jekyll and hyde model essays

Planning a successful 'Jekyll and Hyde' essay

I can plan an essay response, showing a clear understanding of key terms which structure a successful plan.

Lesson details

Key learning points.

• Annotate an essay question so you know its focus.
• A successful plan follows a clear structure.
• A thesis is a clear overarching argument supported by the whole text.
• Topic sentences state a paragraph’s main idea.
• Concluding sentences focus on the writer’s intentions and link to your topic sentence, without repeating it.

Common misconception

Concluding sentences are the same as conclusions.

Concluding sentences conclude a single paragraph. Conclusions come at the end of a full essay.

Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text

Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph - it states the paragraph’s main idea

Concluding sentence - the final sentence of a paragraph - it comes to a conclusion about the main idea, focusing on writer’s intentions

Main quotations - quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis

Supporting quotations - quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis

Content guidance

• Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested.

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Starter quiz

6 questions.

introduction

topic sentence -  

at the start of each analytical paragrap

main quotation -  

at least once in every analytical paragraph

supporting quotation -  

as much as required in analytical paragraphs

concluding sentence -  

at the end of each analytical paragraph

overarching argument to an essay, supported by whole text

states the paragraph's main idea

comes to a conclusion about the paragraph's main idea

main quotations -  

quotations which require analysis

supporting quotations -  

quotations that don't require analysis

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Themes ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

Exam responses that are led by ideas are more likely to reach the highest levels of the mark scheme. Exploring the ideas of the text, specifically in relation to the question being asked, will help to increase your fluency and assurance in writing about the novella.

Below are some ideas which could be explored in the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to identify other ideas within the novella.

Good and Evil

Secrecy and reputation, science and religion.

Knowledge and evidence:

• Hyde appears in the narrative before Jekyll which reinforces the reader’s perception that he is a separate entity  rather than merely the alter-ego of Jekyll
• Jekyll admits in the final chapter of the novella, that without Hyde, Jekyll lives a life of “profound duplicity”
• Jekyll is not simply portrayed as a purely good character, which reinforces Stevenson’s idea that human nature itself is both complex and multifaceted
• He wishes to be a respected doctor adhering to the highest moral standards. However, he also yearns to engage in malevolent  acts
• Stevenson presents the city of London with contrasting descriptions where affluent streets exist next to areas of degradation  and poverty
• Stevenson presents the door at the front as having a “great air of wealth and comfort” leading to the reputable Jekyll; while the door at the back, which has an impression of “sordid negligence” leads to the repungant  Hyde
• Stevenson uses this to comment on the deceptive outward appearance of upper Victorian society
• Utterson is described as a man having “a rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile”, but also a man of “soundness of mind and ease of manner”
• Stevenson hints that Enfield has all the exterior of a gentleman, though may also have sinister secrets of his own
• By the end of the novella, Jekyll acknowledges "the thorough and primitive duality of man"
• Stevenson continually uses contrasts to further underscore the aspect of duality throughout the novella: for example, rich/poor; light/dark; honesty/secrecy; night/day; inside/outside; respectability/ notoriety

What is Stevenson’s intention?

• Stevenson is concerned about the duality of human nature and society in general and considers the idea that everyone is capable of good and evil deeds
• Stevenson may also have used the dualities in the novella to reflect a society rapidly moving from the past into a new modern world

The theme of good and evil is closely linked to ideas about duality. Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement  of evil within the novella.

• In Jekyll’s view, “man is not truly one, but truly two” and while he is aware of his good side, he also acknowledges there is evil within him
• Stevenson aims to highlight this idea of an innate  duality and the implications of giving in to one’s own evil side
• He invokes terror in other characters and again this may hint at the possibility of the inner evil and depraved  nature that resides within each person
• Both of Hyde’s victims are presented as innocent and vulnerable which elicits sympathy from the reader and makes them horrified at the wickedness of Hyde’s actions
• The imagery associated with Carew is linked to lightness and innocence: for example, “an aged and beautiful gentleman with white hair” while Hyde is depicted as having an “ape-like fury”
• Stevenson’s deliberate use of animal imagery is used to suggest Hyde’s separateness from human society and his unrestricted nature
• Stevenson associates Hyde with Christian ideas about Hell and Satan and Jekyll repeatedly refers to him as “my devil”
• This lack of a clear definition of evil in the novella makes it appear more pervasive and more terrifying
• Stevenson presents good and evil as a constant duality throughout the novel and portrays it as a natural facet of the individual, which results in an ongoing battle between the two
• Stevenson proposes that the inherent evil aspect of man is merely suppressed by society and he attempts to explore the consequences of attempting to separate one from the other

Stevenson’s narrative explores the uncovering of Jekyll’s secret and the mystery of Hyde’s actions and identity. Other characters also display hints of secretive behaviour and the lengths they are determined to go to in order to preserve and protect their reputation and those of others.

• The deepest secret in the novella is the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde which Stevenson uses to create tension and suspense
• Underneath this veneer of respectability, Jekyll retains his dark secret, for if exposed to society, it would result in his utter ruination  
• This heightens the sense of secrecy and suspicion within the novella, as characters withhold information in order to protect their reputation or the reputation of others 
• As a character, Utterson attempts to only do good though he desperately tries to avert any form of scandal which could impair Jekyll’s reputation
• For example, when he suspects Hyde’s letter has been forged or believes Jekyll is hiding Hyde, he keeps it a secret in order to shield Jekyll from any public disgrace
• Further, Utterson is motivated to maintain the appearance of respectability and propriety even though he is aware of the depravity  of Hyde’s actions
• Even at the conclusion of the novella, Utterson remains steadfast in his belief that Jekyll’s reputation must be upheld: for example, “I would say nothing of this paper. If your master has fled or is dead, we may at least save his credit”
• In Chapter I, “The Story of the Door” Stevenson uses the door and lock to suggest how it can prevent the true nature of a person from being revealed
• For example, “The door was very strong, the lock was excellent” underscores how deeply hidden and protected Jekyll’s secret appears to be that it cannot be easily penetrated
• Further, pathetic fallacy  and the descriptions of the fog are used to create an atmosphere of concealment
• Stevenson conveys how reputation is based merely on one’s appearance to society, rather than one’s actual conduct and this leads to ideas about hypocrisy
• Stevenson demonstrates the extent to which the characters place reputation and respectability above responsibility

As science was considered new and unpredictable in the Victorian period, this led to increased anxieties about it. Stevenson uses the Victorians’ fear and uncertainty of science to make Jekyll’s experiment appear more frightening to his readership. 

• Victorian concerns about the progress of science makes Jekyll’s experiment even more terrifying as they would have feared his experiment might have been possible 
• His motivation for creating Hyde demonstrates his ability to question societal beliefs about science and religion
• Lanyon is a respectable and conventional scientist and stands in contrast to Jekyll, as he views Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and describes them as “scientific balderdash”
• Stevenson does so in order to depict how repulsed Lanyon is about Jekyll’s experiments, as he distances himself completely from his former friend
• Lanyon is unable to reconcile his opposition to Jekyll’s experiments and as a result, their friendship ceases to exist
• Stevenson positions Lanyon as the only character to witness Jekyll’s transformation, as his belief in the laws of science does not enable him to comprehend what he has witnessed: for example, he states “My life is shaken to its roots"
• Lanyon’s shock at Jekyll’s experiment is so great that it leads to his own physical and mental deterioration and subsequent death
• Stevenson presents Utterson as a highly moral and devout Christian and he is depicted as a model Victorian gentleman:
• He is described as being “austere with himself” and that he restricts his pleasures: for example, he enjoys attending the theatre though had not frequented one for twenty years, due to their somewhat poor reputation
• Jekyll could be viewed as using science to access the supernatural and could be viewed as ‘playing God’ by interfering with it
• Carew’s world of tradition, politeness and decorum could be seen to be under threat by Jekyll’s scientific experiments and its alignment with modernity
• Stevenson could be viewed critiquing the dangers of science 
• Alternatively, Stevenson could also be suggesting that repressing natural urges and instincts will eventually lead to harm and injury

It is crucial that you develop the skills to find your own ideas and arrive at your own meanings and interpretations to the text. Try to take a more exploratory and discursive approach to your reading of the novella as the examiner will reward you highly for this approach. For instance, you could begin to develop your own interpretations by using sentence starters such as: ‘Stevenson may have used the character of Hyde to highlight ideas about …’

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Author: Nick

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — Duality in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”

