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

1.1Chapters 1-10

1.1.1Chapters 1 & 2

1.1.2Chapters 3 & 4

1.1.3Chapters 5 & 6

1.1.4Chapters 7 & 8

1.1.5Chapters 9 & 10

1.1.6End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-10

2Characters

2.1Jekyll & Hyde

2.1.1Dr Henry Jekyll

2.1.2Jekyll - Name & Quotes

2.1.3Mr Edward Hyde

2.1.4Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapters 1-9

2.1.5Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapter 10

2.1.6End of Topic Test - Jekyll & Hyde

2.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Mr Hyde

2.2Other Characters

2.2.1Mr Gabriel John Utterson

2.2.2Dr Hastie Lanyon

2.2.3Minor Characters

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Other Characters

3Gothic Genre

3.1Gothic Elements

3.1.1Gothic Conventions

3.1.2Gothic Settings & Symbolism

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Gothic Conventions

4Key Themes

4.1Key Themes & Quotes

4.1.1Science

4.1.2Dual Nature of Man

4.1.3Religion & Sin

4.1.4Violence & Horror

4.1.5Victorian Gentlemen

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Quotes

5Context & Author

5.1Context & Author

5.1.1The Victorian Era

5.1.2Deacon Brodie & Freud

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context & Author

6Literary Techniques

6.1Literary Techniques

6.1.1Language

6.1.2Structure & Form

6.1.3End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques

7Grade 9 - Key Character & Theme Questions

7.1Key Character & Themes - Linked Questions

7.1.1Grade 9 - Key Characters & Themes

7.1.2Extract Analysis - Jekyll

7.1.3Extract Analysis - Duality

8Recap: Main Quotes

8.1Characters Quotes

8.1.1Dr Henry Jekyll

8.1.2Mr Edward Hyde

8.1.3Mr Edward Hyde 2

8.1.4Utterson & Lanyon

8.1.5Poole, Enfield & Mr Guest

8.2Text Structure - Quotes

8.2.1Jekyll's House & London

8.2.2Victorian Repression

8.2.3Religion

8.2.4Violence

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