Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Understanding the Text

Reading a text written in a previous century, or in another country, or with characters given a strong dialect, takes extra effort. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is written in a style and vocabulary significantly different from modern English, thus requiring modern readers to work more at comprehension.

Authors convey meaning through using a variety of methods. They might not state what they mean directly, or simply, instead communicating with their readers through the various aspects of fiction: character, setting, plot, theme and dialog, for example. As you work on understanding the text you are reading, analyze each of these elements separately. Re-reading the text is always a good idea; this will help you understand more than you would if you only read a book once. If you find that you need to re-read sections of text, don’t worry! Most readers have this experience. And if you have to work a bit harder to understand a part of the text which you find tricky, it only proves that you are paying close attention to its intricacies!

Ask yourself how the context, setting and events of the text are related. It can be useful to make a timeline of events, a method of revision which will help develop your understanding of the text. Remember that events in a novel are not always related chronologically, so your timeline should account for flashbacks or for earlier events which are discovered in later chapters. In Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Mr Utterson only discovers the truth about the secret at the heart of the story through reading written accounts.

Think about how the actions of characters reveal their motivations. Look for clues to explain the interactions of different characters. Ask yourself whether words can be taken at face value, or whether you should examine the subtext of those words more closely. What is the narrator’s role? Think about your reasoning as you begin to answer these questions, asking yourself how you could use details from the text in order to justify your views.

It is always a good idea to analyze the beginnings and endings in the text. Why might the text begin as it does? What do you learn at the very beginning of the novel about the setting and the characters? Can you identify the foreshadowing of future events? You should also consider the beginnings and the ends of significant chapters, too. By spending some time in careful and detailed analysis of this sort, you will be able to significantly improve your knowledge and understanding of the text.

Read the questions below on Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and test your knowledge and understanding of the text.