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Year 11 - English

'Jekyll and Hyde': progress versus primal instincts

'Jekyll & Hyde': the dark side of the Industrial Revolution

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' within the context of the Industrial Revolution. They first look at the importane of technology and industrialisation within the period and novella, before looking at the social consequences and implications of the Industrial Revolution.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explore how Stevenson reflects Victorian attitudes to morality in his depictions of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.

Key Notes

  • Victorian morality emphasised strict social codes, outward respectability, and repression of personal desires.
  • Public and private personas were vital: people publicly adhered to societal norms and hid immoral behaviour.
  • Jekyll is portrayed as well-liked and respected, whereas Hyde is presented as primitive, violent, and feared.
  • Contrasting language depicts them, reflecting Victorian anxieties about morality and the dark side of human nature.
  • There are subtle similarities between both Jekyll and Hyde, foreshadowing that they are two sides of the same person.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • façade: a deceptive outward appearance hiding a person's true feelings or character
  • debauchery: excessive indulgence in sensory pleasures, often associated with immoral or corrupt behaviour
  • Calvinism: a branch of Christianity emphasising discipline, hard work, self-denial and personal responsibility
  • primitive: relating to an early stage of human development; simple, uncivilised or basic
  • primal instincts: innate, fundamental urges or behaviours, often linked to survival and animalistic drives

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Most Victorians were religious people which meant that they behaved in a way that was morally good.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Victorian morality emphasised strict social codes, outward respectability, and repression of personal desires. Public and private personas were vital: people publicly adhered to societal norms and hid immoral behaviour.

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

a deceptive outward appearance hiding a person's true feelings or character.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Most Victorians were religious people which meant that they behaved in a way that was morally good. Correction: While most Victorians were religious and followed stict moral codes, they did so only in public. Behind clsosed doors, immoral and debaucherous behaviour was common.

More Lessons In This Unit

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