Part 4: The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde: Theme

Part 4: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Theme

Which statements about themes are true? Check all that apply.

Read excerpt 1 from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court without a word. . . . Mr. Utterson at last turned and looked at his companion. They were both pale; and there was an answering horror in their eyes. "God forgive us, God forgive us," said Mr. Utterson. How do the two excerpts develop the theme "Evil can never truly hide itself"?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "Sir," said the butler, turning to a sort of mottled pallor, "that thing was not my master, and there's the truth. My master"—here he looked round him and began to whisper—"is a tall, fine build of a man, and this was more of a dwarf." Utterson attempted to protest. "O, sir," cried Poole, "do you think I do not know my master after twenty years? Do you think I do not know where his head comes to in the cabinet door, where I saw him every morning of my life? No, sir, that thing in the mask was never Dr. Jekyll—God knows what it was, but it was never Dr. Jekyll; and it is the belief of my heart that there was murder done." Which theme does this passage best support?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "I've been afraid for about a week," returned Poole, doggedly disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more." The man's appearance amply bore out his words; his manner was altered for the worse; and except for the moment when he had first announced his terror, he had not once looked the lawyer in the face. Even now, he sat with the glass of wine untasted on his knee, and his eyes directed to a corner of the floor. "I can bear it no more," he repeated. How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets are a heavy burden"?

One theme in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the message "It is important to trust one's instincts." Which event best connects to this theme?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "You stay too much indoors," said the lawyer. "You should be out, whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This is my cousin—Mr. Enfield—Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your hat and take a quick turn with us." "You are very good," sighed the other. "I should like to very much; but no, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not....... How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets isolate people from those around them"?

Which line is most likely in the climax of the story?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The court was very cool and a little damp, and full of premature twilight, although the sky, high up overhead, was still bright with sunset. The middle one of the three windows was half-way open; and sitting close beside it, taking the air with an infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner, Utterson saw Dr. Jekyll. "What! Jekyll!" he cried. "I trust you are better."............ How does this event best connect to the theme "Secrets isolate people"?

One theme in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the message "Evil can never truly hide itself." Which event best connects to this theme?

One theme in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the message "It is important to trust one's instincts." Which event best connects to this theme?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "Now, my good man," said the lawyer, "be explicit. What are you afraid of?" "I've been afraid for about a week," returned Poole, doggedly disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more."........................... How does this event best connect to the theme "Appearances shape people's opinions"?

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But the words were hardly uttered, before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court......... How does this passage develop the theme "Evil can never truly hide itself"?

As a theme develops throughout a text, the message

The climax is the point of __________ in a story.