Study Materials for Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

1. Look carefully at Stevenson's descriptions of the city. What times of day figure most prominently? What physical settings does he use for the action? When buildings are part of the setting for the action, what sort of buildings are they? In general, can you summarize the overall tone of Stevenson's physical descriptions?

2. Why does Stevenson choose the professions he does for his central characters? Why are these choices effective?

3. When Victor Frankenstein creates his Creature, he makes him very large. Stature (physical and otherwise) plays a large role in the arts, and especially in visual art and literature. Why then is Mr. Hyde described as so very small in physical stature?

4. Deformity and physical ugliness (real or perceived) often play a large part in symbolic art. Think for instance of portrayals of Satan and devils, as opposed to God (or Jesus) and angels. How do we typically interpret physical beauty and physical ugliness, both in "art" and in everyday life and society? What makes something (or someone) "beautiful"? What makes something (or someone) "ugly"? What relation do these questions have to Stevenson's tale?

5. How does Jekyll interpret his relationship with Hyde? Does he regard Hyde as a "part" of himself or as something wholly separate? Jekyll says that Hyde is entirely evil, entirely driven by the coarsest of passions. Does that mean when Jekyll is not Hyde but is, rather, Jekyll, he is therefore entirely good, driven by the purest of motives?

6. Can Jekyll "control" Hyde"? Soon after this novel appeared, Arthur Conan Doyle began to publish the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, we recall, used drugs like cocaine, but we are told that he is able to "control" his use and not become addicted. Is that in any way related to the situation in Stevenson's novel?

7. Why does Stevenson not allow Dr. Jekyll to tell the entire story himself, since he gives him the final word in the long letter he leaves for Utterson? Where else have we seen this narrative technique used in telling a tale?

8. Freud? ? ?

Robert Louis Stevenson in 1887. John Singer Sargent.

An American paper-covered edition. New York, 1886. Notice the price.

Another American paper-covered edition. New York, 1886. Notice the price.

Some Internet Resources

The Robert Louis Stevenson Home Page, by Richard Dury has a full biography, as well as lots more texts and links.

A filmography, from 1908 to 1996

Stephen C. Behrendt, 7/25/11