pauline Reflections in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Christianity & Literature, 53(3), 337-348. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/014833310405300303) 4. Goh, R. B. (1999). Textual Hyde and Seek:" Gentility," Narrative Play and Proscription in Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Journal of Narrative Theory, 29(2), 158-183. (https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/38/article/375823/summary) 5. Buzwell, G. (2014). Man is not truly one, but truly two’: duality in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The British Library. (https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/duality-in-robert-louis-stevensons-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde) 6. Maynard, K. K. (2000). The Perils and Pleasures of Professionalism in Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Doyle's A Study in Scarlet and Other Fictions. The European Legacy, 5(3), 365-384. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/713665493?journalCode=cele20) 7. Dury, R. (2005). Strange Language of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. https://www.academia.edu/11373763/Strange_Language_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde_Journal_of_Stevenson_Studies_2_2005_33_50  Journal of Stevenson Studies, 2, 33-50. 8. Stevenson, R. L., & Glasser, B. (2018). Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In Medicine and Literature (pp. 105-118). CRC Press. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781315375670-8/strange-case-dr-jekyll-mr-hyde-robert-louis-stevenson-brian-glasser)

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Robert Louis Stevenson

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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson , first published in 1886, is a classic tale of duality and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation . It is now more commonly known as just Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . Set in Victorian London, the novella tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a well-respected scientist, and his mysterious and malevolent alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde. Jekyll’s experiments with a potion lead to the physical and moral transformation into Hyde, an embodiment of his darker impulses.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the theme of the duality of human nature, the struggle between good and evil, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order. The foggy and ominous streets of Victorian London provide a fitting backdrop to the unfolding mystery, contributing to the suspenseful atmosphere of the narrative. Stevenson's exploration of the consequences of scientific curiosity and the ethical implications of separating the good and evil aspects of one's personality is both thought-provoking and chilling.

The novella’s capturing of the enduring fascination with the dark side of human nature has ensured its popularity in stage plays, films, and television productions over the years. Fredric March won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde in the 1931 film version.

Explore the  full plot summary , an in-depth analysis of  Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde , and explanations of  important quotes  in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .

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Dr jekyll and mr hyde (grades 9–1) york notes, robert louis stevenson, examiner's notes, you assessed this answer as grade 7 . hover over the highlighted text to read the examiner’s comments., read from chapter 10 (‘henry jekyll’s full statement of the case’) ‘ hence it came about ’ to ‘ my own knowledge does not pass beyond that point ’ (pages 57‒8). in this extract, jekyll explains how he came to see a division in himself between his respectable public life and the behaviour he was ashamed of..

Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson presents the idea of the ‘double’ in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde .

Write about:

• how Stevenson presents the idea of the ‘double’ in this extract
• how Stevenson presents the idea of the ‘double’ in the novel as a whole.

The concept of the ‘double’ is central to ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. There are several types of duality – the most important is the mix of good and evil in human nature. Other types of duality include appearance and reality, and science and the supernatural. This passage focuses most on the duality of ‘good and ill’ in Jekyll’s personality.

Jekyll’s Statement is an important part of the novella as it is the first time we find out the whole story and see events from Jekyll’s point of view. In this passage, Jekyll states one of the main themes of the book: ‘those provinces of good and ill which divide and compound man’s dual nature.’ This second aspect of a person is sometimes called their ‘alter ego’ – the aspect which Jekyll names Hyde.

Jekyll says he had been aware of two aspects to his character for a long time and felt he was living a double life. He tried to live as if he had only one nature, hiding his ‘faults’ because he was ashamed of them, but it was a strain. This introduces a different type of duality, that between appearance and reality. The appearance he presents to the outside world – a respectable doctor – is not the whole reality of who he is. Although he calls himself a ‘double-dealer’, which is usually a term for a cheat or criminal, Jekyll is honest in saying that both aspects – good and bad – were equally part of him. He now recognises that these opposite urges ‘made me what I was’, but it is too late to put himself back together into a single, whole personality. He also sees that the division is present in everyone, though it is less obvious in most people.

Jekyll’s scientific work leads him to a solution to his own ‘double-dealing’ life. He can make a potion which separates out the ‘bad’ and gives it independent life. But all he is really doing is making an ‘even deeper trench’ between the parts of his personality. He says that his scientific studies ‘led wholly toward the mystic and the transcendental’. This is the point over which he first falls out with Lanyon. The science/supernatural duality is presented through the contrasting characters Jekyll and Lanyon. Lanyon sees science as being the wholly rational, considering anything else to be ‘balderdash’, a word that dismisses Jekyll’s view without giving it any dignity. Jekyll’s choice of words, ‘mystical’ and ‘transcendental’, make his interests sound elevated and superior. The two areas of knowledge, the scientific and the mystical or supernatural, are another aspect of ‘the double’ in the novel.

Jekyll approaches the mystical through science. When ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ was written, people were starting to take an interest in psychology, which also tries to investigate the mind or soul through scientific ways. Writing about this duality of science/mystery would make the novella seem topical to Stevenson’s audience. The idea of a split between the ‘good’ spirit and the ‘bad’ body seeking physical pleasures is very old. Jekyll says that the awareness of ‘good and ill’ parts of the human ‘lies at the root’ of all religions. Stevenson himself rejected Christianity and became an atheist. There may be some criticism in Jekyll’s statement – religions exploit the natural duality of human nature, making people feel bad about themselves.

