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Starting with this extract, explore how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as a threatening and dangerous character - AQA - GCSE English Literature - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 7
Starting with this extract, explore how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as a threatening and dangerous character. Write about: - how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde in t... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Starting with this extract, explore how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as a threatening and dangerous character - AQA - GCSE English Literature - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde in this extract
Answer
In the provided extract, Mr Hyde is presented as a threatening figure through the violent encounter he has with a young girl. The imagery used, such as 'black winter morning', contributes to a sense of foreboding and dread. The encounter is described as chaotic, with Hyde's lack of empathy and his violent reaction symbolizing the embodiment of evil and unrestrained instincts. Enfield's response to Hyde's actions emphasizes the shock and horror he evokes in others, portraying him as a character who subverts social norms and instills fear. Additionally, the description of Hyde as part of a procession, yet appearing 'as empty as a church', further reinforces the idea of spiritual emptiness that he represents.
Step 2
how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as threatening and dangerous in the novel as a whole
Answer
Throughout the novel, Mr Hyde stands as a pivotal representation of the darker impulses of humanity. His violent acts, such as the murder of Sir Danvers Carew, serve to illustrate his nature as inherently dangerous. The varied reactions to Hyde underscore societal anxieties regarding morality and civility; he challenges accepted conventions and embodies repressed fears. Moreover, Dr. Lanyon's horrified response to Hyde illustrates the challenge to rationality and science posed by Hyde's very existence. Hyde's duality as 'really like Satan' encapsulates the fundamental moral conflict and the pervasive sense of danger he represents throughout the narrative, culminating in a powerful critique of the Victorian societal values.