Analysis of Jekyll and Hyde Duality in Stevenson's Novel

• Categories: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

About this sample

Words: 2426 |

13 min read

Published: Jul 17, 2018

Words: 2426 | Pages: 5 | 13 min read

• Edley, N., & Wetherell, M. (2001). Jekyll and Hyde: Men's constructions of feminism and feminists. Feminism & Psychology, 11(4), 439-457. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0959353501011004002)
• Doane, J., & Hodges, D. (1989, October). Demonic Disturbances of Sexual Identity: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr/s Hyde. In NOVEL: a Forum on Fiction (Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 63-74). Duke University Press.(https://www.jstor.org/stable/1345579)
• Rose, B. A. (1996). Jekyll and Hyde Adapted: Dramatizations of Cultural Anxiety (No. 66). Greenwood Publishing Group. (https://www.worldcat.org/title/jekyll-and-hyde-adapted-dramatizations-of-cultural-anxiety/oclc/32921958)
• Becchio, C., Sartori, L., Bulgheroni, M., & Castiello, U. (2008). The case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: a kinematic study on social intention. Consciousness and cognition, 17(3), 557-564. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810007000207)
• Lacey, N. (2010). Psychologising Jekyll, demonising Hyde: The strange case of criminal responsibility. Criminal Law and Philosophy, 4, 109-133. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11572-010-9091-8)

Should follow an “upside down” triangle format, meaning, the writer should start off broad and introduce the text and author or topic being discussed, and then get more specific to the thesis statement.

Cornerstone of the essay, presenting the central argument that will be elaborated upon and supported with evidence and analysis throughout the rest of the paper.

The topic sentence serves as the main point or focus of a paragraph in an essay, summarizing the key idea that will be discussed in that paragraph.

The body of each paragraph builds an argument in support of the topic sentence, citing information from sources as evidence.

After each piece of evidence is provided, the author should explain HOW and WHY the evidence supports the claim.

Should follow a right side up triangle format, meaning, specifics should be mentioned first such as restating the thesis, and then get more broad about the topic at hand. Lastly, leave the reader with something to think about and ponder once they are done reading.

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Jekyll and hyde sample essay.

Starting with this extract (start of chapter 4), how does Stevenson present moments of horror in Jekyll and Hyde?

At the beginning of the extract, taken from the ‘Last Night’ Hyde is lurking in the cabinet in a hope he will not be found by Poole and Utterson. Stevenson describes how “a dismal screech as of mere animal terror” rang through the cabinet as Hyde can hear the two men breaking in. The verb “screech” conveys the fear of Hyde as he is about to be discovered in the cabinet and the comparison of the “screech” to an “animal” may horrify the reader as it reinforces that Hyde is animalistic and inhuman, which builds tension as the reader ponders what Hyde may have unleashed inside the cabinet. Moreover the “animal terror” reinforces the vulnerability of Hyde and may create a sense of horror in the reader as they feel sympathy for the masked Hyde who is being compared to a vulnerable animal. A Victorian reader may also feel revolted that the respectable Jekyll is hiding Hyde, who is being hunted for the murder of Sir Danvers Carew as Jekyll is supposed to be a respectable doctor and Stevenson is suggesting that gentlemen in this era have two sides: a public and a private side hidden from society. This may link to Freud’s theory of personality that our ‘id,’ is animalistic and is caged by society yet still lurks within.

In the extract Stevenson also presents the discovery of Hyde’s body as a horrific moment as he describes Hyde’s body as “sorely contorted and still twitching.” The adjective “contorted” suggests that the suicide has been painful and that Hyde’s body has been distorted out of its usual shape. It may also suggest a struggle between Jekyll and Hyde as Hyde over powers Jekyll and commits suicide, killing them both. The verb “twitching” suggests that Jekyll is still partially alive and creates a grotesque image of Hyde’s body still having “some semblance of life.”   This may provoke disgust and revulsion in the reader as Hyde’s body is presented as slowly perishing in a painful fashion. Stevenson successfully conveys the horror of the discovery of Hyde’s body and conveys Hyde’s death as painful and revolting. We are also told that Hyde’s body is the body of a “self-destroyer” which would further shock the Victorian reader as suicide is considered a sin by Christians and they would therefore believe Hyde would be condemned to hell for all of his sinful actions.

Furthermore, Hyde is described as “wearing clothes far too large for him” and he suggests the clothes were “of the doctor’s bigness.” The juxtaposition between “the face of Edward Hyde” and his wearing Jekyll’s clothes foreshadows the discovery in Chapter 9 that they are the same person. Some readers in this chapter may therefore realise that they are the same person which would create a feeling of horror in the reader as we have previously witnessed Hyde killing Carew with “ape-like fury” in chapter 4 and now realise that Jekyll knew and therefore is partially responsible. The Victorian reader would feel a sense of shock that the once respectable Dr Jekyll is in fact Hyde, and would feel revulsion he is capable of murder. This would be particularly unsettling to a Victorian reader who would most likely believe that humans were created by God so this presentation of Jekyll’s dual nature would leave them concerned and confused. Stevenson uses moments of horror to provoke a sense of fear and outrage in the reader, but also to perhaps highlight how civilisation cages the beast within us all.

