Dr Jekyll

• 'a large, well made, smooth faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps but every ,mark of capacity and kindness'

  • Smooth-faced suggests a lack of visible hardship or age, which indicates he is not burdened by the troubles that affect others. Implies youthfulness or immaculate appearance
  • Capacity suggests that the man is intelligent, capable, and possibly ambitious, while kindness implies that he is also compassionate, empathetic, and morally sound. Together, these traits make him appear well-rounded and likeable.
  • "slyish cast" introduces a level of ambiguity to the character - hints at a darker side to his personality. This phrase creates tension between the character’s surface appearance and a hidden, potentially more deceptive nature.
  • Gives a multifaceted image of a character who positive qualities and potential negative traits.
• “You could see by his looks he cherished for Mr Utterson a sincere and warm affection.”

  • Connotes deep emotional value; Jekyll truly values Utterson, suggesting warmth and emotional depth.
  • shows Jekyll's genuine, trusting nature, and his ability to form true, emotional connections, contrasting with Hyde’s cold detachment.
  • Visible through his looks shows that his goodness is naturally expressed, contrasting how Hyde's evil is naturally expressed.
  • Humanises Jekyll and builds sympathy for him. It reinforces the tragedy of his fall – that such a kind, affectionate man could become consumed by the darker sides of himself.
• 'The doctor carried it off gaily.”

  • Suggests composure and confidence, indicating Jekyll's ability to handle awkward or probing situations with charm.
  • Contrast Hyde's interaction with utterson in chapt 2.
  • "Gaily" conveys cheerfulness and light-heartedness, portraying Jekyll as sociable, charismatic, and still in control – at least on the surface.
  • shows Jekyll's skill at deception, but also his desire to maintain relationships and normalcy.
• "That hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies"

  • Metaphor suggesting someone rigid, narrow-minded, and unwilling to change or accept new ideas.
  • It reflects how Jekyll views Lanyon—as stuck in traditional scientific thinking.
  • highlights the conflict between traditional and experimental science, a key theme in the novel.
  • It reflects Jekyll’s desire to push boundaries and explore the duality of man, whereas Lanyon represents conventional Victorian rationality.
  • Also shows Jekyll’s resentment toward those who judge him—hinting at his growing isolation and obsession with his experiments.
• 'Dr jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes'

  • Colour imagery to reflect extreme emotional disturbance.
  • The paleness suggests fear, guilt, or illness—possibly his fear of being discovered or the physical toll of his double life.
  • The blackness symbolises evil, secrecy, and corruption—linking to Hyde and the darkness within Jekyll.
  • Foreshadowing: These physical changes subtly foreshadow Jekyll’s deteriorating mental and moral state - It hints at his inner conflict and the uncontrollable power Hyde is beginning to have over him.
• "I am painfully situated, Utterson."

  • Euphemism - uses it to downplay the severity of his moral and emotional crisis. In truth, he is trapped by his dark secret.
  • The line is deliberately vague, reflecting Jekyll’s unwillingness or inability to explain the full truth.
  • This ambiguity builds tension and mystery, keeping both Utterson and the reader in the dark.
  • It shows Jekyll as tormented and emotionally burdened. He's caught between his public persona and the chaos unleashed by Hyde.
• "The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde"

  • Declarative sentence - reflects Jekyll’s confidence and illusion of power. It indicates a moment of self-assurance - it builds up a sense of inevitability and tragic downfall.
  • Ironic - A facde of control as he later demonstrates an inability to permanently abandon Hyde.
  • Foreshadows Jekyll’s eventual loss of control over Hyde.
• "I have really great interest in poor Hyde" "I do sincerely take a great, a very great interest in that young man"

  • “poor” implies a degree of compassion- Ironic, as Hyde’s actions are far from pitiable, and it shows how Jekyll might be trying to rationalize or excuse his darker impulses.
  • Repetition of the word "great" emphasizes the intensity of Jekyll’s feelings for Hyde - suggests an obsessive attraction, reinforcing the idea that Jekyll is becoming more entangled in Hyde’s personality
  • By expressing "great interest" in Hyde, Jekyll is acknowledging the importance and intrigue of the darker side of himself.
  • This curiosity and fascination with Hyde symbolize the tension between the good and evil within Jekyll.
  • Foreshadows Jekyll’s eventual trapped feeling in his relationship with Hyde. He’s expressing his admiration or attachment, but in doing so, he unknowingly sets the stage for his own destruction.
• “Utterson, I swear to God,” cried the doctor, “I swear to God I will never set eyes on him again.' 'It is all at an end''I am quite done with him'

  • Repetition - Emphasises desperation and emotional intensity.
  • Religious language - Suggesting Jekyll is appealing to a higher moral authority or perhaps trying to absolve himself.
  • Suggests a crisis of conscience — he knows how dangerous Hyde is but feels trapped.
  • Declarative sentence - Illusion of power, yet he has no control - ironically, Hyde will return.
  • The short sentence has finality — no room for negotiation, no ambiguity - he truly hates HYde.
  • Reflects the duality of man: Jekyll wants to reject Hyde, but cannot resist the temptation he represents.
• "There's a rather singular resemblance; the two hands are in many points identical; only differently sloped."

