Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Grades 9–1) York Notes

The novel shows humans as naturally composed of two conflicting parts, one good and one evil, which drive us towards generous or selfish deeds.

Few things are as they seem in the novel. People make wrong assumptions and mistakes, and the respectable Jekyll is also the terrible Hyde.

The novel suggests that science has unlocked many secrets of the human body and could unlock more. It can be used responsibly, or unleash harm.

The law is established as a way of trying to regulate the chaos of life, but the novella does not show it succeeding.

In the novella, deeds and personal views are shown to test, strengthen, or destroy friendships. Acts carried out in the name of friendship drive the plot forwards.