The Strange Case Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Concept Analysis
Literary Text: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (Pocket
Books, Simon and Schuster, Inc. First Edition)
Plot Summary
Gabriel Utterson, a prominent lawyer
living in London, is suspicious of the will his
dear friend Dr. Jekyll places in his care. The
will identifies the mysterious Mr. Hyde as
Jekyll’s sole recipient and Mr. Utterson fears
his friend has been blackmailed into creating
the document. After careful observations,
his uncertainties are only deepened as he
witnesses the cruel actions and haunting
presence of Mr. Hyde. When Mr. Hyde is
charged with the murder of Sir Danvers
Carew, a prominent member of Parliament, Utterson confronts Dr. Jekyll concerning the
whereabouts of the murderer. But the convicted man seems to have vanished into thin air.
Utterson’s life and his friendship with Dr. Jekyll return to normal until Jekyll suddenly refuses to
see visitors and remains constantly locked in his room and requesting strange medicines. When
Jekyll’s butler suspects foul play, they break into the room only to find the dead body of Mr. Hyde.
The only clues to Jekyll’s fate are series of documents addressed to Utterson that finally reveal
the truth.
Organizational Patterns
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is divided into ten chapters. The chapters are
not numbered, but appropriately named for content. The first eight chapters are told based on the
observations and view points of the English Lawyer, Gabriel Utterson. The last two chapters
consist of important documents found by Utterson that explain the mysterious events of the story.
Chapter 9, “Dr. Lanyon’s Narrative,” explains the observances of one of Jekyll’s closest friends and
reveals gruesome information that caused his early death. Chapter 10, “Henry Jekyll’s Full
Statement of the Case,” then gives a first hand account from Dr. Jekyll about Mr. Hyde and their
intimate relationship.
Central Question / Enduring Issue
“Those provinces of good and ill which divide and compound man’s dual nature.” – pg.71
Is human nature inherently good or evil?
Before the novel even begins Dr. Jekyll is aware of the conflicting motivations that drive his
own life. Wicked desires clash with moral judgment. The desire to understand and separate these
two sides of human nature is what leads him to his unfortunate experiments. Mr. Hyde embodies all
the evil, violent, and sensual aspects of Dr. Jekyll’s character. Dr. Jekyll attempts to disassociate
his evil luxuries from his own upstanding reputation, but as he indulges the whims of Mr. Hyde, Dr.
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Jekyll’s control wanes. When Mr. Hyde eventually overpowers Dr. Jekyll, he causes both of their
deaths.
To which side of human nature is man more susceptible,
the evil or good? Do individuals have any choice in the
matter?
Dr. Jekyll explains that his original desire was to
separate the good side of human nature from the evil
that kept it from always doing good, thus “relieving life
of all that [is] unbearable.” (pg. 72) When he finally
succeeds in making the correct drug to illicit the
separation, he notes that it did not particularly favor
good or evil, it just prompted the separation of the two.
Because Dr. Jekyll’s “evil [side] was kept awake by ambition” at the time he first took the drug, he
became all evil and his goodness “slumbered” (pg. 76). Every time afterward, Dr. Jekyll took the
drug as a release from righteous duties and responsibility instead of using it to oust the evil and
replace it with only good. The question remains open as to whether his life outcome would have
been different had he used the drug to enhance his innate goodness instead of his inherent evil. An
interesting comparison can also be made between the selfless character of Gabriel Utterson and
the secretly self-indulging character of Dr. Jekyll. Choice determined which side of human nature
would prevail in their lives and this choice led to drastically different outcomes.
Issues Related to Study of Literature
Themes
The Double Nature of Man
The central theme of the novel is the double/dual nature of humankind. This theme
becomes especially prevalent in the ending chapters of the novel when Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll are
identified as the same person. Dr. Jekyll especially comments on this dual nature and its central
role in his experiments. After living with the detrimental influence of Mr. Hyde, Jekyll discovers
that these two sides of human nature are truly inseparable and that any attempt to disassociate
the good from the bad leads to madness.
