Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-1-gothic-conventions [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde.md) › Gothic Conventions # Gothic Conventions English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, topic 3.1.1 ## Gothic Conventions Gothic novels often deal with human emotion, mystery and the supernatural. This is a gothic novel that aimed to shock the Victorian reader. Some of the conventions of a gothic novel are below, and these are key to _Jekyll and Hyde_. ### Mysterious settings ![Mysterious settings](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/a224dad3-04d2-48e8-8119-8a0194e2bf7f/shutterstock_598439609.jpg) - The moon, deserted streets, and a foggy city all reflect the mood and create a sense of foreboding. ### Troubling secrets ![Troubling secrets](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/3816f1e9-52db-45af-a688-0519aa5d19fd/shutterstock_629006642.jpg) - _Jekyll and Hyde_ centres on the disturbing secret of Jekyll, a secret that causes all the people who encounter it to go pale with dread and terror. ### Dreams ![Dreams](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/409a6f4b-a8af-43d4-8894-a43903aeec6d/shutterstock_442520809.jpg) - Utterson's dreams about Hyde in Chapter 2 show how the unconscious fears are released during sleep - a lack of control over our thoughts. ## Gothic Conventions Gothic novels often deal with human emotion, mystery and the supernatural. This is a gothic novel that aimed to shock the Victorian reader. Some of the conventions of a gothic novel are below, and these are key to _Jekyll and Hyde_. ### Supernatural ![Supernatural](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/a5463b39-8a77-4db0-8c64-e611698e7514/shutterstock_1032933763.jpg) - Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde represents the supernatural. ### Dual nature ![Dual nature](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/dd9c9d77-7ce2-487b-8500-d281e72326bd/shutterstock_245916370.jpg) - Jekyll’s changing character - Jekyll becoming Hyde. ### Isolation ![Isolation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/12f030f8-ad12-4b52-bdb1-b129ad125dd7/shutterstock_335024072.jpg) - Characters increasingly becoming alone. - Jekyll becomes isolated. In Chapter 7, his friends Enfield and Utterson try to coax him from the window but he refuses to come down. ### Villain ![Villain](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/983f4f95-3f0b-4c09-b9c3-1181d88bc329/shutterstock_739241632.jpg) - Gothic novels usually include a villain or an evil character. - In _Jekyll and Hyde_, the wicked character is part of a respectable man’s character - even more horrifying to the reader, who would have been a respectable person themselves. - The idea that the villain is just like the reader themselves would have been ghastlier. ## Test yourself on Gothic Conventions - Who does Utterson dream about in Chapter 2? - Who or what is the villain in the novella? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d84e51a0-3ca2-11e8-aa2a-6f57cfa13a6c/section/4541ca30-3d8e-11e8-b7ed-f5479d84760c/session) - Previous topic: [2.2.4 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-4-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - Next topic: [3.1.2 Gothic Settings & Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-2-gothic-settings-and-symbolism.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Chapters 1-10 - [1.1.1 Chapters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-1-chapters-1-and-2.md) - [1.1.2 Chapters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-2-chapters-3-and-4.md) - [1.1.3 Chapters 5 & 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-3-chapters-5-and-6.md) - [1.1.4 Chapters 7 & 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-4-chapters-7-and-8.md) - [1.1.5 Chapters 9 & 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-5-chapters-9-and-10.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-6.md) - [1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-7-end-of-topic-test-chapters-7-10.md) ### 2 Characters - 2.1 Jekyll & Hyde - [2.1.1 Dr Henry Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-1-dr-henry-jekyll.md) - [2.1.2 Jekyll - Name & Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-2-jekyll-name-and-quotes.md) - [2.1.3 Mr Edward Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-3-mr-edward-hyde.md) - [2.1.4 Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapters 1-9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-4-jekyllhyde-quotes-chapters-1-9.md) - [2.1.5 Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-5-jekyllhyde-quotes-chapter-10.md) - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Jekyll & Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-jekyll-and-hyde.md) - [2.1.7 Exam-Style Questions - Mr Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-7-exam-style-questions-mr-hyde.md) - 2.2 Other Characters - [2.2.1 Mr Gabriel John Utterson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-1-mr-gabriel-john-utterson.md) - [2.2.2 Dr Hastie Lanyon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-2-dr-hastie-lanyon.md) - [2.2.3 Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-3-minor-characters.md) - [2.2.4 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-4-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) ### 3 Gothic Genre - 3.1 Gothic Elements - [3.1.1 Gothic Conventions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-1-gothic-conventions.md) - [3.1.2 Gothic Settings & Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-2-gothic-settings-and-symbolism.md) - [3.1.3 End of Topic Test - Gothic Conventions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-3-end-of-topic-test-gothic-conventions.md) ### 4 Key Themes - 4.1 Key Themes & Quotes - [4.1.1 Science](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-1-science.md) - [4.1.2 Dual Nature of Man](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-2-dual-nature-of-man.md) - [4.1.3 Religion & Sin](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-3-religion-and-sin.md) - [4.1.4 Violence & Horror](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-4-violence-and-horror.md) - [4.1.5 Victorian Gentlemen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-5-victorian-gentlemen.md) - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-themes-and-quotes.md) ### 5 Context & Author - 5.1 Context & Author - [5.1.1 The Victorian Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-1-the-victorian-era.md) - [5.1.2 Deacon Brodie & Freud](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-2-deacon-brodie-and-freud.md) - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context & Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context-and-author.md) ### 6 Literary Techniques - 6.1 Literary Techniques - [6.1.1 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-1-language.md) - [6.1.2 Structure & Form](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-2-structure-and-form.md) - [6.1.3 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-3-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques.md) ### 7 Grade 9 - Key Character & Theme Questions - 7.1 Key Character & Themes - Linked Questions - [7.1.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters & Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-1-grade-9-key-characters-and-themes.md) - [7.1.2 Extract Analysis - Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-2-extract-analysis-jekyll.md) - [7.1.3 Extract Analysis - Duality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-3-extract-analysis-duality.md) ### 8 Recap: Main Quotes - 8.1 Characters Quotes - [8.1.1 Dr Henry Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-1-dr-henry-jekyll.md) - [8.1.2 Mr Edward Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-2-mr-edward-hyde.md) - [8.1.3 Mr Edward Hyde 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-3-mr-edward-hyde-2.md) - [8.1.4 Utterson & Lanyon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-4-utterson-and-lanyon.md) - [8.1.5 Poole, Enfield & Mr Guest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-5-poole-enfield-and-mr-guest.md) - 8.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [8.2.1 Jekyll's House & London](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-1-jekylls-house-and-london.md) - [8.2.2 Victorian Repression](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-2-victorian-repression.md) - [8.2.3 Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-3-religion.md) - [8.2.4 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-4-violence.md)