Year 10 - English
Introducing the Gothic in 'Jekyll and Hyde'
Jekyll & Hyde: duality and evil
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils complete their first reading and exploration of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. They read the novella in full, before thinking about the importance of the Gothic, science and religion. They then explore key characters and essay writing before writing about duality in the novella.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand how Stevenson conforms to, and subverts, Gothic conventions in 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
Key Notes
- Gothic fiction is fascinated by strange places, yet Stevenson sets his story in London.
- The figure of Hyde allows Stevenson to explore violent differences in power.
- Gothic writing often focuses on irrational or illicit desires; Stevenson conforms to this.
- The uncanny is a key idea within the Gothic and links to duality, but also the human/ inhuman appearance of Hyde.
- Hyde seems to have supernatural powers and strength, conforming to the conventions of the gothic villain.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Conform: To comply with certain rules, standards or laws.
- Subvert: To corrupt or undermine something. In literature, if you subvert something you undermine what is expected.
- Convention: The defining characteristics of a particular genre.
- Genre: A particular style or category of literature.
- Gothic: A genre of writing that is characterised by the inclusion of dark and supernatural elements.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' is a stereotypically 'Gothic' novella.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Gothic fiction is fascinated by strange places, yet Stevenson sets his story in London. The figure of Hyde allows Stevenson to explore violent differences in power.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Conform'
To comply with certain rules, standards or laws.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: 'Jekyll and Hyde' is a stereotypically 'Gothic' novella. Correction: Whilst certain elements of 'Jekyll and Hyde' do follow the conventions of the Gothic, others subvert it.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 1: Meeting Mr Utterson Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 1: The Story of The Door Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 10: Henry Jekyll's Full Statement of the Case Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 10: responding to Jekyll's confession Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 2: Search for Mr Hyde Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 5: Incident of the Letter Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 6: Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 7: Incident at the Window Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 8: The Last Night Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 9: Dr Lanyon's Narrative Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': Chapters 3 and 4 Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': developing analytical paragraphs about Mr. Hyde Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': duality as a theme in the novella Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Lanyon as a foil to Jekyll Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Mr. Hyde as a dangerous character Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Mr. Hyde as the embodiment of evil Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': examining the novella's structure Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': exploring duplicity in a model essay Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': exploring the duplicity of the upper class characters Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': planning a successful essay Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': refining written responses on duality Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': the importance of science and religion in the novella Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': writing about Jekyll's culpability in the novella Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': writing an analytical response about duality Study Guide
- 'Jekyll and Hyde': writing introductions and conclusions Study Guide
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