'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 7: Incident at the Window
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Stevenson uses liminality in Chapter 7.
Key learning points
- Twilight marks the transition between day and night; it is a liminal time.
- Windows are often important symbols or liminal spaces in gothic fiction.
- Jekyll is in the middle window, which is half way up, suggesting a state of transition.
- This court is located by the "blistered and disdained" door of Chapter 1.
- Utterson and Enfield choose to protect Jekyll's reputation over his wellbeing and walk away with a vow of silence.
Keywords
Liminality - Liminality is the physical process of transitioning across boundaries and borders.
Pivotal - If something is described as being pivotal, it is of crucial importance.
Motif - A motif is a recurring idea in a text.
Twilight - The time between sunset and darkness is called twilight.
Common misconception
Liminal spaces are things that are unnerving in a mysterious way.
Liminal spaces often do create a unnerving tone, but this is due to them being the boundary to two opposing states.
Teacher tip
This is a moment where pupils might start to discover the truth behind the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde. If you want to avoid revealing the ending, discuss slamming of window as a liminal space between good and evil. Here Jekyll chooses evil.
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
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character does Mr. Utterson go on his customary walks with?
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why do Utterson and Enfield believe Dr. Jekyll writes Hyde into his will?
Q3.The word 'twilight' is used to describe what time of day?
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why might a reader describe Dr. Jekyll as a recluse in the latter half of the novella?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', doors could be described as of concealment.
Q6.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the door in Chapter 1 is described as being "blistered and ."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Chapter 7 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', where is Dr. Jekyll sitting?
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following best summarises the events following Jekyll slamming the window shut in Chapter 7?
Q3.What word means 'the physical process of transitioning across boundaries and borders'?
Q4.In Chapter 7 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why might a reader infer Utterson prefers to preserve Jekyll's reputation rather than discover the truth?
Q5.In Chapter 7 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the below is most useful in highlighting how Jekyll prefers to preserve his reputation rather than reveal the truth?
Q6.In Chapter 7 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which two examples of liminality does Stevenson use to suggest Jekyll's position between truth and secrecy?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 7: Incident at the Window, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde' Chapter 7: Incident at the Window, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Jekyll & Hyde: duality and evil unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.