Stevenson establishes scenes to create horror throughout the novella as a whole. This can be seen in ‘The Story of the Door’ when Hyde ‘trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming.’ The juxtaposition between the verb ‘trampled’ and the adverb ‘calmly’ aids in conveying a sense of horror. Not only is Hyde able to commit this revolting and violent act, but he is able to do it in a ‘calm’ manner. This lack of remorse and repentance would have been especially disturbing to a Victorian readership – adhering to strict moral guidelines, they would have been repulsed and horrified by Hyde’s lack of morality. Furthermore, the girl was left ‘screaming’. This verb only adds to the horror of the incident as it allows the readers to understand the brutality of the act. The readers would therefore be horrified by the cruelty of the actions of Hyde and appalled by his lack of penitence.

Moreover, later in the novella Hyde kills Sir Danvers Carew with ‘ape-like fury’. Carew is described as a ‘beautiful’ man with ‘white’ hair who ‘bowed’ to Hyde. This gives the readers the idea that Carew is an innocent and reputable member of Victorian society. Hyde treats this man with callousness and disdain breaking out into ‘a great flame of anger’. The use of this metaphor implies that Hyde is a mercurial character whose actions are unexpected and frightening. Additionally, Hyde is compared to an ‘ape’. A Victorian readership would have been shocked by this comparison as Darwin had just published his Theory of Evolution stating that men evolved from primitive life forms. Within this, Darwin also acknowledged that people could revert to a more animalistic state. Therefore the comparison of Hyde to a more ‘troglodytic’ life form seems to imply that devolution was a sincere possibility, further instilling a sense of horror into the readers. The contrast between Hyde’s treatment of Carew and Carew’s personal characteristics seem to heighten the horror of the passage and leave the readers feeling shaken by this unprompted outburst.

Finally, Hyde’s transformation into Dr Jekyll in Dr Lanyon’s Narrative, is described in a horrifying manner. Hyde’s features become ‘suddenly black’ and his features ‘melt and alter’. The adjective ‘black’ evokes ideas of evil and darkness and creates a sense of foreboding. The verb ‘melt’ conjures a disturbing image in the readers’ minds – the physical deformity that Hyde is always described with worsens and further distorts, creating a petrifying image. The transformation causes Lanyon’s ‘mind’ to be ‘submerged in terror’. This metaphor could imply that Lanyon is drowning in fear from the horror of what he has just seen. This transformation causes Lanyon’s death from ‘shock’ and the readers are also horrified by what they have witnessed.

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EXEMPLAR ESSAY on UTTERSON in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' NEW 9-1 GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

13 April 2022

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This resource is a model essay answering the following question: How is Utterson presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’?

The essay response in this resource covers all aspects needed for a grade 8/9 answer. More specifically, Textual References, Language, Form & Structure and Context.

It is targeted at students sitting the new 9-1 GCSE English Literature Exam. Teachers are encouraged to purchase this resource so that they can show their students an exemplar answer to analyse and obtain ideas from.

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DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE ESSAYS ON ALL CHARACTERS. NEW 9-1 GCSE ENG LIT

This bundle resource includes essays answering the following questions: How is Hyde presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? How is Jekyll presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? How is Lanyon presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? How is Utterson presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? ** Each essay is worth 40 marks and this resource is targeted at students sitting the 9-1 GCSE English Literature Exam. Teachers are encouraged to purchase this resource so that they can show their students an exemplar answer to analyse and obtain ideas from. All essay responses in this resource cover all aspects needed for grade 8/9 answers. More specifically, (Textual References), (Language, Form & Structure) and (Context).

DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE ESSAYS ON ALL CHARACTERS, THEMES, SETTING + TENSION. NEW 9-1 GCSE ENG LIT

This bundle resource includes essays answering the following questions: * How is Hyde presented in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'? * How is Jekyll presented in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'? * How is Lanyon presented in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'? * How is Utterson presented in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'? * How is the theme of appearance vs reality presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? * How is the theme of duality presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? * How is the theme of good vs evil presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? * How is the theme of science presented in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’? * Write about how setting is used to create suspense and tension in 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.' * Write about how tension is created at different points in the novel, 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.' ** Each essay is worth 40 marks and this resource is targeted at students sitting the 9-1 GCSE English Literature Exam. Teachers are encouraged to purchase this resource so that they can show their students an exemplar answer to analyse and obtain ideas from. All essay responses in this resource cover all aspects needed for grade 8/9 answers. More specifically, (Textual References), (Language, Form & Structure) and (Context).

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