Chapter 1 – Story of the Door
- In the beginning of the book, the
readers are presented with what seems like a detective novel, beginning
with a sinister figure, a mysterious act of violence, and hints of
blackmail and secret scandal. Give
examples from the text (direct quotations) that indicate these
aspects. Include the phrases and
page numbers.
- What of the characteristics of the two
men,
- Victorian society highly valued
reputation, even at times at the expense of reality. What ideas about reputation can you draw
from this first chapter?
- A major theme of this book is the
conflict between the rational (reasonable, logical) and the supernatural
(otherworldly, metaphysical). What
examples of this conflict do you find in the first chapter?
Chapter 2 – Search for Mr. Hyde
- What causes Mr. Utterson to be concerned
about Dr. Jekyll, and what does he do about it?
- What significance does his dream
have? What affect does it have on
the plot? On the atmosphere?
Symbolically?
- Describe Hyde’s appearance. Give specific details (along with page
numbers). What significance does
the word “troglodyte” have?
- What is Dr. Lanyon’s relationship to Dr.
Jekyll? Describe his opinions and
response to Jekyll’s experiments.
Chapter 3 – Dr. Jekyll Was Quite at Ease
- What attracted people to spending time
with Utterson? What was Jekyll’s
opinion of him?
- What reasons does Jekyll give for his
interest in Hyde? Are they
acceptable to Utterson? Why? Why not?
- Why do you think Jekyll asks for justice
for Hyde?
Chapter 4 – The Carew Murder Case
- How much later does the next part of the
story take place?
- List 5 new characteristics that the
readers learn about Hyde.
- How can Hyde be viewed as
“otherworldly” as a result of this
chapter and the author’s descriptions?
Chapter 5 – Incident of the Letter
- How does Utterson behave like the proper
Victorian English gentleman?
- How is the importance of reputation
expressed in this chapter? Which is
more important? Reputation or
truth? Outward appearances or evil potential?
- How is
- One analysis of this book says that much
“of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is
written in a brisk, businesslike, and factual way, like a police report on
a strange affair rather than a novel.”
Do you agree or disagree?
Why? Give specific examples
from the book to back up your opinion.
Chapter 6 – Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon
- How is Jekyll different when Hyde is not
around?
- Describe Dr. Lanyon’s condition and
situation. How does he account for
his condition?
- What might be the reason for the author
not telling us exactly what happened to Lanyon? What other important details are left
unexplained at this point?
- Why is Utterson both desirous AND
reluctant about seeing Jekyll again?
Chapter 7 – Incident at the Window
- When Jekyll talks to Utterson and
- What does Jekyll mean when he says “It
will not last very long” to the men?
- How did their conversation end? What do you think happened?
Chapter 8 – The Last Night
- How would you describe Jekyll’s butler,
- What was the weather like when they
hurry to Jekyll’s house? What
specific language does Stevenson use?
How does this affect the story?
- Appearances and decorum continue to be
important to Utterson. Give
examples from this chapter.
- What reasonable and, to him, logical
explanations does Utterson give for the present situation and for
- Gothic literature often conveys a sense
of the uncanny, of dark and disturbing events or deep secrets that break
upon everyday life. Could this book
be considered a gothic novel?
Explain.
- Give 5 – 6 words that describe the
atmosphere of this chapter.
Chapter 9 – Dr. Lanyon’s Narrative
- What mysteries are cleared up in this
chapter? What details remain
unclear or unexplained?
- Why were Jekyll’s experiments with
“transcendental medicine” and its results so shocking to Lanyon?
Chapter 10 – Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of
the Case
- Describe the struggle that Jekyll, as a
young man, had between his good side and his bad side. Give specifics from the story.
- What was the dual life that he led?
- Why was Hyde smaller in stature? What were his other physical
characteristics?
- Why did Jekyll cave in and take the
potion after repressing Hyde?
- What further points of the mystery of
Jekyll and Hyde are cleared up? Do
any questions remain unanswered?
- What motivated Jekyll in the first
place? What drove him to separate his personalities?
Ala Carte Responses
Any of the activities
below can be substituted for one of the weekly study guide questions. Some options could be repeated as long as it
is a new response that relates to the assigned reading.
1.
Create a new book cover.
2.
Select 3 – 5 quotes that sum up the selection or
especially highlight a specific quality of a character, the setting, or the
plot.
3.
Write a paragraph that describes your relationship with
a grandparent.
4.
Write a paragraph about someone from your past who is
especially memorable.
5.
Write a text conversation that coincides with an actual
conversation or “could have happened.”
6.
Write a series of Facebook posts for the plot of the
section.
7.
Write a paragraph that starts “I would change . . .”
that relates to the assigned reading.
8.
Write a poem that relates to the assigned reading.
9.
Illustrate a scene.
10. Create
a found poem. To create a concrete found
poem, students must only use words, phrases or even whole sentences “found” in
their text. Then, they must shape these words into a visual representation on
paper. They are not drawing; they must arrange the words, phrases, or sentences
into an image on the page.
11. Make
a character “To Do” list.
12. Write
a set of 5 – 6 postcards that one of the characters might send to someone.
13. Create
a soundtrack or playlist that relates to the assigned reading.
14. Write
diary entries that relate to the assigned reading.
15. Put
together a cast for a film version of the book
16. Write
a radio play excerpt that relates to the assigned reading.
17. Write
a letter to the author that relates to the assigned reading.
18. Write
a letter to one of the characters that relates to the assigned reading.
19. Design/draw
the clothing of one of the characters that relates to the assigned reading.
20. Make
a word game, such as a crossword or word search, that relates to the assigned
reading.
21. Write
up a quiz that relates to the assigned reading.
22. Draw
a comic strip that relates to the assigned reading.
23. Write
a paragraph that starts “I wonder why . . .” that relates to the assigned
reading.
24. Rewrite
a paragraph in a different style. For
example, write it in a “flowery” over-dramatic style or as a play or as slang,
etc.
25. Design
a t-shirt that relates to the assigned reading.
26. Make
a collage that relates to the assigned reading.
27. Design/draw
a timeline that relates to the assigned reading
28. Draw
a map that relates to the assigned reading.
29. Compare
two characters that relates to the assigned reading.
30. Find
or create a recipe for one of the foods mentioned.
