CBSE Class 10 English Notes: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
This chapter by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic Gothic tale exploring the dual nature of humanity—the struggle between good and evil. It tells the story of Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, and his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde.
Summary
- Dr. Jekyll is a respected scientist and gentleman living in London.
- He is fascinated by human nature and desires to separate the good and evil sides of personality.
- Through scientific experiments, he creates a potion that transforms him into Mr. Hyde, the embodiment of his evil side.
- As Mr. Hyde, he commits immoral and violent acts, free from social and moral restraints.
- Initially, Dr. Jekyll enjoys the freedom of his darker side, but soon loses control over the transformations.
- Mr. Hyde’s personality grows stronger, and Jekyll becomes trapped in his evil persona.
- Eventually, the duality leads to tragic consequences, and Dr. Jekyll cannot escape the overpowering evil of Mr. Hyde.
- The story concludes with a moral lesson about human nature, ethical responsibility, and the dangers of unchecked desires.
Character Sketch
Dr. Henry Jekyll
- Respected, intelligent, and curious scientist.
- Struggles with the dual nature of his personality.
- Represents the good, moral side of humanity.
- His desire to escape social constraints and explore evil leads to his downfall.
Mr. Edward Hyde
- Embodiment of Dr. Jekyll’s evil side.
- Immoral, violent, and unscrupulous.
- Represents unchecked desires, temptation, and the darker side of human nature.
Supporting Characters
- Mr. Utterson – Lawyer and friend of Jekyll, investigates the mystery of Hyde.
- Poole – Jekyll’s loyal servant who notices changes in his master.
- Victims of Hyde – Illustrate the consequences of evil actions.
Themes
- Duality of Human Nature: Every individual has both good and evil tendencies.
- Consequences of Unchecked Desires: Indulging in immoral acts leads to personal and social destruction.
- Ethics vs Ambition: Scientific curiosity without ethical boundaries can have disastrous consequences.
- Reputation and Society: Social pressure and fear of judgment influence behavior.
- Gothic Fiction: Themes of suspense, horror, and moral conflict are central.
Important Extracts
“Man is not truly one, but truly two; and the struggle between good and evil defines human life.”
Highlights the central theme of duality in human nature.
“Dr. Jekyll’s ambition to separate his darker self leads to disastrous consequences.”
Shows the dangers of unchecked desires and moral experimentation.
“Mr. Hyde’s actions reflect the freedom from moral and social restraint, but with inevitable tragedy.”
Emphasizes the story’s moral about responsibility and ethical behavior.
Moral / Lessons
- Human nature has both good and evil, and moral choices define character.
- Unchecked desires and unethical experiments can have tragic consequences.
- Ethics and responsibility are essential in scientific and personal life.
- Social pressure cannot justify immoral actions.
- Self-awareness and restraint are vital to prevent one’s darker tendencies from taking over.
Vocabulary & Key Terms
- Duality: The quality of having two contrasting sides.
- Ethics: Moral principles guiding behavior.
- Ambition: Strong desire to achieve something, often driving actions.
- Immorality: Behavior that violates ethical or moral standards.
- Gothic: Style characterized by suspense, horror, and mystery.
- Consequence: Result or effect of an action.
- Restraint: Control over one’s actions or emotions.
Exam Tips
- For summary, focus on Dr. Jekyll’s experiment, the creation of Mr. Hyde, and the consequences.
- For character analysis, discuss the dual nature of Jekyll and Hyde.
- Use extracts to illustrate themes of morality, duality, and ethical responsibility.
- Explain moral lessons emphasizing the importance of self-restraint, ethics, and awareness of human nature.