Stevenson’s use of structure in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
I can write about the structure of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and how it links to key themes in the novella.
Stevenson’s use of structure in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
I can write about the structure of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and how it links to key themes in the novella.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The power of human curiosity is key theme shown through the detective form and final narratives of Lanyon and Jekyll.
- Concealment is a key theme shown through the motif of letters and the detective form.
- False appearances is a key theme shown through the motif of the mask.
- Arguably the novella's climax is the breaking down of the door to Jekyll's cabinet, linking to secrecy and concealment.
- Jekyll offers a "full statement" in the denouement, yet we don't see Utterson's response or the consequences of this.
Common misconception
All stories can be unambiguously plotted on a Freytag's Pyramid. It is clear which element is which.
Complex stories, like Jekyll and Hyde, are open to interpretation as to how each element can be plotted on the pyramid.
Keywords
Exposition - Exposition introduces the characters, explains past events and describes the setting of the story.
Rising Action - The part of the story leading to the climax, in which the tension grows, is known as rising action.
Climax - The turning point in a story, where tension is highest, is known as a climax.
Denouement - The final part of a story, in which the loose ends are brought together and the story is resolved is known as a denouement.
Motif - A motif is an object or image that is repeated throughout a story.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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