  • Oxymoron – The phrase is almost contradictory: how can something be unique and similar at the same time? This hints at the duality of Jekyll and Hyde — they are both different and the same.
  • Foreshadowing: The handwriting being "identical, only differently sloped" suggests that Hyde and Jekyll are linked in a way deeper than expected — it quietly foreshadows that they are, in fact, the same person.
  • Symbolism of handwriting: Handwriting is often seen as a reflection of the inner self. The fact that their handwriting matches, but Hyde’s is sloped differently, reflects how Jekyll and Hyde share one identity, but their personalities and moral inclinations diverge.
• '“What!..... Henry Jekyll forge for a murderer!" And his blood ran cold in his veins.'

  • Exclamation and Interrobang - The shocked tone conveyed through punctuation shows Utterson’s disbelief. It emphasises the emotional impact of what he suspects — that Jekyll may be complicit in Hyde’s crimes.
  • Direct address of Jekyll’s full name – Referring to him by full name gives the moment weight and formality, highlighting Utterson’s respect for Jekyll and his struggle to believe someone so reputable could fall so low.
  • A metaphor for fear and horror, this common gothic trope shows how deeply shaken Utterson is by the idea of Jekyll’s involvement. It also reflects the theme of reputation vs reality.
• 'now that that evil influence had been withdrawn, a new life began for Dr Jekyll' “He came out of his seclusion, renewed relations with his friends, became once more their familiar guest and entertainer;

  'he was now no less distinguished for religion.”

  'his face seemed to open and brighten'

  • Asyndetic listing creates a quick rythm which conveys the overwhelming abundance of progress Dr Jekyll has made in his lifestyle.
  • Religious diction – Highlights the Victorian value of moral and religious respectability. Jekyll’s return to faith may symbolise a desire for redemption, or perhaps his guilt surfacing.
  • Metaphor – a reflection of his inner peace and tranquility
• "On the 8th of January Utterson had dined at the doctor’s with a small party.....the trio were inseparable friends... on the 12th, and again on the 14th, the door was shut against the lawyer." 'the doctor was confined to the house...and saw no one' 'return of solitude'

  • Juxtaposition - Reflects his erratic nature as he switches from a socialite to isolation, shows his loss of control over his dual identity.
  • The reported dialogue gives eveidence of the whipplash and disorientating change Jekyll experiences, he no long communicates first hand but instead uses othe rmediums.
• 'You must suffer me to go my own dark way' "If am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also." 'I henceforth intend to lead a life of extreme seclusion' 'house of voluntary bondage' 'its inscrutable recluse'

  • Juxtaposition between his liberarion and then confinement shows the corrupting nature of Hyde.
  • Use of epistloary form highlights Jekyll's separation from society and places a barrier from the outside world.
  • Metaphor – symbolising Jekyll’s descent into secrecy, moral corruption, and duality.
  • Religious Connotations: invokes Christian imagery of sin and redemption. being the most sinful or the most fallen, indicating that Jekyll sees himself as almost irredeemable, highlighting his tragic fall from grace.
• “I am very low, Utterson,” replied the doctor drearily, “very low. It will not last long, thank God.

  • Repetition – The repetition emphasises Jekyll’s emotional and possibly physical decline.
  • Suggests depression, exhaustion, or even a sense of spiritual emptiness, which reflects the consequences of his moral and scientific transgressions.
  • Adverb – “drearily”
  • “Drearily” conveys monotony and hopelessness, painting Jekyll as someone disheartened and resigned.
  • It also shows a stark contrast to the earlier, charming, and confident Jekyll, highlighting his deterioration.
  • Foreboding – It foreshadows his eventual demise, as he loses control over Hyde and his dual identity.
  • Ironically, his use of "Thank God" while referencing his decline creates tension between science and religion, a key theme in the novel.
• "Succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below."

