'Jekyll and Hyde': exploring the duplicity of the upper class characters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use context to explain the complicity of other characters in the actions of Hyde.
Key learning points
- Whilst Jekyll is clearly culpable for the creation of Hyde, arguably others are complicit in his crimes.
- Dr. Lanyon learns the truth but chooses not to expose Jekyll.
- Utterson fails to take opportunities to unearth the truth, instead choosing to keep secrets sealed away.
- Through Enfield, and other characters, Stevenson is critical of the hypocrisy of the upper-middle classes.
Keywords
Complicit - involvement in wrongdoing or playing a part in a questionable act
Duplicitous - being deceptive and lacking in honesty
Hypocrisy - pretending to be what one is not; saying one thing, doing another
To indulge - allow oneself to enjoy or have something pleasurable
Analogy - showing similarities to explain an idea
Common misconception
Jekyll is the only character responsible for the crimes of Hyde.
A more nuanced understanding of the text explores the complicity of other characters and the decisions they make.
Teacher tip
You could divide the three men between the class so each of them are discussed in the final debate. Criticising Lanyon is probably the least challenging, whereas claiming Enfield is most complicit is perhaps the most difficult. Use the characters to differentiate the debate.
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 serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Mr. is our trusted narrator.
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Mr. Utterson was a ...
Q3.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', some of the characters could be described as hypocrites. What does this mean?
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', why does Utterson not open the letter addressed to him straight away?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', both Enfield and Carew, both supposedly respectable men, were out walking ...
Q6.Robert L. Stevenson was raised in a religious household, his parents were Scottish ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', whilst Jekyll is responsible for the creation of Hyde, it can be argued other characters are ...
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character is arguably complicit because they know the truth but refuse to reveal it?
Q3.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character is arguably complicit as they have access to the truth but choose not to try and find out it out?
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', who shares the analogy comparing asking questions to rolling a stone down a hill?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the inferences below is the most logical to make about the stone analogy in Chapter 1?
Q6.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it could be argued that Stevenson's purpose is to ...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde': exploring the duplicity of the upper class characters, 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': exploring the duplicity of the upper class characters, 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.