The last line suggests there might be more than two aspects to human nature but Jekyll doesn’t know because his explorations did ‘not pass beyond that point’ – he only experimented with two. This would mean a character could have more than one alter ego. But Jekyll’s conclusion – which comes too late to help him – is that it is natural to be composed of conflicting parts: ‘man is not truly one, but truly two.’ Trying to drive out the evil, to separate it in the personality of Hyde, is his downfall. The separation is not sustainable. Although Jekyll decides to give up Hyde and stops taking the potion, he cannot – Hyde breaks through, because he is ‘truly’ part of Jekyll.

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Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Kate S. ★ 5.0 (1)

University of leeds - ba english literature.

MA English Literature graduate from the University of Leeds

Notes || Exam Prep || Character Profiles || Themes || Additional Reading & Videos

This topic is included in  Paper 1 . You can find notes and guides for it below.

• Overview and Key Scenes
• Glossary of Key Terms
• Key Terms Flashcards
• Guide to Paper 1
• How to plan and write a top mark essay
• Question Bank - Characters
• Question Bank - Context
• Question Bank - Emotion and Tone
• Question Bank - Setting
• Question Bank - Themes

Additional Reading & Videos

• The strange double life of Robert Louis Stevenson
• Law, Science, Facts and Morals in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The Beast Within
• A Study in Dualism: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Duality in Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• The effect of Charles Darwin on Victorian literature
• Sigmund Freud and the Psyche

Character Profiles

• Mr Utterson
• Appearance vs Reality
• Secrecy & Reputation
• The Gothic & Supernatural

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70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde, 👍 simple & easy the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde essay titles, ❓ the strange case of dr. jekyll and mr. hyde essay questions.

• Human Character in «The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde» The first thesis is based on the historical context of the novel and I believe that the novel by Stevenson is a resonance of the frustration of many Victorian intellectuals of the stifling social norms […]
• Doppelganger in Stevenson’s Novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” In the end, the good doctor loses his life in abandoning himself to the strength of the monstrous evil portion of his being thus fulfilling the promise of the doppelganger. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Dualism in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Stevenson The peculiarity of this problem is that the author reveals the theme of the dualism of the human personality, revealing through his character the excellent and bad beginnings of personality.
• Dualism in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” With the help of the two characters portrayed by the doctor, the writer of the novella brings out the element of duality.
• The Real Nature of the Human Psyche in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde“ by R. L. Stevenson We live in a time when the majority of citizens in Western countries think of the concept of cultural and scientific progress as something that is being objectively predetermined, in the historical context of this […]
• Mystery and Horror in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Schizophrenia and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• Evil Will Prevail: “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Intrigue and Characters in Novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Science and Religion in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Fear and Suspense in the Novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”: Is There Evil Inside All of Us?
• The Nature of Evil in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Victorian Society and Culture in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson: Portrait of the Culture of the Victorian Era
• The Theme of Deception in Stevenson’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson and Films Inspired by This Novel
• Society and Culture in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”: How Does Stevenson Establish Intrigue in the Novella
• Repression Regarding “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• The Moral Versus the Immoral in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• Can Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Be Viewed as a Tragic Hero
• Compare How the Monsters in Both “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson With “Frankenstein” by Marry Shelley Are Similar and Different
• Human Beings and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• How Does R.L. Stevenson Create Fear and Suspense in the Novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Stevenson Explores the Nature of Good and Evil in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• How Robert Louis Stevenson Has Used Story Telling, Setting and Characterization to Bring Out the Theme of Duality in the Novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”: Portrait of the Duality of Man
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson: Renunciation of a Deviant
• Symbols and Places in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• A Psychological Reading of the Novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Anxiety and Drug Use in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Repressed Personality and Sexual Subtleties in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”: A View Into Societal Changes in the 19th Century
• Inner Evil and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Two-Faced Citizen in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
• The Lessons From the Idea of Good Side and Evil Side in All of Us in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by R.L Stevenson
• Gothic Elements in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Repression and the Control Over the Dark Desires in the Book “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson: Id, Ego, and Superego
• “Macbeth” and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”: The Theme of Psychological Deterioration and Terror
• Human Nature in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Personality and Tragedy in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Conflict Between Good and Evil in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Personality and the Beast Within “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
• How Does Stevenson Create Fear and Suspense in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Does the Setting Enhance the Atmosphere in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Good and Evil Are Portrayed in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Victorian Society Is Imaged in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Themes That Reflect Upon Gothic Elements in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Theme and Art in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Role Does Addiction Play in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Insanity and Responsibility in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Elements of Grotesque in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Does Robert Louis Stevenson Create Tension in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Devolution Anxieties in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Does Stevenson Portray the Duality of Man in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Homoerotic Architectures of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Is the Coercive Contract in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How Mental Problems Are Depicted in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Was the Inspiration for “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• Is “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” an Effective Representation of Evil in Fiction?
• What Is the Anxiety of the Unforseen in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Is the Changing Role of Science in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Jungian Archetypes of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• How the Transformations of Terror Is Imaged in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Is the Symbolism of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Is the Doppelganger Motif in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Are the Elements of Mystery in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
• What Is Theory of Mind and Metamorphoses in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”?
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IvyPanda. (2023, December 13). 70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-essay-topics/

"70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 13 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 13 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "70 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-essay-topics/.

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