a character contrasting with the main character, highlighting differences

the main character in a story, often the hero

acting without thinking, taking risks without considering consequences

free and unrestrained, not held back or restricted

'Jekyll and Hyde': examining Lanyon as a foil to Jekyll

English

In 'Jekyll & Hyde: Detective Fiction', pupils explore how Stevenson uses the conventions of gothic fiction to expose key themes such as secrecy and concealment. In 'Jekyll and Hyde: Gothic Fiction', pupils build on this to explore how gothic texts are often concerned with hidden and illicit desires. 

In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils explore the ways in which victims and villains are portrayed, evaluating whether some villains are portrayed more sympathetically than others. In 'Jekyll and Hyde: Detective Fiction', pupils examine the ways in which Stevenson uses and subverts the conventions of detective fiction both to build suspense and to critique Victorian society.

In this unit, pupils complete their first reading and exploration of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. They read the novella in full, before thinking about the importance of the Gothic, science and religion. They then explore key characters and essay writing before writing about duality in the novella.

Nineteenth century text: first study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it can be argued that Jekyll's experimentations are...

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Stevenson uses Dr. Lanyon as a {{}} to Dr. Jekyll

Lanyon is the irrational face of science.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', how does Dr. Lanyon represent contemporary views on scientific development?

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', arguably Stevenson uses Lanyon to explore his criticisms of unfettered experimentation. What does unfettered mean?

differing narrative viewpoints at the end of the novella

uses quotations from 'On the Origin of Species'

explains his own viewpoint through the character of Lanyon

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', how does Stevenson represent the contemporary, conflicting views around scientific development? 

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', complete this quote said by Jekyll about Lanyon: "hide-bound {{}}."

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' what was Lanyon's profession?

Who was the monarch when 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was written?

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' how did Lanyon die?

Shortly before the release of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' Charles Darwin released a book called 'On the {{}} of Species'.

Which of the following is an idea from Charles Darwin's work which caused fear for some readers at the time 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was published? 

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Lanyon describes Jekyll's experimentation as "{{}} balderdash."

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz