New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Lanyon as a foil to Jekyll

I can explain how Dr. Lanyon acts as a foil to Henry Jekyll.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Lanyon as a foil to Jekyll

I can explain how Dr. Lanyon acts as a foil to Henry Jekyll.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In literature, a foil is a contrasting character who highlights another’s qualities or flaws.
  2. Lanyon acts as a foil to Jekyll in the novella.
  3. Lanyon represents the rational and reputable face of science, highlighting Jekyll’s recklessness.
  4. Some argue that Lanyon represents Stevenson’s own criticisms of unfettered scientific experimentation.
  5. Lanyon and Jekyll’s conflict may represent the contemporary concerns about science.

Keywords

  • Foil - a character contrasting with the main character, highlighting differences

  • Protagonist - the main character in a story, often the hero

  • Reckless - acting without thinking, taking risks without considering consequences

  • Unfettered - free and unrestrained, not held back or restricted

Common misconception

Stevenson was extremely critical of science.

Stevenson certainly plays on contemporary fears over unfettered scientific development. Whilst his novella could be seen as a criticism of this, the extent to which which Stevenson uses the text as his own personal criticism is arguable.

You may wish to replace the example of a literary foil with a character from a text your pupils have studied.
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 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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' what was Lanyon's profession?
a member of parliament
Correct answer: a scientist
a lawyer
Q2.
Who was the monarch when 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was written?
Correct Answer: Queen Victoria, Victoria
Q3.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' how did Lanyon die?
He is attacked with a walking stick.
He is trampled on.
Correct answer: He dies of shock.
Q4.
Shortly before the release of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' Charles Darwin released a book called 'On the of Species'.
Correct Answer: Origin
Q5.
Which of the following is an idea from Charles Darwin's work which caused fear for some readers at the time 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was published?
Correct answer: evolution
galvanisation
the story of creation
Q6.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Lanyon describes Jekyll's experimentation as " balderdash."
Correct Answer: unscientific

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it can be argued that Jekyll's experimentations are...
worthless
valid
Correct answer: reckless
Q2.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Stevenson uses Dr. Lanyon as a to Dr. Jekyll
Correct Answer: foil
Q3.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', how does Dr. Lanyon represent contemporary views on scientific development?
Correct answer: Lanyon is the rational face of science.
Lanyon is the irrational face of science.
Lanyon represents the fear of evolution.
Q4.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', arguably Stevenson uses Lanyon to explore his criticisms of unfettered experimentation. What does unfettered mean?
Correct answer: unrestrained
restrained
cautious
Q5.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', how does Stevenson represent the contemporary, conflicting views around scientific development?
Correct answer: Lanyon acts as a foil to Jekyll
Correct answer: differing narrative viewpoints at the end of the novella
uses quotations from 'On the Origin of Species'
explains his own viewpoint through the character of Lanyon
Q6.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', complete this quote said by Jekyll about Lanyon: "hide-bound ."
Correct Answer: pedant