Year 11: Jekyll and Hyde Knowledge Organiser – English Literature Paper One

Literary Motifs, Symbols and Allusions Essential Events

1 Biblical Allusion
“like some Babylonian finger on the wall” – a religious reference
foreshadowing Jekyll’s death. Religious references mixed with science
2 Classical Allusions
“would have estranged Damon and Pythias” – references to stories
throughout, in this case showing two friends unquestionable loyalty
3 Motif of Fire
The theme of fire is present throughout the text – connotes to Hyde,
the house in chapter 1 – “like a fire in a forest” – deadly and destructive
4 Motif of Lamplight
Lamplight exposes the crimes that take place at night and break
through the darkness
12 The Story of the Door
Hyde “tramples calmly” over a child and produces a cheque signed by
Jekyll. Symbolism of the door and foreshadowing established.
13 The murder of Sir Danvers Carew
A year without any negative incidents with Hyde changes with the brutal
murder of Carew, a politician, killed “with ape-like fury”
14 Dr Jekyll’s Statement of the case
Epistolary novella, Dr Jekyll narrates and justifies the events that took
place. Demonstrates his own inner conflict and repression as well as his
findings that “man is not truly one but truly two”

5 Symbolism of doors
Conceals secrets – Dr Jekyll’s “cabinet” and the door in chapter 1 both
connote to the occupants

6 Symbolism within the setting

“premature twilight” – duality within the atmosphere – mixture between
light and dark – duality is inescapable.
Theory and Lenses Writer
7 Marxist Theory 15 Charles Darwin
The role the class plays in the text – focus placed on the upper class Evolution theory – direct challenge to religious teachings – explored the
throughout primitive nature of man
8 Queer Theory 16 Deacon Brodie
Some may argue that Jekyll “conceals his pleasures” as a repression Cabinet Maker – duality through his criminal activities at night compared to
of his own sexuality day
9 Freudian Lens 17 Sigmund Freud
Exploration of the human condition and mind – psychological analysis Psychologist – explored the three levels of personality (psychoanalytic) as
of the characters’ behaviour well as the theory of the uncanny
10 Religious Lens 18 The Gothic
Morality explored in contrast with scientific discovery – characters Victorian literary genre – Frankenstein and Dracula were potential
battling between religion and science. influences for Stevenson
11 Contemporary Lens 19 Duality
Repression of behaviours – including feelings and desires as well as Scientists, Jack the Ripper, Victorian Gentlemen – secret lives and dual
interests. identities