Wednesday 21 October 2015

Year 10 - both my classes. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde catch up sessions - sign up on my door!

If you would like any more help/note-taking sessions/practice questions on Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, then sign up on the sheet only door for a lunch-time session. Any requests for what you want covered accepted, too! See you there!

Friday 9 October 2015

Key themes of the novella


duality of man

good vs evil

repression

friendship and loyalty

appearances

science/medicine.

gothic mystery


Genre: gothic mystery

Social and cultural background

Published in 1868, the novel explores the dual nature of man.

It reflects the Victorian interest in science and medicine. The nineteenth century was an age of exploration that led to the discovery of new countries and cultures, and often the behaviours observed differed from what was deemed acceptable in Victorian society. Victorians considered themselves the epitome of civilisation but what lurked beneath was at times unsavoury. Victorian notions of public and private spheres underpinned respectability – but less admirable behaviour often occurred behind closed doors. Behaviour was thus governed by surface propriety.

Setting

Stevenson uses the setting of London to expose different parts of the city, which represent different things – order vs chaos. Descriptions of buildings and the weather are also used to heighten tension and add to the suspense.

Many of the novel’s key events involving Mr Hyde happen in the dark, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue.
Other settings – old buildings, Jekyll’s laboratory, for example, are all used to build up tension and suspense.