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Year 11 - English

Dr. Lanyon in 'Jekyll and Hyde': a curious character

Jekyll & Hyde: society as the villain

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore how the society the characters of 'Jekyll and Hyde' inhabit affects their interpretation of them. They first look at structure and the Gothic, before thinking carefully about how to use context. They then look at hypocrisy and write an essay about it in the novella.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to make links between the characterisation of Lanyon and Stevenson's key themes of hypocrisy and concealment.

Key Notes

  • Lanyon may seem like a foil to Jekyll, but ultimately he also succumbs to his curiosity
  • Lanyon and Jekyll have opposing scientific views: Lanyon more conventional, whereas Jekyll pushes boundaries
  • By including their two first person narratives at the end of the novella, Stevenson invites comparison between the men
  • Despite the tension between them, Lanyon continues to protect Jekyll's reputation until after his death
  • Lanyon makes an active choice to witness Hyde's transformation, suggesting that he shares in the blame for his death

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Foil: In literature, a foil is a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight or accentuate some aspect of the main character.
  • Pedant: A pedant is someone who is excessively concerned with minor details.
  • Rational: If something is based on reason or logic then it is rational.
  • Complicity: Complicity is when someone is involved in an activity with others that is unlawful or morally wrong.
  • Concealment: If you are hiding something or preventing it being known, this is known as concealment.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Whether Dr. Lanyon being a foil for Dr. Jekyll is a straightforward answer.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Lanyon may seem like a foil to Jekyll, but ultimately he also succumbs to his curiosity. Lanyon and Jekyll have opposing scientific views: Lanyon more conventional, whereas Jekyll pushes boundaries.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Foil'

In literature, a foil is a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight or accentuate some aspect of the main character.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Whether Dr. Lanyon being a foil for Dr. Jekyll is a straightforward answer. Correction: Whether Lanyon is a foil for Jekyll is debatable. They have clear differences (e.g. scientific views) but similarities too (curiosity).

More Lessons In This Unit

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