Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Characterisation and Quotes

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Characterisation and Quotes

1. Dr Jekyll

   • 'a well-made, smooth faced man of fifty
     • Implies that Dr Jekyll is a good-looking man, who is well respected among his associates and represents a typical Victorian gentleman
   • 'but every mark of capacity and human kindness'
     • Suggests that Jekyll has an excellent reputation and is extremely considerate and thoughtful
       • This is the polar opposite of his alternate personality, Mr Hyde
   • 'his own tastes being rather chemical than anatomical'
     • Dr Jekyll is not interested in medical professions such as surgery and is fascinated by chemistry and pharmacology behind medicine
       • This was not a typical Victorian doctor's beliefs, and was believed to be exploring the supernatural and was often frowned upon by traditional Victorian physicians, such as Dr Lanyon

2. Mr Hyde

   • 'snarled into a savage laugh'
     • 'Snarled' implies that Hyde is like a predator, who will go to any lengths to catch his prey
     • 'savage' implies that Hyde is a violent man, like that of a primal being
       • SUch primal beings had animalistic instincts and their sole purpose was to survive
   • something displeasing, something downright detestable
     • 'Something' implies that Enfield was aware that Hyde was a malicious man, when he observed him, but he could not tell Utterson what the detail was
     • 'Detestable' illustrates the level of resentment that Enfield felt towards Utterson, even though he had never met or seen him before
   • 'if ever I read Satan's signature upon a face'
     • By comparing Hyde to Satan, Stevenson is implying that Hyde is incapable of feeling compassion or sympathy towards others
       • He only feels hatred and bitter resentment and should not be worthy of the reader's sympathy
   • 'some damned Juggernaut'
     • By comparing Hyde to Satan, Stevenson is implying that Hyde is a human being is incapable of feeling compassion or sympathy towards others
       • Hyde only feels hatred and bitter resentment
   • 'trampled calmly'