Tests of Friendship
The main characters of the novel are all good friends. Mr. Utterson, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and
Dr. Hastie Lanyon often see each other for legal and medical advice. Both Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon
entrust their wills to Mr. Utterson, and in the end, Dr. Jekyll bequeaths all his possessions to
Utterson as well. They often spend evenings together and genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
However, the strengths of their friendships weaken under the influence of Mr. Hyde. When Dr.
Jekyll asks Dr. Lanyon for private help in transforming from Hyde back to Jekyll, their friendship
is dissolved and they become estranged. Utterson remains a faithful friend to the end, but we are
left to wonder what would have happened had he learned about the truth before Jekyll’s death.
Consequences of Promethean Ambition
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Similar to the main character in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll strives to surpass
the traditional bounds of science and medicine. When he succeeds in separating human character,
he uses this new-found knowledge irresponsibly. He indulges himself with the ability to escape
reality and avoid responsibility for evil pleasure. In the long run, he must pay for his decisions and
actions.
Appearances and Hidden Truth
Appearances are vital parts of life for all the characters in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The
desire to keep a good reputation is what prevents Dr. Jekyll from acting on his evil desires in the
first place. When Mr. Hyde first tramples the little girl, the policemen threaten first to ruin his
name, and then to punish him. He produces the check only to preserve his name as a respectable
gentleman. Stevenson uses wordplay and comparisons to juxtapose truth and appearances in
descriptions (like those of the houses of the “respectable” gentlemen of the story and the
dilapidated houses in other areas of London) and names (Mr. Hyde hides behind the righteous
façade provided by Dr. Jekyll).
Other Themes: Responsibility and Accountability, Repression and Victorian Society, Society of
Bachelors
Setting
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
takes place in the busy streets of London England
during the late 1800’s. No precise dates are given,
however, many letters are dated with the generic 18
– and the last chapter notes that Dr. Jekyll was even
born in the same century, indicating that the bulk of
the novel takes place in the second half of the
century. Most of the action takes place in the
streets of London and in Dr. Jekyll’s peculiar house
which connects to a laboratory and a separate living
arrangement to which Mr. Hyde has a key.
Point of View / Narrative Voice
The novel is written in the third person limited omniscient point of view. The narrator, an
unknown third party, tells the entire story mainly from the view of the lawyer Mr. Gabriel
Utterson. The last two chapters consist of letters written from the first person perspectives of
Dr. Lanyon and Dr. Jekyll.
The narrative voice mirrors the general character of the narrator. The majority of the
novel, told from Utterson’s viewpoint, depicts a very practical world. Most descriptions are very
straightforward and simple. He’s a man who gets directly to the point and the narrative voice
mirrors that characteristic. In contrast, when the novel turns to the letters by Lanyon, (pg. 60)
the practicality of Utterson transforms into a resigned kind of depression. The last chapter of
the book finally turns to the panicked voice of Dr. Jekyll (pg. 70). His voice and storytelling, which
jumps haphazardly between events, mirrors his scattered mindset which he continually describes
with the metaphor of a “shipwreck.”
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Connection to Literary Terms
This novel features a series of important literary terms that students should learn and
recognize as effective literary devices for this novel.
1. Allusion
Throughout the novel, the narrator uses allusions to expand descriptions and understanding.
While some will be obvious without further study, many will require students to do further
research to understand the meaning. Students should recognize the way the specific
allusions used enhance the major themes and tone of the book.
2. Rising Action / Climax / Falling Action
Students should be able to recognize these aspects of the book. This is a simple novel to
use for teaching these concepts because of the single central climax and all the events that
lead to it and then complete the story afterward.
3. Foreshadowing
This is used throughout the story as both the central character and reader do not know
that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person until the end. After students finish the novel,
the students should go back through the book and recognize this literary device and how it
adds to readers’ understanding and prediction-making.
4. Frame Story
This novel could also be used to teach the concept of a frame story. Mr. Utterson tells
Jekyll’s story and we learn of the complete story mostly through the letters shared with
the reader by Mr. Utterson.
