'Jekyll and Hyde': progress versus primal instincts
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Stevenson reflects Victorian attitudes to morality in his depictions of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.
Key learning points
- Victorian morality emphasised strict social codes, outward respectability, and repression of personal desires.
- Public and private personas were vital: people publicly adhered to societal norms and hid immoral behaviour.
- Jekyll is portrayed as well-liked and respected, whereas Hyde is presented as primitive, violent, and feared.
- Contrasting language depicts them, reflecting Victorian anxieties about morality and the dark side of human nature.
- There are subtle similarities between both Jekyll and Hyde, foreshadowing that they are two sides of the same person.
Keywords
Façade - a deceptive outward appearance hiding a person's true feelings or character
Debauchery - excessive indulgence in sensory pleasures, often associated with immoral or corrupt behaviour
Calvinism - a branch of Christianity emphasising discipline, hard work, self-denial and personal responsibility
Primitive - relating to an early stage of human development; simple, uncivilised or basic
Primal instincts - innate, fundamental urges or behaviours, often linked to survival and animalistic drives
Common misconception
Most Victorians were religious people which meant that they behaved in a way that was morally good.
While most Victorians were religious and followed stict moral codes, they did so only in public. Behind clsosed doors, immoral and debaucherous behaviour was common.
Teacher tip
At the end of the lesson, consider stretching pupils' critical thinking skills by asking them to debate whether they think Jekyll and Hyde are two sides of the same person or two separate people inhabiting one body.
Equipment
You will need access to specific extracts from 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson. You can find the extracts in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Language may offend
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a key theme in 'Jekyll and Hyde'?
Q2.During the Victorian era, the gap between the poorest and richest in society was ...
Q3.Starting with the first, put these events from 'Jekyll and Hyde' into the order they appear in the narrative.
Q4.What does the word 'subtle' mean?
Q5.What are 'morals'?
Q6.What does it mean to be 'conflicted'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes Victorian morality?
Q2.In Victorian society, what was often hidden behind a person’s 'public persona'?
Q3.How did Charles Darwin’s 'On the Origin of Species' challenge traditional views?
Q4.What does the word 'primitive' typically describe?
Q5.In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', what does Dr. Jekyll represent?
Q6.Complete this sentence about 'Jekyll and Hyde': 'There are subtle between both Jekyll and Hyde, foreshadowing that they are two sides of the same person.'
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde': progress versus primal instincts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Jekyll and Hyde': progress versus primal instincts, 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': the dark side of the Industrial Revolution unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.