The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

# Essay Prompt: *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde* by Robert Louis Stevenson **Prompt:** In *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde*, Robert Louis Stevenson suggests that suppressing one’s darker impulses—rather than trying to eliminate evil—actually intensifies it. In a well-organized essay, either support, contest, or refine this claim by examining how Stevenson employs the dual nature of Jekyll and Hyde, the setting of Victorian London, and the novel's narrative structure to delve into the repercussions of repression and the instability of a divided self. --- **Requirements:** - Craft a clear, debatable thesis that goes beyond merely summarizing the plot. - Reference **at least three specific passages or scenes** from the novel as supporting evidence. - Analyze how **at least one** of the following literary elements enhances your argument: - Gothic atmosphere and setting - Point of view and narrative framing (Utterson, Lanyon, Jekyll's confession) - Symbolism (doors, mirrors, physical transformation) - Present a **counterargument** and either refute or complicate it. - Suggested length: **4–6 paragraphs** (or as instructed by your teacher). --- **Guiding Questions to Develop Your Thesis:** 1. Does Jekyll's experiment signify a failure in science, morality, or self-understanding—or perhaps all three? 2. Is Hyde entirely evil, or does he reflect the pressures of Victorian society's expectations for respectability? 3. What does the novel imply about the feasibility of truly separating "good" from "evil" within an individual?

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# Essay Prompt: *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde* by Robert Louis Stevenson **Prompt:** In *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde*, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the dual nature of his main character to suggest that repressing human instincts in a strictly moralistic society doesn't eliminate evil; instead, it intensifies and concentrates it. In a well-structured essay, discuss how Stevenson develops the Jekyll/Hyde duality as a critique of Victorian respectability, using specific examples from the text — including characterization, setting, and narrative structure — to back up your argument. --- **Guiding Questions to Consider:** - How does Stevenson depict Hyde's physical characteristics to reflect Victorian concerns about class, degeneration, or the unconscious mind? - What insights does Jekyll's confession (in the final chapter) provide regarding the connection between social performance and repressed desires? - How does the novella's Gothic setting (fog, locked doors, hidden laboratories) emphasize the theme of concealed identities? - In what ways does the narrative structure — primarily presented through secondhand accounts — reflect the Victorian tendency to sidestep uncomfortable truths? --- **Requirements:** - Formulate a clear, defensible thesis that transcends a simple plot summary. - Incorporate at least **three pieces of textual evidence**, properly cited. - Consider at least **one counterargument** (for instance, the interpretation that Jekyll is merely a victim of his own scientific arrogance rather than social repression). - Suggested length: **4–6 paragraphs** (or as directed by your instructor).

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# Essay Prompt: *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde* by Robert Louis Stevenson **Prompt:** In *The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde*, Robert Louis Stevenson presents the idea that hiding one's darker impulses — instead of eliminating them — actually intensifies their power. In a well-structured essay, defend, challenge, or qualify this argument by examining how Stevenson portrays the duality of Jekyll and Hyde, the backdrop of Victorian London, and the narrative style of the novel to investigate the connections between repression, identity, and moral decay. --- **Requirements:** - Craft a clear, arguable thesis that goes beyond merely summarizing the plot. - Use **at least three pieces of textual evidence**, including direct quotes with correct citations. - Address at least **one counterargument** and either refute or complicate it. - Reflect on how the **Victorian social context** (including respectability, scientific ambition, and class) shapes the novel's main conflict. - Conclude by contemplating the **broader implications** of Stevenson's message regarding human nature or society. --- **Suggested Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (or as instructed by your teacher)

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