Affective Issues Related to the Work
At first glance, most of the characters in this work seem unrelatable to students. They are
mostly older bachelors who live lives of luxury in nineteenth century England. Unlike other modern
popular novels, teachers will have to show most students appropriate ways to connect with the main
characters.
One main point students should be able to relate
to is Utterson’s desire to help his friends he knows to be
in trouble. Many students have friends and
acquaintances struggling with addictions, unpopularity,
and family issues. By drawing these connections,
students will be able to relate to the love and genuine
concern that drives Mr. Utterson to spend the novel
trying to help his friend, Dr. Jekyll. This study also
provides and interesting comparison between the
behaviors of Mr. Utterson and Dr. Lanyon in helping
their mutual friend. Would Mr. Utterson have treated Dr. Jekyll differently if he had known about
his personal chemical experiments before he died? Students can relate to the different reactions
and reflect on their own relationships with their friends.
Another key feature of the book to which students can relate is the importance of
popularity. One of the central themes of the book focuses on Jekyll’s desire to save face in his
restrictive Victorian culture, but to still indulge in forbidden desires through the outlet of Mr.
Hyde. Students can examine Victorian society and compare it with constraints on their own
societies. This comparison helps students relate to the motivations and desires that fueled Dr.
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Jekyll’s experiments. It could also lead to an interesting creative writing project comparing
modern society to Victorian and finding ways to make human connections across centuries.
Vocabulary Issues
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written for the world in which it took place: Victorian England.
Most of the allusions and language would have made complete sense to any reader’s of Stevenson’s
day, but many have lost their popularity in modern language. There are some colloquialisms and
references that would need to be explained to students for them to truly understand.
This offers a unique study in the use of allusions and the importance of identifying and using
them to create effective writing. The novel also includes many vocabulary words that have gone
out of fashion; it may be helpful to provide students with a basic vocabulary sheet and definitions
to facilitate their reading and comprehension of the novel.
This novel also features many beautiful descriptive passages in which Stevenson uses the
senses to describe the settings in ways that make them clearer to the reader. These descriptive
passages set the tone for each section of the book. Students can use these passages to
understand the importance and construction of these descriptions and recognize their role in good
writing.
Background Knowledge
In order to draw important connections from Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde, many students will benefit from some important background
knowledge. Understand the basics of Victorian England, especially its
restrictive social society, sets an important framework for Jekyll’s
motivations and the study of one of the books central messages. This
would also help students understand the important omission of women
from the story and its meanings for the plot and characterization.
It could also be helpful for students to see and analyze some of
the traditional clothing styles and housing protocols of Victorian
England. This would enhance their understanding of the changes
between Jekyll and Hyde which Stevenson describes through a
comparison of their clothing, it would also help students understand why
Hyde even carried that all-important murder weapon; his cane.
Students should also review the influence of Darwin and his new ideas that many struggled
with. This would enhance the relationship between Lanyon and Jekyll and help students understand
the academic rift between the two friends.
Implications for Students of Diversity
This novel has absolutely no mention of ethnic (or even gender) diversity, but this provides a
unique opportunity for students to recognize the key elements of human nature that span culture
and race. It would be interesting for students to examine how Mr. Hyde presents himself in his
Victorian society and then study how he might act differently in different cultures. Students can
draw connections and comparisons asking what he might do in modern America that differ from his
actions in Victorian England.
Gender Issues
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This novel presents important gender issues with its complete omission of women from the
main conflict of the novel. This provides and opportunity for students to study the traditional role
of women in these novels (as the moral center or compass for male society) and its effect on the
characters and their actions. It also allows for a study of stereotypes as students examine the
minimal role of women as the stereotypical Victorian female, one prone to
fainting, worry, and general innocence.
The thorough absence of females from the story sets an interesting
moral tone for the book and creates a completely new book: one completely
devoid of a traditional love story. Students can understand this revolutionary
concept as so many contemporary novels depend on the emotional ties and
motivations of the love story to drive the book. It lays ground for more
modern texts that divorce themselves from the love story as well.
