The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Hyde and Morality

• English
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• GCSE

Introduction

This lesson is centred around the theme of Mr. Hyde and Morality. It can be customised based on the needs of your learners. After the immersive animated opening (click on the sound hotspot for added impact!) you will find a range of activities including mind maps, quizzes, polls and open questions, as well as a drag and drop activity. You could use this anywhere in the course once the class are familiar with the narrative.

Welcome to this lesson on Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! This time it's focusing on morality and Mr.Hyde.

Hope you find it useful!

Feel free to modify this lesson!

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be and why?

Starter activity.......

Depending on the nature of your group, moderation may be required! 

Alternatively replace with a starter of your own choice. An alternate idea for this was to have the class think of any historical or public figure who had different sides..

Lesson Objective

To understand how Stevenson uses Hyde as a symbol of moral corruption.

 

A simple lesson objective here - feel free to customise.

Respectable

Ape-like

Civilised

Controlled

Repressed

Honoured

Honoured

Educated

Charitable

Troubled

Rational

Mysterious

Fiendish

Inhuman

Instinctive

Impulsive

Dual-Natured

A drag and drop activity......the 'both' section is meant to represent qualities that fit Jekyll and Hyde but may not be clear to students and need clarification.

What does 'duality' mean to you?

Which adjective was the most difficult to place?

A reminder of the adjectives used is available in the extra explanations tab.

What does 'duality' mean to you?

What do your choices tell us about how Stevenson presents the two sides of human nature?

Open question to explore ideas. 

What does 'duality' mean to you?

Choose two adjectives for Jekyll and two for Hyde. Write a short explanation for each, using evidence from the text.

Example

Jekyll is ‘repressed’ because he hides his darker urges and maintains a respectable public image.

Expanding on the last activity.

Quotation Analysis

"There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something down-right detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why."

— Chapter 1, Mr Enfield describing Hyde

Example

This description, delivered by Mr Enfield, highlights the unnatural and instinctively repellent aura of Mr Hyde. The key phrase “something down-right detestable” reflects the idea that Hyde’s evil is felt before it is understood. His deformity is not physical so much as moral and psychological. The fact that Enfield “scarce knows why” he finds Hyde so repugnant reflects a Victorian fear of the unknown and a sense of unspoken, internal corruption.

Apologies for the potential 'jump scare' when pressing the hotspot! This slide is an example for the following activity.

What does 'duality' mean to you?

Quotation Analysis

“He gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn’t specify the point.”

— Chapter 2, Mr Utterson reflecting on Hyde

This and the next few slides are all PEEL writing activities. 

What does 'duality' mean to you?

Quotation Analysis

“With ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot.”

— Chapter 4, describing Hyde’s violent attack

What does 'duality' mean to you?

Quotation Analysis

“The other snarled aloud into a savage laugh.”

— Chapter 2, Hyde reacting to Utterson

Is Hyde evil, or just Jekyll without restraint?

Hyde is Evil!

Jekyll without restraint

Unsure

This poll is intended to foster classroom debate.

What does Mr Hyde represent in the novella?

1. A. The perfect Victorian gentleman
2. D. The darker instincts of humanity
3. C. The dangers of science
4. B. A misunderstood genius

Quiz questions!

Which phrase from the novella best links Hyde to evil?

1. D. “I was no more myself”
2. C. “A well-made, smooth-faced man”
3. B. “A man of wealth and taste”
4. A. “With ape-like fury”

Quiz questions!

Why does Jekyll create Hyde?

1. D. To make money through experiments
2. C. To prove a scientific theory
3. A. To impress his colleagues
4. B. To explore the duality of man without consequence

Quiz questions!

Hyde feels deep guilt after committing violent acts.

1. True
2. False

Quiz questions!

Which of the following best describes Mr Hyde’s moral character?

1. D. Thoughtful and regretful
2. B. Repressed and remorseful
3. C. Amoral and impulsive
4. A. Charitable and polite

Quiz questions!

What does 'duality' mean to you?

“Hyde is a reflection of the darkest parts of human nature.”

Write one PEEL paragraph agreeing or disagreeing with this view.

A larger scale PEEL writing exercise. 

What do you think is Stevenson's message about human morality?

This is designed as a launch of broader discussion about morality in the text.

What does 'duality' mean to you?

What does this suggest about what Hyde represents to Jekyll? How does this relate to Victorian ideas of repression?

Write two things you have learned today

Exit ticket that could be answered in class/

What does 'duality' mean to you?

What does this suggest about what Hyde represents to Jekyll? How does this relate to Victorian ideas of repression?

Use this slide to ask about something you are unsure about....

And another exit ticket!

Thank you for using this lesson!

Hope you enjoyed it!