The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, combines the horrors of the human soul with a disgust for the Victorian importance of reputation. Stevenson delves into the darkest depths of humanity, and seems to discover what Sigmund Freud would not publish for another 15 years: the repression of the id, or the instinctive side of human nature, by the super-ego, or the part of us that holds on to the cultural ideals and rules we were raised with. Stevenson’s wife noted in her reading of his first draft of the novella that it read like an allegory, and indeed, it reflected the Victorian struggle of the "double self." The Victorian society in England was so caught up in morality and virtue, that many things deemed "fun" or "pleasurable" were termed sin. Piano legs were called "limbs" because the word "leg" was thought of as sinful. Stevenson explores this duality of human nature, of virtue for the sake of reputation, versus the need for freedom to keep from going insane—or, even worse, bored.
Student Activities for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essential Questions
- Are humans inherently good, or evil? Why?
- What are some of the darknesses that can be found within the human soul?
- What kinds of "monsters" does society fear most?
- When does science cross a line into "unethical"?
- When does freedom become dangerous?
- How do people let off steam? Does it help? Why?
What is a Doppelgänger?
In the simplest of terms, a doppelganger is someone’s twin, or double. Doppelgangers are sometimes used to reference celebrity lookalikes, or recent interesting news stories where people who look like twins meet on a plane. Sometimes, a doppelganger can be the "evil twin"; it can also be representative of a double-life.
- Have students look up examples of celebrity doppelgangers, superheroes who lead double lives, and famous (or infamous) people who lead double lives.
Psychology: Multiple Personality/Dissociative Identity Disorder
Could Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde ever happen in the real world? Yes! In fact, psychologists currently term this as Dissociative Identity Disorder (also called Multiple Personality Disorder).
Characteristics of DID
- Two or more distinct personalities are present in one individual
- Memory loss can be present when one personality is controlling the individual
- The identities are very separate from one another, and can range in age, gender, class, and even sexual orientation
- Some cases have shown up to 100 separate personalities in one individual
- While no one particular cause can be identified, many of the patients with DID report severe abuse during childhood; there is also evidence of a genetic link.
Have students look up some famous cases of people diagnosed with Multiple Personality/Dissociative Identity Disorder.
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How Tos about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Help students analyze character duality using graphic organizers
Introduce character mapping to visualize dual personalities. Graphic organizers help students separate traits, actions, and motivations of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, making abstract concepts concrete and accessible.
Guide students to identify traits of each persona
List observable behaviors, feelings, and choices for both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Encourage students to use specific examples from the text to clarify their thinking.
Facilitate discussion on how reputation shapes behavior
Prompt students to consider why Dr. Jekyll hides parts of himself. Connect the character’s choices to the Victorian society’s focus on reputation for deeper understanding.
Encourage students to create visual contrasts
Draw side-by-side portraits or diagrams of Jekyll vs. Hyde. This strengthens comprehension of duality and helps students remember key differences.
Wrap up with reflection on personal and literary dualities
Ask students to write or share examples of duality in themselves or in other stories. This builds empathy and connects literature to real life.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
What is the main theme of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
The main theme of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the duality of human nature, exploring how good and evil coexist within a person and the struggle between reputation and inner desires.
How can I teach the concept of a doppelganger using Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
Use Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to illustrate a doppelganger by discussing the idea of a double or twin self. Assign students to research celebrity lookalikes or fictional characters with double lives for engaging activities.
What are some quick activities for teaching Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in middle or high school?
Try activities like exploring essential questions about human nature, investigating doppelgangers, analyzing Victorian society's impact on the story, or comparing the novella to real cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder.
How does Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde relate to Dissociative Identity Disorder?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde parallels Dissociative Identity Disorder, as both involve two or more distinct personalities in one individual. The novella offers a fictional lens for discussing real psychological conditions.
What are essential questions for a lesson on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
Essential questions include: Are humans inherently good or evil? What darkness can be found within the soul? When does science become unethical? These prompts encourage deep discussion and critical thinking.
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