Jekyll & Hyde: Themes & Characters — GCSE English Literature Revision
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Go to Jekyll & Hyde: Key QuotesWhat is Jekyll & Hyde: Themes & Characters?
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the duality of human nature, the conflict between good and evil within a single person. Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, creates a potion that unleashes his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde, leading to a tragic struggle between his two sides and raising questions about science, reputation, and repression in Victorian society.
Board notes: AQA focuses on the novella as a work of Gothic fiction and its exploration of human nature. Edexcel encourages an exploration of the scientific and social context of the late Victorian era. OCR places emphasis on the novella's narrative structure, symbolism, and the theme of secrecy.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
To analyse the theme of duality, a student could examine the physical descriptions of Jekyll and Hyde. Jekyll is described as a 'large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty', while Hyde is 'pale and dwarfish'. A good analysis would explore how this physical contrast symbolises the moral contrast between the two sides of Jekyll's personality, and how Hyde's deformity reflects his moral corruption.
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Common mistakes
- 1Seeing Jekyll and Hyde as two completely separate people. Hyde is a part of Jekyll, representing his repressed desires and darker impulses.
- 2Interpreting the story as a simple detective mystery. It is a psychological thriller that uses the mystery genre to explore deeper philosophical questions.
- 3Ignoring the theme of reputation. The pressure to maintain a respectable public image is a key reason why Jekyll feels the need to hide his darker side.
Jekyll & Hyde: Themes & Characters exam questions
Exam-style questions for Jekyll & Hyde: Themes & Characters with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Jekyll & Hyde: Themes & Characters
Core concept
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the duality of human nature, the conflict between good and evil within a single person. Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, creates a potion that un…
Frequently asked questions
Are Jekyll and Hyde the same person?
Yes, they are two sides of the same person. Hyde is the evil personality that Jekyll unleashes through his scientific experiments, representing the repressed, darker aspects of his own nature.
Why did Jekyll create Hyde?
Jekyll created Hyde because he was tired of repressing his darker desires to maintain his respectable reputation. He wanted to find a way to indulge his evil side without damaging his social standing, but he ultimately lost control.