Theme of duplicity
Intro
Plot is heavily reliant on idea of duality and concept that “man is not truly one, but
truly two”
To show criticise the effect of breaking away from societal norms on Victorian men
Jekyll = good member of society, Hyde = externalisation of evil
Jekyll has a dark immoral side to his personality which is activated through his
experiments as Hyde
Shows duality in human nature and that everyone is capable of good and bad deeds
CONTEXTUAL: stems from scandal of Major Thomas Weir in 1800’s – pious respected
man, revealed that he committed immoral acts behind closed door and shocked
society to its core even most upright of men could lose control
Jekyll can’t control his inner desires and creates a separate ego – due to social
constraints and expectations of Victorian he’s scared to show true self
Behaviour deviating from norm would be frowned upon
Notable thing about Jekyll and duplicity is its psychological aspect
Hyde = evil looking dwarfed man, Jekyll = good-natured and respected
Polar opposites – Hyde takes over Jekyll suggests human condition is a repression of
dark urges which once released are impossible to put back into place Jekyll can’t
control Hyde
Even inanimate objects have duality
Affirms idea that duplicity is deeply rooted in society
Jekyll’s house: “a great air of wealth and comfort” with “gaunt and silent”, “dingy,
windowless structure” laboratory in the back = Hyde always on Jekyll’s mind
When Jekyll’s involved in scenes, the surroundings are described positively “glow of
autumn afternoons” whilst Hyde, weather is “foggy and dreary” pathetic fallacy
but even spiritual things in God’s power have duplicity
Minor characters reflect how everyone is society is affected by duplicity
Maid has “evil face smoothed by hypocrisy, but her manners were excellent” – ill-
feeling is hidden by politeness making her “two-faced”
Such traits reflect how everyone in society is affected by duplicity
Intro
Plot is heavily reliant on idea of duality and concept that “man is not truly one, but
truly two”
To show criticise the effect of breaking away from societal norms on Victorian men
Jekyll = good member of society, Hyde = externalisation of evil
Jekyll has a dark immoral side to his personality which is activated through his
experiments as Hyde
Shows duality in human nature and that everyone is capable of good and bad deeds
CONTEXTUAL: stems from scandal of Major Thomas Weir in 1800’s – pious respected
man, revealed that he committed immoral acts behind closed door and shocked
society to its core even most upright of men could lose control
Jekyll can’t control his inner desires and creates a separate ego – due to social
constraints and expectations of Victorian he’s scared to show true self
Behaviour deviating from norm would be frowned upon
Notable thing about Jekyll and duplicity is its psychological aspect
Hyde = evil looking dwarfed man, Jekyll = good-natured and respected
Polar opposites – Hyde takes over Jekyll suggests human condition is a repression of
dark urges which once released are impossible to put back into place Jekyll can’t
control Hyde
Even inanimate objects have duality
Affirms idea that duplicity is deeply rooted in society
Jekyll’s house: “a great air of wealth and comfort” with “gaunt and silent”, “dingy,
windowless structure” laboratory in the back = Hyde always on Jekyll’s mind
When Jekyll’s involved in scenes, the surroundings are described positively “glow of
autumn afternoons” whilst Hyde, weather is “foggy and dreary” pathetic fallacy
but even spiritual things in God’s power have duplicity
Minor characters reflect how everyone is society is affected by duplicity
Maid has “evil face smoothed by hypocrisy, but her manners were excellent” – ill-
feeling is hidden by politeness making her “two-faced”
Such traits reflect how everyone in society is affected by duplicity
