Both the door and the lack of window links to concealment and mystery
The door is a threshold, linking to the gothic trope of liminality
The appearance of the door suggests disregard for the facade of respectability expected in gentile Victorian society
The door is an important threshold to starting the mystery that novella looks to solve

Keywords

Symbol - A symbol is when a material object represents something more abstract.
Concealment - Concealment is the act of hiding the truth about something.
Façade - A façade can mean the outside of a building or a deceptive appearance.
Threshold - A threshold can mean a point of entry, but can also mean the point of beginning.

Common misconception

The story takes place in a dark, gloomy and traditionally Gothic setting.

Stevenson deliberately juxtaposes the building Hyde enters with the pleasant and well-to-do neighbourhood.

In the first learning cycle, you may wish to use 'control the game' reading strategies (Teach Like a Champion), to read the chapter with pupils.

Teacher tip

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 violence or suffering

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).

Lesson video

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is the name of the first character the reader is introduced to in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?

Dr. Jekyll

Mr. Hyde

Correct answer: Mr. Utterson

Q2.

In which city is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' set?

Correct Answer: London, London.

Q3.

In what era is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' set?

Correct answer: The Victoria era.

The Jacobean era.

The Elizabethan era.

Q4.

If someone is concealing something, what are they doing?

Correct answer: Hiding something.

Closing something.

Fixing something.

Q5.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what was Mr. Utterson's profession?

Correct Answer: A lawyer, lawyer, a lawyer, Lawyer, lawyer.

Q6.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what did Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield like to do on a Sunday?

Go to church together.

Correct answer: Go on a Sunday walk.

Meet to discuss important business matters.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character tramples over a young girl in chapter 1?

Correct Answer: Mr. Hyde, Mr Hyde, Hyde, Mr Hyde., Hyde.

Q2.

In chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what does Hyde collect from behind the "blistered and disdained" door?

Some money.

Correct answer: A cheque.

A first aid kit.

Q3.

Which word can mean both 'the outside of a building' or 'a deceptive appearance'?

Correct Answer: façade, Façade, Facade, facade, facade.

Q4.

Which word can mean 'point of entry' but also 'point of beginning'?

Correct Answer: threshold, threshold., Threshold, Threshold.

Q5.

At the end of chpater 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what is suspicious about Utterson's behaviour? Select all which apply.

Correct answer: Utterson believes he knows who signed Hyde's cheque.

Correct answer: Utterson tells Enfield not to speak of the incident again.

Utterson believes he knows who Mr. Hyde is.

Utterson is unsuprised by Hyde's actions.

Q6.

In chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following is not a logical inference about what the "blistered and disdained" door could symbolise?

The concealment of criminal activity.

The façade of upper class respectability.

Correct answer: An entrance to a secret location.