Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Themes:
● Duality
● Good vs Evil
● Reputation and Secrecy
● Science and Religion
● Friendship and Bachelorhood
● Violence
Duality: idea that there is good and bad in everyone. One side wants to control the desires whilst the other side
wants to follow it. Jekyll uses science to separate these two sides. Jekyll and Hyde are the physical manifestation of
this duality. Jekyll finds it hard to sustain the evil side and wants to release the evil side without facing
consequences and ruining his reputation. Explored through symbols of doors; Jekyll’s door reflects wealth and
goodness whilst Hyde’s door reflects sin and evil. They are within the same building but show different sides to it.
Jekyll uses the front of the house that is presented as pleasant and respectable whilst Hyde uses the back of the
house which is secretive, neglected and dirty. The theme is also found in Jekyll’s cane stick. It is a symbol of
respect and wealth but Hyde uses it as a murder weapon. The setting of the novel reveals two opposite sides of
London. The poor areas in Soho and the areas where respectable and wealthy people live.
Quotes Analysis
“Man is not truly one but truly two.” Jekyll is fully aware of the dual nature of humans and
has accepted it as a reality. Truly suggests he has no
doubt.
"The provinces of good and evil that compound man's Good and evil come together to make up a whole
dual nature." human.
“All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled Jekyll believes no human is entirely good or entirely evil.
out of good and evil.” Commingled suggests there is a mix of both. He
believes accepting both sides leads to peace initially.
The verb also highlights that there is a closeness
between the two.
“I learned to recognise the primitive duality of man.” Primitive shows he believes the duality is naturally found
within the human.
"Large, handsome face" and "Pale and dwarfish." Descriptions of the same man but are juxtaposing each
other.
“Dusty, dreary and somehow loveable.” Utterson is described to be unpleasant to an extent but
he is still loved due to his other characteristics.
“Wore a great air of wealth and comfort.” Contrast between the descriptions of the doors to Jekyll
‘’Blistered and disdained’’ and Hyde’s houses. They reflect their owners'
personalities.
“This too was myself” Jekyll accepts Hyde as his self in a different version.
● Duality
● Good vs Evil
● Reputation and Secrecy
● Science and Religion
● Friendship and Bachelorhood
● Violence
Duality: idea that there is good and bad in everyone. One side wants to control the desires whilst the other side
wants to follow it. Jekyll uses science to separate these two sides. Jekyll and Hyde are the physical manifestation of
this duality. Jekyll finds it hard to sustain the evil side and wants to release the evil side without facing
consequences and ruining his reputation. Explored through symbols of doors; Jekyll’s door reflects wealth and
goodness whilst Hyde’s door reflects sin and evil. They are within the same building but show different sides to it.
Jekyll uses the front of the house that is presented as pleasant and respectable whilst Hyde uses the back of the
house which is secretive, neglected and dirty. The theme is also found in Jekyll’s cane stick. It is a symbol of
respect and wealth but Hyde uses it as a murder weapon. The setting of the novel reveals two opposite sides of
London. The poor areas in Soho and the areas where respectable and wealthy people live.
Quotes Analysis
“Man is not truly one but truly two.” Jekyll is fully aware of the dual nature of humans and
has accepted it as a reality. Truly suggests he has no
doubt.
"The provinces of good and evil that compound man's Good and evil come together to make up a whole
dual nature." human.
“All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled Jekyll believes no human is entirely good or entirely evil.
out of good and evil.” Commingled suggests there is a mix of both. He
believes accepting both sides leads to peace initially.
The verb also highlights that there is a closeness
between the two.
“I learned to recognise the primitive duality of man.” Primitive shows he believes the duality is naturally found
within the human.
"Large, handsome face" and "Pale and dwarfish." Descriptions of the same man but are juxtaposing each
other.
“Dusty, dreary and somehow loveable.” Utterson is described to be unpleasant to an extent but
he is still loved due to his other characteristics.
“Wore a great air of wealth and comfort.” Contrast between the descriptions of the doors to Jekyll
‘’Blistered and disdained’’ and Hyde’s houses. They reflect their owners'
personalities.
“This too was myself” Jekyll accepts Hyde as his self in a different version.
