Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Writer's Methods & Techniques

Non-linear structure allows Stevenson to reveal information gradually, using delayed confession and retrospective letters to shift reader understanding. This structure supports themes of hidden identity and moral fragmentation.

Multiple narrative viewpoints provide varied interpretations of the same events, emphasising subjectivity and uncertainty. Readers learn how different observers respond to the same character, reinforcing the idea that moral truth is difficult to define.

Gothic conventions such as mystery, horror, and the uncanny enable readers to explore psychological fear indirectly. These conventions highlight the instability of human identity and the danger of suppressed impulses.

Symbolic settings, such as contrasting neighbourhoods or architectural barriers, embody internal conflict. Physical spaces become metaphors for moral and psychological complexity.

Motifs such as fog, darkness, and doors create patterns that remind readers of central themes. Effective motif use allows a narrative to layer meaning without repeating ideas explicitly.

Contrast between symbolism and literal description: Symbolism conveys abstract meaning, while literal description provides concrete detail. Understanding when each is used helps explain subtle layers of interpretation.

Difference between motif and theme: A motif is a recurring symbol or image, while a theme is an abstract idea developed through narrative events. Recognising the distinction helps students avoid conflating evidence with argument.

Always link method to meaning, not just identification. Instead of stating that a technique appears, explain how it deepens a theme or shapes the reader’s interpretation.

Comment on structural placement by analysing why a detail appears at a specific moment. Writers position events deliberately, so timing is part of analysis.

Trace development, not isolated quotations. Examiners reward responses that show how a technique evolves across the narrative.

Focus on the writer’s intention, using phrases like “Stevenson emphasises…”, which demonstrate awareness of deliberate construction.

Prioritise high-value techniques such as narrative perspective, symbolism, structural delay, and atmosphere — these yield stronger insights than simplistic spotting of devices.

Listing devices without analysis weakens responses because it shows recognition rather than understanding. Instead, each device must be linked to an effect and theme.

Treating the narrator as objective ignores that perspective is shaped by viewpoint. Students must recognise subjectivity within the narrative.

Forgetting the constraints of genre can lead to misinterpretation. Understanding Gothic conventions helps explain why horror and secrecy dominate the narrative.

Assuming symbols have one meaning oversimplifies interpretation; effective analysis acknowledges ambiguity, especially in psychological fiction.

Ignoring structure results in missed opportunities, as structural techniques are central to how the novella’s mystery unfolds.

Links to Gothic literature demonstrate how Stevenson adapts conventions such as confinement, the monstrous, and the supernatural to explore psychological themes.

Connections to detective fiction explain the novella’s focus on clues, misdirection, and evidence-based reasoning. These features emphasise the tension between rational inquiry and irrational forces.

Moral and philosophical frameworks can extend analysis: ideas from psychology, religion, or social theory deepen understanding of why characters behave as they do.

Comparing narrative structure with other framed or epistolary works helps students appreciate how perspective shapes reader interpretation.

Understanding Victorian cultural anxieties explains the emphasis on secrecy, respectability, and scientific risk-taking in the narrative.