How does the Victorian 'Gentleman's Code' differ from modern social standards of behavior?

The Victorian code was far more rigid, prioritizing public reputation and 'restraint' over personal authenticity. Failure to maintain this facade could lead to total social ostracization, whereas modern standards often value individual expression.

What is the distinction between Dr. Lanyon's and Dr. Jekyll's approach to science?

Lanyon practices 'orthodox' or materialist science, which is grounded in observable reality and traditional morality. Jekyll practices 'transgressive' or metaphysical science, attempting to manipulate the human soul and transcend physical boundaries.

How does the 'Urban Gothic' setting of London differ from traditional 18th-century Gothic settings?

Traditional Gothic settings used remote castles or ruins to create horror. Urban Gothic brings that horror into the heart of the modern city, using fog, dark alleys, and the duality of wealthy vs. poor districts to reflect internal psychological states.

What is a common error when interpreting the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde?

The most common error is viewing them as two separate people. Contextually, they represent the 'dual nature of man'; Hyde is the physical manifestation of Jekyll's own repressed, primitive instincts, not an external monster.

Why is it a mistake to view Hyde's 'deformity' as a purely physical condition?

In the context of Victorian physiognomy, physical deformity was seen as a direct reflection of a deformed soul. Hyde's 'indescribable' deformity represents his moral atavism and lack of human empathy rather than a specific medical ailment.

What error do students make when discussing the 'victory' of evil at the end of the novella?

Students often focus only on the horror, missing the contextual point that the 'tragedy' is the failure of Victorian society to allow for a healthy integration of the 'dual' self, leading to Jekyll's self-destruction.

Define 'Atavism' in the context of Victorian scientific anxiety.

Atavism is the fear that humans could 'devolve' or revert to the primitive behaviors and physical traits of their evolutionary ancestors. This is reflected in the description of Hyde as 'ape-like' and 'troglodytic.'

What was the 'Victorian Crisis of Faith'?

It was a period of widespread religious doubt triggered by scientific discoveries, most notably Darwin's theory of evolution, which contradicted the literal interpretation of the Bible and the idea of man as a divine creation.

Define the 'Doppelgänger' trope in Gothic literature.

A Doppelgänger is a 'double' or alter-ego of a character, often representing the hidden, darker, or repressed aspects of their personality that they cannot acknowledge in their everyday life.

Why was the concept of 'Original Sin' relevant to the Victorian reception of the novella?

The Christian doctrine of Original Sin suggests that all humans are born with an inherent capacity for evil. Jekyll's struggle to separate his 'good' and 'evil' halves resonates with this religious framework of an internal moral battle.

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Context | WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Context

Summary

The context of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella is rooted in the profound anxieties of the late Victorian era, a period characterized by a rigid social code of respectability, the unsettling emergence of Darwinian evolutionary theory, and the birth of modern psychology. Understanding these historical, scientific, and literary frameworks is essential for interpreting the duality of the characters and the urban Gothic setting of London.

1. Definition & Core Concepts: The Victorian Social Code

Victorian Respectability: The 19th-century social landscape was governed by a strict moral code that prioritized reputation, restraint, and public decorum above all else.
The 'Gentleman' Ideal: Men of the professional class were expected to maintain a flawless public image, often leading to the repression of natural instincts or 'shameful' desires to avoid social ruin.
Duality of Sphere: Society was sharply divided between the 'Public Sphere' of work and church and the 'Private Sphere' where hidden vices were often indulged in secret, creating a culture of hypocrisy.

Diagram showing the split between the Public Persona (orderly, bright) and the Private Reality (shadowy, repressed) in Victorian society.

2. Underlying Principles: Scientific Anxiety & Darwinism

Evolutionary Theory: Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859) challenged the religious view of divine creation, suggesting humans evolved from primitive ancestors.
Fear of Regression (Atavism): This scientific shift sparked a 'crisis of faith' and a terrifying fear that humans could 'devolve' or revert to a primitive, animalistic state if social controls failed.
Physiognomy: A popular pseudo-science of the time which claimed that a person's character and morality could be determined by their physical features, particularly facial 'deformities' or 'ape-like' traits.

3. Methods & Techniques: The Urban Gothic Genre

Urban Gothic: Stevenson adapted traditional Gothic tropes (castles, ghosts) to the modern, foggy streets of London, using the city's geography to mirror the characters' internal duality.
The Doppelgänger: A literary device where a character is shadowed by an alter-ego or 'double' who represents their suppressed darker half.
Epistolary Narrative: The use of multiple documents (letters, testimonies, and diaries) creates a sense of scientific objectivity while slowly revealing a supernatural horror.

4. Key Distinctions: Materialist vs. Transgressive Science

5. Exam Strategy & Tips: Integrating Context

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions