Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Key Quotations (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Remember the assessment objectives explicitly state that you should be able to “use textual references, including quotations”. This means summarising, paraphrasing, referencing single words and referencing plot events are all as valid as quotations in demonstrating that you understand the text. It is important that you remember that you can evidence your knowledge of the text in these two equally valid ways: both through references to it and direct quotations from it. 

Overall, you should aim to secure a strong knowledge of the text, rather than rehearsed quotations, as this will enable you to respond to the question. It is the quality of your knowledge of the text which will enable you to select references effectively.

If you are going to revise quotations, the best way is to group them by character, or theme. Below you will find definitions and analysis of the best quotations, arranged by the following themes:

• Duality

• Good and Evil

• Secrecy and Reputation

• Science and Religion

Duality

The theme of duality is one of the most prevalent themes in the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Although the theme does not become fully evident to the reader until the final chapter, Stevenson presents clues and references to this duality throughout the narrative.

 “man is not truly one, but truly two” – Jekyll, Chapter X

Meaning and context

• In the final chapter of the novella, Jekyll considers the duality of man, which is revealed in his letter

Analysis

• Stevenson presents the theme of duality primarily in the character of Jekyll as his inner sinister desires and his outward respectable persona are in conflict with each other, leading to his creation of Hyde

• Stevenson is concerned about the duality of human nature and society in general and considers the idea that everyone is capable of good and evil deeds

Good and Evil

The theme of good and evil is closely linked to ideas about duality. Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement of evil within the novella.

“My devil had long been caged; he came out roaring” – Jekyll, Chapter X

Meaning and context

• In the final chapter, Jekyll considers the duality of man, which is revealed in his letter

Analysis

• Stevenson associates Hyde with Christian ideas about Hell and Satan and Jekyll repeatedly refers to him as “my devil”

• Hyde’s sinister presence and actions are a constant reminder of the power of evil throughout the novella

• He invokes terror in other characters and again this may hint at the possibility of the inner evil and depraved nature that resides within each person

“all human beings … are commingled out of good and evil” – Jekyll, Chapter X

Meaning and context

• In this quote, Jekyll reveals the duality of good and evil in all human beings

Knowledge and evidence:

• Stevenson explores the tension which exists between good and evil and presents the temptation and allurement of evil within the novella

• Jekyll believes that it is the “curse of mankind” that good and evil are bound together within him and the two parts are in direct conflict with one another

Secrecy and Reputation

Stevenson’s narrative explores the uncovering of Jekyll’s secret and the mystery of Hyde’s actions and identity. Other characters also display hints of secretive behaviour and the lengths they are determined to go to in order to preserve and protect their reputation and those of others. 

“Though he enjoyed the theatre, [Mr Utterson] had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years” – Narrator, Chapter I

Meaning and context

• This quote is from Chapter I of the novella and describes the character of Utterson

Analysis

• Stevenson presents Utterson as a highly moral and devout Christian and he is depicted as a model Victorian gentleman

• He is described as being “austere with himself” and that he restricting his pleasures and even though he enjoys attending the theatre, he had not frequented one for twenty years, due to their somewhat poor reputation

• This quote suggests that Utterson has repressed his desire for theatre as perhaps the enjoyment of theatre may lead him to sinful thoughts

“something eminently human beaconed in his eye”- Narrator, Chapter I

Meaning and context

• This quote is from Chapter I of the novella and describes the character of Utterson

Analysis

• Gabriel Utterson is presented as having “an approved tolerance for others” and Stevenson suggests he is a kind and genial character

• Stevenson presents Utterson as a respectable lawyer and as a trustworthy, discreet and loyal friend to Jekyll

• He is presented as both rational and calm and through his objective perspective, Stevenson enables the reader to judge the evidence alongside him

Science and Religion

As science was considered new and unpredictable in the Victorian period, this led to increased anxieties about it. Stevenson uses the Victorians’ fear and uncertainty of science to make Jekyll’s experiment appear more frightening to his readership. 

Paired Quotation

“My Hyde was pale and dwarfish, he gave an impression of deformity” – Narrator, Chapter II

“And next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot” Narrator, Chapter IV

Meaning and context

• Both of these quotes describe the character of Hyde to the reader

Analysis

• Hyde is described throughout in terms of animalistic imagery which increases as the novella develops: “savage”, “snarled”,  “with ape-like fury” and “hardly human” all allude to his aggressive, predatory and primitive nature

• Stevenson’s deliberate use of animal imagery is used to suggest Hyde’s separateness from human society and his unrestrained nature

• It could also be an allusion to Charles Darwin’s ideas about evolution:

  • That human being are descended from apes

• Stevenson suggests that “he gives a strong feeling of deformity” though he does not specify what this deformity is 

• This casts an uncertainty as to Hyde’s character and also hints at a supernatural element as the descriptions of him are quite ambiguous

Paired Quotation

“My life is shaken to its roots" – Lanyon, Chapter IX

and 

"I ask myself if I believe it, and I cannot answer” – Lanyon, Chapter IX

Meaning and context

• This quote appears in Lanyon’s letter which Utterson reads in Chapter IX and it reveals Lanyon’s final encounter with Jekyll

Analysis

• Stevenson positions Lanyon as the only character to witness Jekyll’s transformation as his belief in the laws of science does not enable him to accept what he has witnessed

• Lanyon is a respectable and conventional scientist and stands in contrast to Jekyll, as he views Jekyll’s experiments as dangerous and describes them as “scientific balderdash”

• Lanyon’s shock at Jekyll’s experiment is so great that it leads to his own physical and mental deterioration and subsequent death