Jekyll

• Dr. Jekyll's experiment with a potion allows him to transform into Mr. Hyde, a separate and darker personality.
• Dr. Jekyll's transformation into Mr. Hyde represents the ability of humankind to exhibit the most extreme opposites within themselves.
• The contrast between Mr. Jekyll's refined and cultured demeanor and Mr. Hyde's savage behavior highlights the duality within human nature.
• The use of symbolism such as the "blackness" that engulfs Dr. Jekyll when he transforms into Mr. Hyde adds to the horror and suspense of the story.
• The theme of identity is explored through the transformation from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, highlighting the struggle between good and evil within every person.
• Jekyll's desire to explore the duality of human nature leads to his downfall.
• Dr Jekyll is a well-respected doctor, thought to be based on notorious nineteenth-century individuals William Brodie and John Hunter
• Dr Jekyll's personality remains a turbulent mix of good and bad traits, serving to question the true nature of "good and evil"
• Dr Jekyll is a member of the bourgeoisie

  Hyde could also be considered a member, with violent actions due to Jekyll's creation of Hyde reflecting Stevenson's commentary on high-status behavior in society
• Dr Jekyll turns to God for redemption after realizing his mistakes


  Shows his turbulent relationship with religion
• Jekyll loses control leading to Hyde appearing uninvited, commenting on the increasing lack of control individuals can have over their behavior after giving into temptation
• Influence of William Brodie: Brodie's double life influenced Stevenson to consider the duality of human nature, leading to the inclusion of the dual relationship between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
• Dr Jekyll is kind and generous but shocks Utterson when he decides to change his will to leave everything he owns to Mr Hyde
• Dr Jekyll

  Symbolises repression & insatiable curiosity
• Dr Jekyll's secret is Mr Hyde, created as a result of his experimentation
• Dr Jekyll develops a concoction which separates the positive and negative characteristics of himself and creates Hyde


  Allows him to act in a way disapproved by society, to fulfil his pleasures
• Dr Jekyll may have engaged in homosexual relationships during his late teens/early twenties
• Dr Jekyll is a member of the upper-class with a very large secret to hide
• Jekyll and Hyde should be considered as one entity, creating drama in the novel and relationships providing the text's power
• Dr Jekyll symbolizes the ego in Freud's structural theory of the mind


  A balance between man's basal instincts and moral thought
• Influence of John Hunter: Hunter, a Doctor of high status, was Stevenson's inspiration for Dr Jekyll, leading to the portrayal of the character in the novel
• Lanyon


  Drifts apart from Jekyll after disagreeing on the improper and immoral usage of science
• Influence of John Hunter on Stevenson

  John Hunter is often considered Stevenson’s inspiration for the character of Dr Jekyll. Stevenson modeled Jekyll's house layout after Hunter's, showing the duality within houses and how the upper class in London cannot completely isolate themselves from the lower class
• Jekyll

  • Moral & Honourable: Participates in charity work and is community-minded. Engaged in questionable behavior when younger. Original aim was to create a drug to separate out the good parts of his personality. Social and friendly, holds dinner parties, but also self-involved. Inventive: Highly intelligent with a curious mind, experiments with separating his 'evil' side. Symbolizes the encroachment of science on religious thought during the Victorian era. Erratic: Becomes increasingly erratic as he hides the existence of Hyde from others
• Utterson


  Has a strong relationship with Jekyll, driving the plot forward. Both share intrinsic curiosity
• Jekyll's concealment of pleasures: 'He concealed his pleasures and suppressed his sinful side to maintain social respect and position in the world'
• Jekyll's attempt to re-assimilate into society: 'After indulging in Hyde, he attempts to re-assimilate into society, feeling a morbid sense of shame'
• Jekyll's sensation of freedom: 'Without societal restraints, he feels younger, lighter, and happier, with a current of disordered sensual images and a solution of the bonds of obligation'
• Utterson and Jekyll


  They have a strong relationship driving the plot forward, with Utterson's curiosity and concern leading him to uncover the case of Jekyll & Hyde. Their loyalty seems unconditional and unaffected by differences in opinion
• Hyde and Jekyll

  The power imbalance and increasing control Hyde has over Jekyll propels the narrative forward, with the boundary between them becoming increasingly fluid and uncontrollable
• Jekyll's physical transformation: 'His clothes hang formlessly on his shrunken limbs, and his hand appears corded and hairy, symbolizing uncontrolled freedom'
• Jekyll's inner "devil": 'References the manifestation of Jekyll's deepest desires in the form of Hyde, denoting a stark contrast with Christian ideas of morality'
• Lanyon and Jekyll


  They drift apart after disagreeing on the improper and immoral usage of science
• Jekyll's sociability and respect: 'He is described as sociable, well respected, and well-liked, behaving in a socially acceptable way'
• Speaker: 'Current of disordered sensual images… a solution of the bonds of obligation'
• The motif of darkness is used in "Late one accursed night"
• Jekyll's delight

  • Shown through the tricolon structure
• Jekyll being in accordance with scientific and moral protocol

  Highlighted through "Noble spirit" and "empire of generous or pious aspirations"
• Jekyll has failed in splitting the good and the bad

  Evil thrives and subsumes his underlying purity and innocence
• The restraints of society

  Are burdensome