'Jekyll and Hyde': writing about Jekyll's culpability in the novella
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a nuanced response about the culpability of Jekyll.
Key learning points
- Jekyll makes it clear in his final statement that he was repressed by society and driven to create Hyde.
- Some readers may argue that Jekyll shows remorse in his statement, others may disagree.
- It can be argued that repression and remorse do not absolve Jekyll of culpability.
- Nuanced arguments should acknowledge, and critically dismiss, different ideas.
- Tentative language is useful for expressing nuanced ideas.
Keywords
Culpable - deserving blame or being responsible for something wrong or harmful
Nuanced - showing a fine and detailed level of understanding
Repressed - holding back or suppressing emotions or desires
Remorseful - feeling regret or guilt for a wrongdoing
Common misconception
When analysing, all pupils need is a clear viewpoint.
A clear viewpoint is important, but adding nuance will improve the quality of pupil responses.
Teacher tip
In the second learning cycle, you could stretch and challenge pupils by getting them to write a counter argument to Laura's viewpoint, creating their own paragraph outline.
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
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', at the end of the novella it is revealed Jekyll and Hyde are...
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it can be argued that most of the characters deeply care about protecting their...
Q3.In Victorian Britain, Christianity played a large role in both social and aspects of society.
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it can be argued Jekyll is culpable for the deaths of two characters. What does culpable mean?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', describes himself as the "chief of sinners" but the "chief of " also.
Q6.In Chapter 10 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Jekyll, on realising 'the truth' about the duality of man, claims that he has been "doomed to such a dreadful ."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Jekyll argues that he creates Hyde because he has been by society.
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it can be argued that Jekyll is culpable for the deaths of Carew and Lanyon. What does this mean?
Q3.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following quotations could show Jekyll is remorseful for creating Hyde?
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the quotations is useful for showing Jekyll lacks remorse for creating Hyde?
Q5.Which of the following help add nuance to an argument?
Q6.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the following is not a logical inference from the quotation: "doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck."?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde': writing about Jekyll's culpability in the novella, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde': writing about Jekyll's culpability in the novella, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Jekyll & Hyde: duality and evil unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.