Year 10 - English
'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Lanyon as a foil to Jekyll
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 explain how Dr. Lanyon acts as a foil to Henry Jekyll.
Key Notes
- In literature, a foil is a contrasting character who highlights another's qualities or flaws.
- Lanyon acts as a foil to Jekyll in the novella.
- Lanyon represents the rational and reputable face of science, highlighting Jekyll's recklessness.
- Some argue that Lanyon represents Stevenson's own criticisms of unfettered scientific experimentation.
- Lanyon and Jekyll's conflict may represent the contemporary concerns about science.
Vocabulary To Learn
- foil: a character contrasting with the main character, highlighting differences
- protagonist: the main character in a story, often the hero
- reckless: acting without thinking, taking risks without considering consequences
- unfettered: free and unrestrained, not held back or restricted
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Stevenson was extremely critical of science.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
In literature, a foil is a contrasting character who highlights another's qualities or flaws. Lanyon acts as a foil to Jekyll in the novella.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'foil'
a character contrasting with the main character, highlighting differences.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Stevenson was extremely critical of science. Correction: Stevenson certainly plays on contemporary fears over unfettered scientific development. Whilst his novella could be seen as a criticism of this, the extent to which which Stevenson uses the text as his own personal criticism is arguable.
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 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
- Introducing the Gothic in 'Jekyll and Hyde' Study Guide
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