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.
   • Determined
     • Dr Jekyll is determined as he wants his experiment to succeed. He is so determined that he risks losing everything in order for him to succeed - his friendships, reputation and wealth.
       • "I do sincerely take a great, a very great interest in that young man."
         • The repetition of 'great' emphasises how determined Jekyll is and illustrates how he feels about Mr Hyde. The use of 'sincerely' shows that his determination and passion are real.
   • Respected
     • Dr Jekyll is respected due to his wealth, reputation as a charitable man and his discoveries in science.
       • "The doctor gave one of his pleasant dinners to some five or six old cronies, all intelligent reputable men, and all judges of good wine."
         • This shows that he is well-liked and respected in the society of Victorian London. As all of the men are judges of 'good wine', it indicates to the reader their wealth and respectability.
   • Intelligent
     • Dr Jekyll is intelligent due to his innovative experiments which are perceived by some others as worldly and un-godly, particularly by the conventional scientist, Dr Lanyon.
       • Henry Jekyll, M.D., D.C.L., LL.D., F.RS., etc.
         • The titles that are attached to Dr Jekyll's name highlight his intelligence, as he has many degrees and qualifications. The use of 'etc.' suggests there are more.
   • Erratic
     • Dr Jekyll becomes more erratic as the novel develops. This is because he is trying to conceal Mr Hyde from everyone. He's also trying to control his experiment, but failing.
       • "...before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentleman below."
         • This highlights the change in Dr Jekyll's behaviour, as before this quotation, Dr Jekyll was happily talking to Mr Utterson. However, Stevenson describes a sudden change in Dr Jekyll's behaviour. The word 'struck' shows that Hyde's appearance has changed Dr Jekyll's behaviour instantly.

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.
   • Ugly
     • He is described as ugly and Stevenson suggests he has the face of Satan. Everybody Hyde meets in the novel is afflicted with his 'nightmarish' appearance.
       • "There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man so disliked."
         • This quote from Enfield shows that he is greatly appalled and disgusted by Hyde's appearance, suggesting that he is other-worldly and doesn't belong in the reputable society of Victorian London. The repetition of 'something' exaggerates how deformed Hyde is, as Enfield can't quite put his finger on it.
   • Murderous
     • Hyde murders Carew and tramples on a little girl causing her legs to break.
       • ...with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot, and hailing down a storm of blows.
         • The use of the simile 'ape-like fury' describes Hyde as an animal capable of rages, not a human. This shows that Hyde doesn't care about his actions and has no control over his fiery, animalistic behaviour.
   • Powerful
     • Towards the end of the book, Hyde becomes the dominant side to Dr Jekyll's personality. Each time Dr Jekyll turns into Mr Hyde, Mr Hyde gets stronger and makes it more difficult for Dr Jekyll to turn to his 'original' self.
       • "It took on this occasion a double dose to recall me to myself; and alas!"
         • This shows that Mr Hyde is getting stronger, as Dr Jekyll needs to use more drugs to return to his former self. The use of the exclamation mark suggests that this surprises and also scares Jekyll as he is unsure and wary of Hyde's power.