  • Emphasises a complete emotional collapse – Jekyll isn’t just afraid, he’s utterly consumed by fear.
  • This vivid image makes the horror palpable. It implies that Jekyll’s expression was unnatural, shocking, and even supernatural
  • Passive Construction –The passivity implies loss of control — Jekyll doesn’t choose this reaction; it overtakes him.
  • Jekyll’s horror is contagious, spreading fear and suspense to the reader as well.
• "God forgive us, God forgive us."

  • Religious Language - Invoking God highlights the moral weight of the scene.
  • It implies that they feel not just shock but also guilt or sin, as if they've witnessed something unnatural or damned — possibly a crime against divine order.
  • Repetition creates a sense of urgency and panic - It suggests that what they’ve seen is beyond human comprehension or control — something morally and spiritually terrifying.
  • Short, Fragmented Sentence - Reflects speechlessness and the immediate emotional impact.
  • It's a reaction that escapes rational thought, driven entirely by emotion and horror.
• “With a sudden splutter of the pen, the writer’s emotions had broken loose.”

  • Onomatopoeia – The use of “splutter” mimics the sound of the pen as it moves uncontrollably across the paper, reflecting the chaotic emotions the writer is experiencing.
  • It conveys a loss of control over thoughts and feelings, symbolising the mental turmoil the writer is undergoing.
  • Personification - The phrase “the writer’s emotions had broken loose” personifies emotions as if they are physical entities capable of breaking free.
  • This emphasises the overwhelming nature of Jekyll's desperation, suggesting they can no longer be contained or controlled.
• “Once, I heard it weeping!… weeping like a woman or a lost soul.”

  • Exclamatory Phrase: shows shock, fear, and urgency, giving a real sense of emotional trauma as Poole recounts something deeply disturbing.
  • Simile: evokes fragility, vulnerability, and unexpected emotional depth, especially shocking coming from what they assume is Mr Hyde.
  • Suggests damnation, suffering, and hopelessness, Could symbolise Jekyll’s inner torment — perhaps it’s Jekyll, trapped inside Hyde, weeping in despair.
  • Referring to the figure as “it” again removes humanity — dehumanising and heightening the mystery.
• "Mr Utterson knew he was looking on the body of a self-destroyer."

  • Euphemism - Suicide was taboo and sinful in Victorian society.
  • Reflects the moral and psychological torment Jekyll endured, rather than portraying him as simply mad or evil.
• "I cannot remember, at least on my side, a break in our affection." "I would... have sacrificed my left hand to help you."

  • Hyperbole: “Sacrificed my left hand” is an exaggeration used to emphasise just how much Jekyll cared in order to manipulate Lanyon into helping, just as Lady Macbeth does.
• 'I was born... to a large fortune, endowed besides with excellent parts,.... and thus, as might have been supposed with every guarantee of a distinguished future'

  • Emphasises Jekyll’s social status and comfort. He was born into wealth, giving him a secure and promising start in life.
  • Tragic Irony - Stevenson uses irony here. Jekyll should have been destined for greatness, but he ends up consumed by his own darker nature.
  • His fall from grace makes the narrative even more tragic, because he begins as an ideal Victorian gentleman.
  • OTH, it could be percieved as Jekyll being too greedy and thus he deserves his consequences as he had the potential to live a morally upright, respected life.
• 'fond of the respect of the wise and good among my fellow- men'

  '"Many a man would have blazoned such irregularities as I was guilty of; but from the high views I had set before me, I regarded and hid them with an almost morbid sense of shame."

  • Strong emotional language showing how deeply Jekyll is affected by guilt.
  • “Morbid” links to sickness and decay – hinting that his repression is not healthy, and it will eventually destroy him.
  • Jekyll holds himself to an ideal standard, aiming to be morally perfect.
  • other men might openly admit or even boast about their sins, but due to the expectations he has of himself and from society - he feels trapped.
• 'I concealed my pleasures' 'I stood already committed to a profound duplicity of life' 'severed in me provinces of good and ill which divide and compund man's dual nature' 'Though so profound a double-dealer, I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest' 'a second form none the less natural to me because they were the expression, and bore the stamp, of lower elements in my soul'

  • “Divide and compound” = paradox: humans are both split and blended creatures.
  • This reflects the novel’s exploration of the inherent duality of man.
• "By whose partial discovery I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two"

  • Metaphor – Evokes disaster, destruction, and loss of control.
  • A “shipwreck” suggests that Jekyll's life and soul have been completely ruined.
  • It links to the idea of once having potential and direction, now totally derailed.
  • “Doomed”: Suggests fate, inevitability, and moral consequence.
  • Reinforces the tragic arc: his ambition and curiosity sealed his fate.
• "Could but be housed in separate identities, life would be relieved of all that was unbearable."

