Dr. Lanyon in 'Jekyll and Hyde': a curious character
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make links between the characterisation of Lanyon and Stevenson’s key themes of hypocrisy and concealment.
Key learning points
- Lanyon may seem like a foil to Jekyll, but ultimately he also succumbs to his curiosity
- Lanyon and Jekyll have opposing scientific views: Lanyon more conventional, whereas Jekyll pushes boundaries
- By including their two first person narratives at the end of the novella, Stevenson invites comparison between the men
- Despite the tension between them, Lanyon continues to protect Jekyll's reputation until after his death
- Lanyon makes an active choice to witness Hyde's transformation, suggesting that he shares in the blame for his death
Keywords
Foil - In literature, a foil is a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight or accentuate some aspect of the main character.
Pedant - A pedant is someone who is excessively concerned with minor details.
Rational - If something is based on reason or logic then it is rational.
Complicity - Complicity is when someone is involved in an activity with others that is unlawful or morally wrong.
Concealment - If you are hiding something or preventing it being known, this is known as concealment.
Common misconception
Whether Dr. Lanyon being a foil for Dr. Jekyll is a straightforward answer.
Whether Lanyon is a foil for Jekyll is debatable. They have clear differences (e.g. scientific views) but similarities too (curiosity).
Teacher tip
Dr. Lanyon only makes a handful of appearances in the novella. Consider creating a timeline of his appearances so students are aware of his actions in the novella and when they take place.
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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these characters from 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' to their professions.
Doctor
A chemical doctor
MP
Butler
Lawyer
Q2.In what year was the novella 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' first published?
Q3.Which of the below best describes the relationship between Lanyon and Jekyll at the start of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
Q4.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what do Jekyll and Lanyon both have in common?
Q5.What is the definition of the word 'concealment'? Here it is used in a sentence: 'The detective discovered a clever concealment of evidence in the suspect's home.'
Q6.What is the definition of the word 'rational'? Here it is used in a sentence: 'Making a rational decision requires careful consideration of all available information.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is being described here: 'a secondary character whose purpose is to highlight or accentuate some aspect of the main character.'?
Q2.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Lanyon famously describes Jekyll's scientific work as 'unscientific ...'
Q3.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Dr. Lanyon's approach to science is...
Q4.In what ways are Jekyll and Lanyon arguably most similar in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Dr. Lanyon keeps Jekyll's transformation secret therefore also hiding his crimes. Arguably, this is an example of...
Q6.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the extent to which Dr. Lanyon is a foil for Dr. Jekyll is...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Dr. Lanyon in 'Jekyll and Hyde': a curious character, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Dr. Lanyon in 'Jekyll and Hyde': a curious character, 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: society as the villain unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.