8.1.1
Dr Henry Jekyll
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Key Quotes - Dr Henry Jekyll
Here are a few key quotes showing aspects of Jekyll's character:
Sociable and well-respected
- “A fortnight later, by excellent good fortune, the doctor gave one of his pleasant dinners to some five or six old cronies, all intelligent, reputable men and all judges of good wine”. (3)
- Jekyll is a sociable man. He holds dinner parties and he is well-known in the community for his reputable character. He behaves in a socially acceptable way, and he is very aware of how other people see him, especially amongst the upper class.
Repression and reputation
- “Hence it came about that I concealed my pleasures; and that when I reached years of reflection, and began to look round me and take stock of my progress and position in the world, I stood already committed to a profound duplicity of life.” (10)
- Jekyll kept the sinful side of his personality repressed in favour of appearing to be a socially respectable man.
Glimpse of the old
- “He came out of his seclusion, renewed relations with his friends, became once more their familiar guest and entertainer; and whilst he had always been known for charities, he was now no less distinguished for religion.” (6)
- Hyde disappears for a while, and Jekyll starts to come out of his seclusion and become his old social self: he visits friends and entertains people, goes to church and acts like a religious man.
Key Quote - Dr Henry Jekyll
Jekyll says: “My devil had long been caged, he came out roaring.” (10)
Context
- The final chapter is a written confession from Jekyll, explaining how his transformations into Hyde caused him to be unable to eventually control when and how often the transformations took place.
Devil
- The inner devil that Jekyll speaks of here is a manifestation of his unconscious desires and repressed pleasure-seeking elements.
- The “devil” is a deliberate contrast and religious allusion to the Christian ideals of morality, goodness and purity.
Roaring
- The animalistic continuous verb “roaring” suggests that the creature within has been repressed so much that it's now aggressive and angry.
Key Quote - Dr Henry Jekyll
Jekyll says: “I looked down; my clothes hung formlessly on my shrunken limbs; the hand that lay on my knee was corded and hairy.” (10)
Context
- The final cathartic (providing release) chapter reveals the creature underneath the façade of Jekyll’s well-respected character.
Hairy
- The “hairy” creature has been allowed to grow hair freely - an unrestrained and uncontrolled creature that is unlike Jekyll.
- Jekyll is shocked at the uncontrollable transformations as he looks down upon his own body and sees the results of his experimentation.
Hand
- The hand is a symbol of respectability and honour - and this is invaded by the hair that grows underneath his skin.
1Plot Summary
2Characters
2.1Jekyll & Hyde
3Gothic Genre
4Key Themes
5Context & Author
6Literary Techniques
6.1Literary Techniques
7Grade 9 - Key Character & Theme Questions
7.1Key Character & Themes - Linked Questions
8Recap: Main Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Characters
2.1Jekyll & Hyde
3Gothic Genre
4Key Themes
5Context & Author
6Literary Techniques
6.1Literary Techniques
7Grade 9 - Key Character & Theme Questions
7.1Key Character & Themes - Linked Questions
8Recap: Main Quotes
Practice questions on Dr Henry Jekyll
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- 1Key Quote - JekyllPut in order
- 2What is the hand a symbol of?Multiple choice
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