  • Metaphor – Jekyll imagines the soul as something that could be physically split, each part with its own identity or “house.”
  • This reflects his scientific ambition to control and contain dual aspects of the self.
  • Suggests the pain of living a morally conflicted life — the burden of hypocrisy and repression.
  • Implies that being a single, complex human is too emotionally taxing for Jekyll.
  • Reflects Victorian social pressures and the cost of maintaining a respectable image while hiding darker impulses.
• "In the agonised womb of consciousness, these polar twins should be continuously struggling."

  • Metaphor – The “womb” metaphor evokes birth and origin, but here it's agonised — filled with pain and conflict.
  • Suggests that human consciousness is the painful birthplace of internal moral conflict. Reflects mental torment, portraying the mind as a battleground for identity.
  • Oxymoron / Juxtaposition – “Twins” suggests a shared origin — Jekyll and Hyde are two parts of the same self. “Polar” emphasizes extreme opposition — good vs evil, morality vs desire.
  • Reinforces the psychological and moral suffering caused by this division and the duality of human nature: two irreconcilable forces locked together.
• 'I risked death; for any drug that so potently controlled and shook the very fortress of identity..."

  • Metaphor: The fortress metaphor implies that identity is something strong, secure, and essential — but also something that can be attacked and broken.
  • Suggests that the drug doesn't just alter Jekyll's appearance — it destabilises his very sense of self.
• 'The most racking pangs succeeded; a grinding in the bones, deadly nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannot be exceeded at the horror of birth or death'

  • Jekyll uses hyperbole to stress that this agony is beyond any human experience.
  • Tactile imagery (“racking,” “grinding”) makes us almost feel the crushing, mechanical violence of the change and heightens the bodily horror.
• "These agonies began to swiftly subside, and I came to myself as if out of a great sickness."

  • Juxtaposition – There's a sharp contrast between the intense suffering and the return to calmness, mirroring the duality of Jekyll and Hyde. However, for Jekyll peace is the freedom of restriction which Hyde provides.
  • Simile – Compares the transformation to recovering from a serious illness, reinforcing the idea that the restrictions of society are deeply unnatural and damaging to both body and soul.
  • The word "agonies" is loaded with emotive weight, evoking suffering, horror, and torture.
• "I felt younger, lighter, happier in body; within I was conscious of a heady recklessness."

  • Asyndetic Listing –The lack of conjunctions gives the description a fast, breathless rhythm, mirroring Jekyll’s excitement and exhiliration.
  • Contrast - While Jekyll feels physically better, the phrase "heady recklessness" hints at a loss of moral restraint—his mind is not in control. It shows the duality between physical vitality and internal chaos.
  • “Younger, lighter, happier” appeals to feelings of freedom, release, even rebirth.
  • “Heady recklessness” evokes a drunken, uncontrolled sensation—suggesting that Hyde is intoxicating, but also dangerous.
  • This moment marks the beginning of Jekyll’s downfall—a false sense of freedom and joy that masks the moral danger ahead. The thrill is real, but so is the cost.
• “I knew myself, at the first breath of this new life, to be more wicked, tenfold more wicked, sold a slave to my original evil; and the thought in that moment braced and delighted me like wine.”

  • Repetition emphasises the extreme depth of evil Jekyll feels as Hyde; exaggerates his fall, showing he is overwhelmed by vice.
  • Metaphor – Jekyll describes himself as a slave to sin—suggesting loss of agency and addiction to evil, foreshadowing his future loss of control.
  • “Original evil” links to the Christian doctrine of original sin, implying Hyde is the pure embodiment of Jekyll’s innate corruption.
  • Simile – Evil becomes intoxicating—it gives him a thrill, a rush, like alcohol. This shows how seductive and addictive wrongdoing can be when there’s no fear of consequence or judgment.
• "I stretched my hands, exulting in the freshness of these sensations; and in the act I was suddenly aware that I had lost in stature."