Research Issues / Project Ideas
Some key ideas for research issues center on the basic two-fold
nature of human character. This primary theme sets the scene for possible
compare/contrast papers between different characters and cultures.
Imagine Hyde – Students can reflect on the differences between Jekyll and Hyde, and recognize
the differences between the two. Then use the differences found to create a guess of what each
students’ own Mr. Hyde would look like. How would he differ from the students natural selves?
How would he look? Students can draw a picture, make a collage, use biopoems, write body
biographies, etc. to explain the primary differences and what they represent.
*Variation: Recognizing that Mr. Hyde represented all the evil in Jekyll, have students
locate context clues to examine the good traits of Dr. Jekyll. What would he have looked like if Mr.
Hyde had been all good instead of all bad? What would their own good version of Mr. Hyde look
like? Use the basic picture/collage idea to examine the differences.
What if? – What if any of the other characters had had access to Dr. Jekyll’s drug? Student’s can
choose another character and use context cues to determine whether that character would have
taken the drug. Then examine what their different versions of Mr. Hyde have done? Would they
have been worse or better than Dr. Jekyll’s Mr. Hyde? Students could use a variety of writing
genres or project ideas (letters, poems, narratives, dialogues) to demonstrate their ideas and this
assignment would provide a good presentation opportunity and multiple class discussions.
No Love Story – Students examine the absence of the traditional love story in Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde. After noting the differences between it and other, more traditional novels, students should
reflect on how the love story influences the plot and characterization of a previously studied work.
Students can use creative writing pieces, pictures, dioramas, videos, etc. to display how taking the
love story out of that other novel would impact the story.
Descriptive Passages – Stevenson includes many descriptive passages that provide an in depth study
of important qualities of good descriptive writing. However, some of the most compelling events of
the story are not told in such descriptive terms. Students can analyze the techniques used in
Stevenson’s passages and apply them in rewriting some of the more exciting pieces of the book,
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such as the murder of Sir Danvers, the initial transformation from Jekyll to Hyde, the trampling of
the young girl, etc.
Making Connections – Many students will be familiar with the best selling Harry Potter series by
J.K. Rowling, and the use of the Polyjuice potion. Students can compare the similarities and
differences between the potion and Dr. Jekyll’s drug (first introduced in the Second book of the
Harry Potter series) How can both be used for good or evil?
Enrichment Resources
Academic Article – Beauty and the Beast
Written by an eccentric host of a television show, this article, and the book from which it
comes, analyzes the double nature of humanity. It documents important evidence for both the good
and bad sides of human nature, and could provide a good introduction to the concept.
Donahue, Phil. The Human Animal. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985.
Song – I was Jekyll, Jekyll, Hyde
A song analyzing the differences and similarities between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that
students will remember and enjoy from the hit children’s show, Arthur.
Search Youtube for “I was Jekyll, Jekyll, Hyde” or follow the link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiB4dMwDFtg
Picture Book - The Wreck of the Zephyr
This story parallels the major theme of Promethean ambition, use of descriptive phrases,
foreshadowing, and frame story that are all important parts of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It can be a
good starting point for discussions of these literary devices.
Van Allsburg, Chris. The Wreck of the Zephyr. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1983.
Pictures Used
Poster http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde_poster.png
Angels - http://elvesatemyramen.deviantart.com/art/Tamaki-s-Shoulder-Angels-36966880
Victorian England http://www.shelbycs.org/ms/media%20center/victorian%20england/images/ludgate.jpg
Popularity - http://www.studentbeans.com/images/friends.png
Victorian Dress - http://images.complete-costumes.co.uk/fancy-dresscostume.php/i/507/t/0/n/Mens-Victorian-Edwardian-Evening-Tailcoat-Suit.jpg
Victorian Woman http://www.teaspirit.com/teabagladies/uploaded_images/lady_in_victorian_black_dress_having_te
a-759666.jpg
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