Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
The duality of good and evil in humanity is a topic that many are reluctant to speak of: the fact that good and evil exist in all of us, and that sometimes, evil overcomes the good. We have several examples from history to back this idea up, but sometimes it’s just the simple, everyday things that highlight this duality: when a child bullies another child; giving into road rage; spreading rumors about someone who is disliked; or saying mean and hurtful things to someone we love. The Gothic tradition often directly opposed the ideas of Transcendentalism, gaining traction at the time Stevenson wrote this novella, which postured that humanity, if left to its own devices, would ultimately choose good over evil. Instead, this novel shows that the evil in our nature, if given a little nourishment and attention, might grow into an uncontrollable monster.
Dr. Jekyll arrives at Hyde through his experimentation with transient science. Unsatisfied with his life dedicated to study, and becoming more convinced of the "hidden other" within, he follows his experiments even when they became dangerous. Jekyll himself writes that the danger of death was always present, but despite this, he felt compelled to follow through and see what was on the other side of his potion. This lends credence to the often-disputed notion that when one tries to play "God" and mess with the natural order and balance of things, terrible things can result.
Henry Jekyll is smart and well-respected, but he finds himself bored by his Victorian obligations. He is pious and makes sure that he gives to charities; he tries to ensure that he remains a benign figure in the community; he stays out of trouble. However, he knows that deep down inside, there’s someone else vying for attention. If he gives into that someone, however, his very reputation could be destroyed. When Jekyll allows Hyde to be set free, he can do anything he wants with virtual anonymity—after all, Hyde doesn’t really exist. Jekyll is free to explore all of the things that would destroy him in London.
An important symbol is the door. The door itself is a means for Hyde to enter and leave the Jekyll residence unhindered. It gives Jekyll the ultimate freedom to embrace his inner evil, become Hyde, and go about the city engaging in evil exploits, without ever being held accountable to his servants or friends. When Jekyll resolves to stop turning into Hyde, he crushes the key to the door beneath his heel; however, it ultimately does not stop the evil Hyde from returning.
Hyde's face exudes pure evil; the mere sight of him inspires people to hate him, fear him, or be completely repulsed by him. Enfield relates, "There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable." Hyde himself is small in stature, because he is the side of Jekyll’s personality that hasn’t been nourished: the evil side that has been repressed for years.
The salt that Jekyll uses to finalize and perfect his experiment turns out to be impure. It is the irony that this impurity is what allows the experiment to work, and brings out the impurity in Jekyll. When Jekyll is struggling to stay as Jekyll, he discovers that all of the new samples of this salt are pure, and he realizes the mistake. It is in this moment that Jekyll realizes he cannot be saved.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important themes, symbols, and motifs in the story.
Engage students by organizing a lively debate where they explore both sides of human nature as seen in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This activity encourages critical thinking, respectful discussion, and a deeper understanding of the novel's main theme.
Select students to represent the 'good' and 'evil' sides of human nature. Assign roles so everyone is involved and understands their position in the discussion.
Direct students to find quotes and scenes from the novel that support their assigned side. Encourage them to look for both major events and subtle hints that illustrate the duality theme.
Explain the structure of the debate, including time limits, speaking turns, and respectful listening. Clear guidelines help students focus on thoughtful arguments and constructive dialogue.
Invite students to discuss what they learned and how their views may have changed. This reflection reinforces understanding and connects the novel's themes to real-life choices.
The main themes in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde include the duality of good and evil in humanity, the dangers of unethical science, and the importance of reputation in Victorian society. These themes help students explore complex human nature and moral choices.
Use storyboards to help students identify and illustrate key themes, symbols, and motifs from the novel. Have students select examples from the text, describe their importance, and create visual scenes to reinforce understanding.
Key symbols include the door (freedom to embrace one's darker side), Hyde’s appearance (manifestation of evil), and the salt (impurity and unintended consequences). Each symbol deepens the story’s meaning.
The duality of good and evil refers to the idea that every person has both good and evil within them. Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into Mr. Hyde shows how easily someone’s darker side can emerge when unchecked.
In Victorian society, a good reputation was vital. Dr. Jekyll’s struggle highlights how fear of public shame drove people to hide their true selves, shaping behavior and choices throughout the novel.