Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapter 10
English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, topic 2.1.5
Jekyll/Hyde - Chapter 10
Jekyll says: “My devil had long been caged, he came out roaring.”
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 to the extent that it has been made aggressive and angry.
Jekyll/Hyde - Chapter 10
Jekyll says: “I looked down; my clothes hung formlessly on my shrunken limbs; the hand that lay on my knee was corded and hairy.”
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 himself 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.
Test yourself on Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapter 10
Key Quote - Jekyll
What is the hand a symbol of?