'Jekyll and Hyde': examining the novella's structure | English

Starter quiz

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', whose perspective do we hear from in the final chapter of the novella?

'Dr. Jekyll' ✓
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', whose narrative do we hear in Chapter 9 of the novella?

Mr. Utterson

Mr. Hyde

Dr. Lanyon ✓

Mr. Enfield
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what document does Hyde retrieve from behind the 'blistered and distained' door in Chapter 1?

a cheque ✓

a letter

a will
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what clue helps Utterson discover Jekyll and Hyde have the same handwriting?

a letter from Jekyll to Hyde

a letter from Hyde to Jekyll ✓

a letter from Hyde to Utterson
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', sealed letters are a symbol of...

'concealment' ✓
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why does Utterson not open the letter from Lanyon straight away?

professional honour ✓

fear of finding out the truth about Jekyll

loyalty to Dr. Lanyon's request ✓

he thought curiosity was dangerous

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following characters is not one of the narrative voices of the novella?

Dr. Jekyll

Mr. Hyde ✓

Dr. Lanyon

Mr. Utterson
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following is a 'red herring' in the case?

the letter to Jekyll from Hyde

the cheque

Jekyll's will

Carew's letter ✓
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Stevenson uses conventions of ______ fiction to create a sense of mystery in his novella.

'epistolary' ✓
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what perspective are chapters 1-8 written from?

first person

second person

third person limited ✓
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which is the most interesting interpretation as to why Stevenson makes the structural choices he does in the novella?

Mystery and mistrust created is used to critique the hypocritical upper classes. ✓

It makes the novella more confusing to read.

It creates a sense of mystery.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following could it be argued does not help create mistrust in the novella?

non-linear narrative

first person perspective ✓

unreliable narrative voices

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Stevenson uses conventions of epistolary fiction to foreground the importance of letters and documents.
Letters provide clues as part of the detective plot, but also link to the theme of concealment.
The secrecy created by the epistolary form could represent the upper classes attempts to conceal unsavoury behaviour.
The majority of the novella is told in the third person limited, focalised through Utterson.
A sense of mistrust is created through unreliable narrators and a non-linear narrative.

Just mentioning Stevenson's choices surrounding form and structure is valuable analysis.

All comments regarding Stevenson's use of form and structure should be tied back to Stevenson's purpose.

Epistolary - a story told through letters or written communication between characters
Critique - a detailed evaluation, expressing opinions on merits and faults
Duality - the quality of having two sides or aspects - a dual nature
Concealment - the act of hiding or keeping something secret or out of sight