Readers are put in the position of juror at the end of the novella, deciding whether Jekyll is guilty of Hyde’s crimes.
The extent to which Jekyll is a sympathetic character is debateable.
Jekyll's double life comes to an end because he can no longer control his transformations.
As Hyde grows stronger, Jekyll grows weaker.
Jekyll and Hyde grow to hate each other, finding it harder to coexist.

Keywords

Allure - A captivating charm or attraction that draws people in, creating a sense of fascination.
Alter-ego - A second self or alternative personality, often representing different aspects of one's character.
Interchangeable - Capable of being exchanged or replaced with another, often without a significant impact.
Infamy - Widespread reputation for negative deeds, bringing disgrace or notoriety to an individual or thing.
Gallows - A structure used for execution by hanging.

Common misconception

Henry Jekyll is responsible for the death of Mr. Hyde. Jekyll is the 'self-destroyer.'

Hyde uses Jekyll as his protection from the gallows. When Jekyll is no more, it is Hyde who chooses death over punishment.

You may wish to finish this lesson with a debate, encouraging students to use their written responses to debate their opinions regarding the statement.

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 serious crime
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character out of Jekyll and Hyde is physically bigger?

Correct Answer: Dr. Jekyll, Jekyll

Q2.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', how does Dr. Jekyll turn into Mr. Hyde?

Correct answer: drinking a potion

making a wish

casting a spell

Q3.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why does Jekyll create Hyde?

Jekyll is desperate to commit terrible crimes.

Jekyll is desperate to escape the boredom of Victorian society.

Correct answer: Jekyll feels repressed by Victorian society.

Q4.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following is arguably not a main theme of the novella?

concealment

duality

reputation

Correct answer: power

Q5.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', in the first half of Chapter 10, how does Jekyll feel about the transformations into Hyde?

Correct answer: exhilarated

remorseful

frightened

Q6.

Complete this quotation from Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde': "his conscience ."

Correct Answer: slumbered, Slumbered, slumbered., Slumbered.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', as Hyde grows stronger, Jekyll grows .

Correct Answer: weaker, Weaker, weaker., Weaker.

Q2.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why does Jekyll's double life come to an end?

Correct answer: Jekyll can no longer control his transformations.

Jekyll enjoys his life as Hyde too much.

Jekyll becomes a 'self-destroyer' to get rid of Hyde.

Q3.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Jekyll attempts to stop becoming Hyde, but the of Hyde becomes too hard to resist.

Correct Answer: allure, Allure, allure., Allure.

Q4.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why does Hyde become a "self-destroyer"?

Jekyll takes a potion to kill them both.

Hyde feels guilty for the crimes he has committed.

Correct answer: Hyde is afraid of the gallows.

Q5.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which quotation can be used to justify the inference: 'Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde become more interchangeable.'

“I was then standing horror-struck”

Correct answer: “Jekyll [...] projected and shared in the pleasures and adventures of Hyde”

“I began to be tortured with throes and longings”

Q6.

In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which quotation can be used to justify the inference: 'the allure of Hyde becomes too much for Jekyll'?

Correct answer: "I began to be tortured with throes and longings"

"I began to spy a danger"

"like the Babylonian finger [...] spelling out the letters of my judgement"