Writing essays about hypocrisy in 'Jekyll and Hyde'
I can make connections between ideas about hypocrisy, discretion and privacy within a planned extended response.
Writing essays about hypocrisy in 'Jekyll and Hyde'
I can make connections between ideas about hypocrisy, discretion and privacy within a planned extended response.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dr. Jekyll is hypocritical because he conceals his wicked other self under a facade of respectability.
- Mr. Utterson is discreet and careful to respect the privacy of others.
- Dr. Lanyon keeps secrets and thereby allows Dr. Jekyll’s hypocrisy to flourish.
- Stevenson is careful to draw a distinction between hypocrisy, discretion and privacy- although they all involve secrets.
Keywords
Hypocrisy - Hypocrisy is when someone pretends to hold certain beliefs, while their actions and behaviour contradict or undermine these.
Secretive - A secretive person keeps information private and hidden from others.
Discreet - If you are discreet, you are careful to keep sensitive information confidential.
Privacy - The word privacy refers to the state of being free from public attention.
Distinction - When you make a distinction between two things, you show how they are different.
Common misconception
Students often think all the characters are hypocritical because they are all keeping secrets.
Keep drawing their attention back to the keywords and their definitions.
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 peer pressure or bullying
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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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Mr. Utterson
Dr. Lanyon
Dr. Jekyll
Exit quiz
6 Questions
overarching evaluative argument focused on purpose
outline arguments of each paragraph
key language, form, structure or contextual detail
summarise argument in each paragraph
conclusive summary of author’s message