Starter quiz
- Which of these is a key theme in 'Jekyll and Hyde'?
- the duality of human nature ✓
- the importance of ambition
- the power of love
- the inevitability of fate
-
- During the Victorian era, the gap between the poorest and richest in society was ...
- non-existent
- small
- huge ✓
-
- Starting with the first, put these events from 'Jekyll and Hyde' into the order they appear in the narrative.
- 1⇔Utterson learns that Mr. Hyde trampled a young girl in the street.
- 2⇔Mr. Utterson is worried about his friend Dr. Jekyll’s will.
- 3⇔Utterson meets Mr. Hyde and is struck by his sinister appearance.
- 4⇔Utterson attends a dinner party at Dr. Jekyll's house.
- 5⇔Sir Danvers Carew is brutally murdered.
- What does the word 'subtle' mean?
- obvious and clear
- less obvious and understated ✓
- loud and attention-grabbing
- shy and lacking in confidence
-
- What are 'morals'?
- physical abilities
- scientific theories
- economic strategies
- rules or principles about right and wrong behaviour ✓
-
- What does it mean to be 'conflicted'?
- to be free from worry
- to be very confident and bold
- to feel uncertain or have mixed feelings about something ✓
- to make a clear decision
-
Exit quiz
- Which of the following best describes Victorian morality?
- emphasis on outward respectability and strict moral codes ✓
- focus on scientific discovery and innovation
- a belief in free expression and personal desires
- encouragement of social rebellion and disregard for norms
-
- In Victorian society, what was often hidden behind a person’s 'public persona'?
- their social class
- their personal ambitions
- their private desires or immoral behaviours ✓
- their family background
-
- How did Charles Darwin’s 'On the Origin of Species' challenge traditional views?
- it suggested that animals could become human over time
- it argued that morality may not come from God but from evolution ✓
- it promoted the idea of moral superiority among humans
- it denied the existence of natural instincts
-
- What does the word 'primitive' typically describe?
- someone with modern views and attitudes
- an advanced and civilised society
- a modern technological invention
- something from an early or basic stage of development ✓
-
- In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what does Dr. Jekyll represent?
- the darker side of human nature
- outward respectability and societal expectations ✓
- an uncivilised, primitive existence
- scientific rebellion against morality
-
- Complete this sentence about 'Jekyll and Hyde': 'There are subtle ______ between both Jekyll and Hyde, foreshadowing that they are two sides of the same person.'
- 'similarities' ✓
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Victorian morality emphasised strict social codes, outward respectability, and repression of personal desires.
- Public and private personas were vital: people publicly adhered to societal norms and hid immoral behaviour.
- Jekyll is portrayed as well-liked and respected, whereas Hyde is presented as primitive, violent, and feared.
- Contrasting language depicts them, reflecting Victorian anxieties about morality and the dark side of human nature.
- There are subtle similarities between both Jekyll and Hyde, foreshadowing that they are two sides of the same person.
Common misconception
Most Victorians were religious people which meant that they behaved in a way that was morally good.
While most Victorians were religious and followed stict moral codes, they did so only in public. Behind clsosed doors, immoral and debaucherous behaviour was common.
Keywords
Façade - a deceptive outward appearance hiding a person's true feelings or character
Debauchery - excessive indulgence in sensory pleasures, often associated with immoral or corrupt behaviour
Calvinism - a branch of Christianity emphasising discipline, hard work, self-denial and personal responsibility
Primitive - relating to an early stage of human development; simple, uncivilised or basic
Primal instincts - innate, fundamental urges or behaviours, often linked to survival and animalistic drives
+