context

• Who was considered a big star of the 19th century literary scene?

  Robert Louis Stevenson
• Where was Robert Louis Stevenson born?

  Edinburgh, Scotland
• What was Stevenson's mother's background?

  She was the daughter of a clergyman
• What health issues did Stevenson face during his childhood?

  He was often very sick and missed long periods of school
• What illness is Stevenson thought to have had?

  Tuberculosis
• Who was responsible for Stevenson's day-to-day care?

  A living nanny named Alison Cunningham
• What religious beliefs did Alison Cunningham hold?

  She was a deeply religious Calvinist
• What stories did Cunningham tell Stevenson?

  Stories about the Covenanters and the devil
• What themes did Stevenson's childhood nightmares involve?

  Nightmares of hell and fear of not being accepted into heaven
• How did Victorian society view behavior and sexuality?

  There was a strict emphasis on proper behavior and sexuality was forbidden to discuss
• What duality did Stevenson explore in his writing?

  The idea that a person has more than one personality or mindset
• What did Stevenson refer to as "the other fellow"?

  A careless, reckless, and irrational part of himself
• How did Stevenson's upbringing influence "Jekyll and Hyde"?

  It reflected his personal struggles with duality and societal expectations
• What societal class did Stevenson associate with in Edinburgh's Old Town?

  People considered of a very low order, including prostitutes
• What does "Jekyll and Hyde" question about human nature?

  What if the dark side of a person won out?
• What are the key themes in "Jekyll and Hyde" related to Stevenson's life?

  • Duality of human nature
  • Struggle between public persona and private desires
  • Influence of strict Victorian societal norms
  • Personal fears and nightmares
• How did Stevenson's childhood experiences shape his literary works?

  • Illness led to introspection and awareness of duality
  • Influence of religious upbringing on themes of morality
  • Experiences with societal expectations reflected in characters
  • Relationships with lower-class individuals informed his understanding of human nature
• What was a significant societal change in Britain during the 1800s?


  There was an influx of working-class people into big cities.
• Why did the upper classes in Victorian society feel nervous during the 1800s?

  They felt outnumbered by the influx of working-class individuals.
• How did the upper classes respond to the influx of lower-class individuals into cities?

  They created no-go areas in the cities.
• What was the significance of the division of cities into no-go areas?

  It created a contrasting view of London, highlighting class divisions.
• Where did wealthy people tend to live in London during the Victorian era?

  In the west of London.
• What were "shilling shockers" in Victorian literature?

  They were stories written to shock and entertain the upper classes about lower-class individuals.
• Who was the intended audience for the shilling shockers?

  The upper classes.
• What was the main theme of Stevenson's "Jekyll and Hyde"?

  It explores the duality of man and the dark side of human nature.
• How did "Jekyll and Hyde" reflect societal fears of the time?

  It illustrated fears of the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of scientific experimentation.
• Who conducted bizarre experiments in the field of medicine during the Victorian era?

  John Hunter.
• What was a common fear associated with scientific discoveries during the Victorian age?

  That they could lead to the creation of something monstrous.
• How does "Jekyll and Hyde" relate to the concept of the mad scientist?

  Dr. Jekyll's experiments reflect the fears of uncontrolled scientific exploration.
• What influence did psychoanalysis have on Stevenson's writing?

  It informed his exploration of the subconscious and duality of man.
• Who is considered the father of psychoanalysis?

  Sigmund Freud.
• How do Stevenson's ideas compare to Freud's theories?

  Both explore the duality of man and the influence of the subconscious.
• What was the societal reaction to discussions of sexuality during the Victorian era?

  Such discussions were often forbidden or couched in metaphors.
• What was the significance of "Psychopathic Sexuality" by Richard von Kraft-Ebbing?

  It studied sexual behavior and included case studies that shocked Victorian society.
• How did "Jekyll and Hyde" differ from other shilling shockers of the time?

  It left many details to the imagination, allowing for multiple interpretations.
• What themes are explored in "Jekyll and Hyde" in relation to its historical context?

  • Class tensions and societal divisions
  • The fear of scientific experimentation
  • The duality of human nature
  • The influence of psychoanalysis and subconscious desires
• What societal changes were occurring in Britain during the 1800s that influenced literature?

  • Industrialization and urbanization
  • Influx of working-class individuals into cities
  • Rapid advancements in science and medicine
  • Growing interest in psychoanalysis and human behavior
• How does "Jekyll and Hyde" serve as a reflection of Victorian society?

  • It highlights class divisions and fears of the lower classes.
  • It addresses the consequences of unchecked scientific exploration.
  • It explores the complexities of human nature and morality.