  • The act of stretching conveys freedom, as Jekyll revels in the physical change as if hes is a newborn baby.The freshness of the sensations indicates that he feels alive in a way he hasn’t before.
  • Stature here doesn’t just refer to height, but also dignity or respectability. Losing stature symbolizes his degradation into a more primal, corrupt version of himself and his fall from grace.
  • This could also be a literal physical shrinkage, suggesting that Hyde is smaller, less human, representing the debasement of Jekyll when he gives in to his evil side.
  • The loss of stature reflects how his identity as Hyde is inferior to the more respectable and dignified Jekyll, but it’s the version of him he feels more liberated in.
• "The evil side of my nature... was less robust and less developed than the good which I had just deposed."'Edward Hyde was so much smaller, slighter, and younger than Henry Jekyll'

  • Repression – The idea that Jekyll had suppressed evil so thoroughly it hadn't had a chance to grow—yet that repression makes it more dangerous once released.
  • Metaphor of Political Power – "Deposed" casts the self as a kingdom, where power has shifted from good to evil. This metaphor paints the internal struggle as a civil war of the soul.
• 'When i looked upon that ugly idol in the glass, I was concious of no repugnance, rather a leap of welcome. This, too, was myself. It seemed nnatural and human'

  • Jekyll feels "no repugnance" toward Hyde, despite his hideous appearance. This is deeply unsettling—it shows Jekyll's willing acceptance of his darker nature.
  • The "leap of welcome" suggests excitement and relief, rather than horror. He embraces Hyde as a true expression of a repressed self.
  • Idol worship is condemned as false or sinful. Calling Hyde an "idol" implies that Jekyll is tempted to worship his own sinful side, showing his moral corruption
  • The oxymoron "ugly idol" reveals the paradox: Hyde is both repulsive and fascinating-Jekyll is drawn to what he knows is wrong.
  • Jekyll’s realisation that Hyde is not unnatural, but a true part of humanity, supports Stevenson’s message that evil is not foreign to us—it is within. challenges the Victorian idea of moral perfection
• Duality Quotes

  • 'I concealed my pleasures'
  • 'I stood already committed to a profound duplicity of life'
  • 'severed in me provinces of good and ill which divide and compund man's dual nature' '
  • Though so profound a double-dealer, I was in no sense a hypocrite; both sides of me were in dead earnest'
  • 'a second form none the less natural to me because they were the expression, and bore the stamp, of lower elements in my soul'

  • "All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil."
• "I sprang headlong into the sea of liberty."

  • Metaphor - The "sea of liberty" suggests a vast, boundless freedom — like an ocean without rules or limits.
  • "liberty" Jekyll refers to is moral freedom — the ability to act without guilt, shame, or consequence, something Hyde allows him to do.
  • At first, Jekyll views becoming Hyde as a liberating experience.But the metaphor becomes ironic when we know the "sea of liberty" drowns him — the very freedom he seeks destroys him.
  • It shows how Jekyll romanticised his evil urges, seeing Hyde as a release, not a threat.
  • By using the verb "sprang", Stevenson shows how eager and reckless Jekyll was — he was impulsive; he dove in without thought for the consequences.
  • Stevenson critiques the idea that total freedom from social or moral rules is desirable — it leads to chaos and ruin.
• "Edward Hyde would pass away like a stain of breath upon a mirror."

  • Simile describes Hyde as temporary, faint, and easily wiped away.
  • This shows how Jekyll initially believes Hyde is fragile, short-lived — something that can disappear without lasting damage - has an Illusion of Control.
  • A mirror reflects the truth, identity, and self-image. The "stain of breath" distorts that reflection — just as Hyde distorts Jekyll's true self. It shows that even if Hyde vanishes, the impact on Jekyll’s soul remains, clouding his conscience.
• “I was often plunged into a kind of wonder at my vicarious depravity.'

  'Henry Jekyll stood at times aghast before the acts of Edward Hyde.”

  • "Plunged" suggests being suddenly overwhelmed, showing Jekyll's deep emotional reaction to Hyde’s behaviour.
  • His “wonder” is unsettling — it reveals a twisted fascination, not just horror. This highlights the dangerous allure of evil and how it can captivate even the moral.
  • The Juxtaposition between Jekyll (civilised, moral) vs Hyde (violent, depraved) further shows the duality of man.

  This quote reveals Jekyll’s psychological conflict. He is both detached from and horrified by Hyde, but ultimately cannot deny that Hyde is a part of him. Stevenson explores how the repression of one’s darker instincts doesn’t destroy them — it makes them more dangerous, because they grow in secret.
• “It was Hyde, after all, and Hyde alone, that was guilty.”

  • Prior, he was wholly accepted Hyde as his own, yet he rejects responsibility due to his cries - Shows he has a moral compass.
  • By blaming Hyde, Jekyll avoids confronting his own guilt.
  • Third-person distancing – using “Hyde” instead of “I” shows Jekyll’s detachment. Jekyll is attempting to separate his identity from Hyde’s.
  • However, Stevenson’s message is clear: Jekyll and Hyde are the same person — this separation is artificial.
  • It exposes the flawed logic behind trying to divide human nature into pure good and pure evil.