Starting with this extract, how does Stevenson present Mr Hyde as a frightening outsider
(30 marks)
Thesis:
1. hypocrisy of middle-class men
2. dangers of repression + suppression of homosexual desires
3. why society needs a rebirth - Fin De Siecle - due to the devolution of society
Paragraph 1:
● Stevenson presents Hyde as a product of Victorian London’s prejudice - “chief of
sinners” - superlative
● Stevenson employs Hyde as a social construct to portray the degradation of societal
values - generates terror within the reader - reflects the middle-class reader
● Stevenson was an atheist - but understood the importance of religion - book is semi-
autobiographical - middle-class readership is exposed to the dangers of abandoning
religious principles
● Stevenson mocks the middle-class - shows the similarities between them + Hyde -
who’s the ‘other’ + highlights their hypocrisy
- Hyde is viewed as horrific for not wanting to be abused by Sir Danvers Carew
who was accosting Hyde + forcing Hyde to perform sexual deeds is described
as “old-world kindness of disposition”
● Motif of glass - readers can actually look within themselves - humanity isn’t binary
- “Hyde would pass away like a stain of breath upon a mirror” - simile
● AO3 - existentialism - second tenant states 'existence precede essence’ - gain morals
by living and not through our nature
Paragraph 2:
● Stevenson highlights the dangers of Christian morals - lead to suppression - forces
people to constrain themselves to extreme religious expectations - which they are
unable to uphold
- Stevenson alludes to his book ‘Chapter of Dreams’ where he exposes his
deviant thoughts - form of self-harm - leaving himself open to criticism +
shunning from society
(30 marks)
Thesis:
1. hypocrisy of middle-class men
2. dangers of repression + suppression of homosexual desires
3. why society needs a rebirth - Fin De Siecle - due to the devolution of society
Paragraph 1:
● Stevenson presents Hyde as a product of Victorian London’s prejudice - “chief of
sinners” - superlative
● Stevenson employs Hyde as a social construct to portray the degradation of societal
values - generates terror within the reader - reflects the middle-class reader
● Stevenson was an atheist - but understood the importance of religion - book is semi-
autobiographical - middle-class readership is exposed to the dangers of abandoning
religious principles
● Stevenson mocks the middle-class - shows the similarities between them + Hyde -
who’s the ‘other’ + highlights their hypocrisy
- Hyde is viewed as horrific for not wanting to be abused by Sir Danvers Carew
who was accosting Hyde + forcing Hyde to perform sexual deeds is described
as “old-world kindness of disposition”
● Motif of glass - readers can actually look within themselves - humanity isn’t binary
- “Hyde would pass away like a stain of breath upon a mirror” - simile
● AO3 - existentialism - second tenant states 'existence precede essence’ - gain morals
by living and not through our nature
Paragraph 2:
● Stevenson highlights the dangers of Christian morals - lead to suppression - forces
people to constrain themselves to extreme religious expectations - which they are
unable to uphold
- Stevenson alludes to his book ‘Chapter of Dreams’ where he exposes his
deviant thoughts - form of self-harm - leaving himself open to criticism +
shunning from society
