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Year 11
Edexcel

Considering Stevenson's use of fog as a motif in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

I can analyse the importance of fog in ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.

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Year 11
Edexcel

Considering Stevenson's use of fog as a motif in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

I can analyse the importance of fog in ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In Chapter 4, there is smog, bound up with pollution to create an artificial twilight that links to liminality
  2. The dirt of the fog implies the pollution and corruption of London
  3. In Soho (Ch4) there is smog, bound up with pollution to create an artificial twilight that links to liminality and Ch7
  4. The fog and the mystery is heightened in Chapter 5
  5. It is important to trace motifs throughout a text

Keywords

  • Pall - A pall is a thick dark cloud of something, for example smoke. It is also a cloth placed over coffins at funerals.

  • Twilight - The period of time between sunset and the darkness of night is known as twilight.

  • Liminal - Liminal describes something that is between two stages.

  • Concept - Another word for an idea is concept.

  • Concealed - If something is concealed, it is hidden.

Common misconception

Students think that the fog is purely designed to create an eerie Gothic atmosphere.

Be clear about the symbolic nature of fog. The fact that it can allow for partial visibility.


To help you plan your year 11 English lesson on: Considering Stevenson's use of fog as a motif in 'Jekyll and Hyde', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to identify the differences between fog at different parts of the chapters.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What noun beginning with 'M' means an image that is is repeated throughout a text?

Correct Answer: motif, Motif, Motif., motif.

Q2.
Match the chapter numbers with the chapter titles from 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.

Correct Answer:Chapter 1,Story of the Door.

Story of the Door.

Correct Answer:Chapter 2,Search for Mr. Hyde.

Search for Mr. Hyde.

Correct Answer:Chapter 3,Dr. Jekyll Was Quite At Ease.

Dr. Jekyll Was Quite At Ease.

Correct Answer:Chapter 4,The Carew Murder Case.

The Carew Murder Case.

Correct Answer:Chapter 5,Incident of the Letter.

Incident of the Letter.

Q3.
Why is Mr. Utterson so concerned about Dr. Jekyll in chapter 5 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?

He doesn't like Jekyll's new science theories.
Correct answer: He thinks that Jekyll is protecting Hyde.
He is worried that Jekyll may have committed murder.

Q4.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following quotations best supports the interpretation that Utterson feels threatened by his environment?

"A fog rolled over the city.”
“At night under the face of the fogged city moon.”
Correct answer: “The wind was continually charging."

Q5.
Starting with the first, put the following events of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' in to chronological order.

1 - Hyde tramples over a young girl “like some damned juggernaut."
2 - Hyde murders Sir Danvers Carew, MP.
3 - Jekyll transforms into Hyde in Regents Park.
4 - Jekyll’s manservant Poole comes to beg Utterson for help.

Q6.
In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why is it significant when Jekyll becomes Hyde in broad daylight? Select all that apply from the following options..

Correct answer: It indicates that he has lost control over Hyde.
Correct answer: It suggests that his sins can no longer be hidden.
It terrifies all the witnesses.
It reveals to everyone the truth about Jekyll.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What adjective beginning with 'L' describes something that occupies the space between two things or stages?

Correct Answer: liminal

Q2.
Twilight describes which time of day?

The early hours of the morning.
Correct answer: The period between sunset and dark.
The hours just after dawn.
Midnight at the point when the clock strikes 12.

Q3.
What is another word for concept?

Correct Answer: idea, Idea, Idea., idea.

Q4.
Which quotations come from Chapter 4 and which from Chapter 5 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?

Correct Answer:"The first fog of the season.",Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Correct Answer:"The fog settled down again.",Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Correct Answer:"The fog still slept.",Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Correct Answer:"The fog lay thickly.",Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Q5.
In Chapter 4 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what is the best interpretation of the fact that the fog has been turned brown by dust?

Correct answer: That human dirt has corrupted nature.
That Victorian London was very dirty.
That visibility was often difficult in London.

Q6.
Which is the best analysis of the following quotation from 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: “The fog lifted a little and showed him a dingy street"?

Fog is personified in a way that makes it seem human and dangerous.
The use of personification shows the power of the fog as it takes over London.
Correct answer: The fog is shown as being in charge of what Utterson can and can't see.