Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Mr Edward Hyde Character Analysis
Evolutionary Regression: Hyde is frequently described using animalistic terms such as 'ape-like fury,' 'snarled,' and 'troglodytic.' These terms reflect Victorian anxieties regarding Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, specifically the fear that humans could 'regress' into primitive, beast-like states.
Savage Nature: By calling Hyde 'hardly human' and 'savage,' Stevenson positions him outside the boundaries of civilization. He represents a 'throwback' to a pre-moral state of existence where violence is the primary mode of interaction.
Lack of Language: Hyde often communicates through hisses, snarls, or fragmented, abrupt speech. This lack of refined language further emphasizes his distance from the 'gentlemanly' world of Victorian London.
| Feature | Dr Henry Jekyll | Mr Edward Hyde |
|---|---|---|
| Physicality | Large, well-made, smooth-faced | Small, dwarfish, deformed |
| Social Standing | Respected doctor, charitable | Loathed outcast, criminal |
| Moral State | Conflicted (Good vs. Evil) | Purely Evil |
| Movement | Stately, controlled | Impulsive, 'trampling', 'stamping' |
Analyze the 'Feeling': When writing about Hyde, focus on the reaction of other characters. Stevenson uses the revulsion felt by Utterson, Enfield, and Lanyon to characterize Hyde's evil without needing to describe specific physical features.
Contextual Links: Always connect Hyde to Victorian Repression. Explain that Hyde is a 'creature' of the city's strict moral codes; the more Jekyll suppresses his desires, the more violent Hyde becomes when finally released.
Symbolism of the Name: Note the pun on the name 'Hyde.' He represents the part of the self that people 'hide' from society, and Utterson’s line 'If he be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek' highlights the detective-novel structure of uncovering the hidden self.
The 'Separate Person' Fallacy: A common mistake is treating Hyde as a separate entity or a demon that possessed Jekyll. It is vital to argue that Hyde is Jekyll—specifically, the part of Jekyll that he refused to acknowledge or integrate into his public life.
Over-describing Deformity: Do not try to invent a specific physical disability for Hyde. Stevenson intentionally leaves the deformity vague to make it more unsettling and to emphasize that it is a spiritual, rather than physical, corruption.
Ignoring the 'Calm': Students often focus only on Hyde's 'fury.' However, the description of him 'trampling calmly' over the child is arguably more terrifying because it shows a complete, cold indifference to human suffering.