How to Get a Grade 9 in Your Jekyll and Hyde GCSE: Top Quotes and Themes Explained
If you’re studying The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson for your GCSE English Literature exam, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re aiming for a strong pass or dreaming of a Grade 9, this guide will help you get there. We’ll break down the top quotes, key themes, and provide Grade 9-level analysis, including context, structure, and writer’s methods. Let’s dive in.
📖 Quick Summary: What Is Jekyll and Hyde About?
Before we get into analysis, here’s a brief reminder:
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a Gothic novella written in 1886. It tells the story of a respected doctor, Henry Jekyll, who creates a potion that transforms him into Edward Hyde—his evil, uninhibited alter ego. The story explores duality, repression, and the dark side of human nature.
🧠 Grade 9 Mindset: What the Examiner Wants
Examiners are looking for:
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Critical engagement with the text
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Insightful analysis of language, form, and structure
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Clear understanding of themes and context
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Thoughtful reference to writer’s intentions and effects
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Sophisticated use of evidence (quotes)
To hit those top bands, you must go beyond surface-level analysis. Don’t just say a quote “shows evil”—explain how and why Stevenson presents it that way, and what effect it has.
🎭 Theme 1: Duality of Human Nature
One of the most important themes in the novel is the idea that every person has both good and evil within them. Stevenson explores this through the characters of Jekyll and Hyde.
🔑 Top Quote:
“Man is not truly one, but truly two.”
🧠 Grade 9 Analysis:
This quote is crucial for understanding Stevenson’s message. The repetition of “truly” emphasises the inevitability and reality of duality in humans. It reflects Victorian fears about the hidden side of identity—the idea that even respectable people harbour dark impulses.
Link this to context: In Victorian society, especially in London, there was a public pressure to appear moral and civilised. But Stevenson suggests that beneath the surface, everyone struggles with inner conflict.
✨ Writer’s Methods:
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First-person narrative in Jekyll’s confession makes the theme personal and persuasive.
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The duality is also shown through symbolism—Jekyll’s laboratory (hidden, mysterious) contrasts with his home (respectable and neat).
🧟 Theme 2: The Nature of Evil
Hyde is not just a bad man—he’s the embodiment of pure evil.
🔑 Top Quote:
“Something troglodytic, shall we say?”
🧠 Grade 9 Analysis:
Mr. Hyde is described as primitive and sub-human. The word “troglodytic” means like a cave-man, implying that Hyde is regressive, a step backward in evolution. This connects with the Victorian fear of Darwinism and the idea that humans might descend back into savagery.
This also reflects the belief that evil is not just a moral failure but a biological and physical one. Stevenson plays on these fears to create a villain who is deeply disturbing.
✨ Context:
In 1886, Charles Darwin’s theories were still controversial. The Descent of Man (1871) suggested humans evolved from apes, which some saw as a threat to religion and morality. Stevenson taps into these anxieties to make Hyde more terrifying.
🕵️ Theme 3: Reputation and Respectability
The novel explores how Victorian gentlemen protected their public images while hiding their darker selves.
🔑 Top Quote:
“The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde. I choose to appear before the public in a more noble guise.”
🧠 Grade 9 Analysis:
This quote shows Jekyll’s arrogance and delusion—he thinks he can control his darker side. The word “guise” implies a mask, suggesting that his good behaviour is a performance.
Stevenson criticises the hypocrisy of the Victorian upper classes, who often pretended to be moral while indulging in vice secretly. Jekyll’s downfall shows the danger of denying or suppressing true desires.
💀 Theme 4: Science and the Supernatural
The novel reflects tensions between modern science and traditional beliefs.
🔑 Top Quote:
“Unscientific balderdash.”
This is what Dr Lanyon calls Jekyll’s experiments.
🧠 Grade 9 Analysis:
The word “balderdash” mocks Jekyll’s work as nonsense, showing how new scientific ideas were met with scepticism. Stevenson presents Jekyll as pushing the boundaries of knowledge, but at great cost.
The combination of rational science and supernatural horror creates tension. Jekyll’s transformation is never fully explained, adding a sense of mystery and fear of the unknown.
🏙️ Setting and Symbolism
The setting of Victorian London plays a key role in the novel’s atmosphere.
🔑 Top Quote:
“The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood.”
🧠 Grade 9 Analysis:
This description of Jekyll’s street shows the contrast between appearances and reality—a clean, respectable front hiding dark secrets. The setting mirrors Jekyll himself: respectable on the outside, corrupted within.
Similarly, Hyde’s door is described as “blistered and distained”, suggesting neglect, decay, and moral rot.
✨ Writer’s Method:
Stevenson uses pathetic fallacy and contrast to reflect character and theme. London becomes a metaphor for the human mind—bright and dark parts co-existing.
🧩 Structure: How the Story Is Told
The novella’s structure is key to its suspense and meaning.
📌 Key Points:
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Non-linear narrative: Events are revealed out of order, maintaining mystery.
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Multiple narrators: Utterson, Lanyon, and Jekyll all offer different perspectives.
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Final revelations: Jekyll’s and Lanyon’s confessions at the end re-frame the entire story.
This mirrors the theme of duality—we only get the full truth when all pieces come together. The hidden narrative reflects the hidden truth about human nature.
📚 Context: What Was Going On in Victorian England?
To get a top grade, you must understand the world Stevenson was writing in.
Key Context Points:
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Victorian repression: Society expected men to be moral, rational, and self-controlled.
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Scientific advancement: Darwin’s theories challenged religious views of creation.
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Gothic literature: Popular in the 19th century, often exploring horror, the supernatural, and the unknown.
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Crime and the city: London was a place of mystery, fog, and hidden crimes—perfect for a Gothic setting.
Stevenson uses these fears to make his story more relatable and terrifying for Victorian readers.
✍️ How to Use Quotes in Your Essay (And Impress the Examiner)
Just dropping in quotes isn’t enough. Use short, embedded quotes and analyse specific words. For example:
Instead of:
“Jekyll says he is not truly one but truly two. This shows duality.”
Write:
Stevenson’s repetition of “truly” in “not truly one, but truly two” highlights the authenticity and inevitability of human duality, suggesting Jekyll believes these opposing forces are fundamental to his identity.
📈 Top Tips to Hit a Grade 9
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Know the themes inside out – duality, good vs evil, science vs religion, repression, and appearance vs reality.
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Memorise 5–10 powerful quotes and practice zooming in on words.
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Use context wisely – don’t force it, but show how Victorian ideas influence the text.
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Analyse structure and language – think about why Stevenson chooses to withhold information.
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Use the writer’s name – “Stevenson presents…” shows you’re thinking about authorial intent.
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Plan your answers – intro, 3–4 analytical paragraphs, conclusion.
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Avoid plot summary – focus on analysis and interpretation.
🧪 Example Grade 9 Paragraph
Question: How does Stevenson present the duality of human nature in the novel?
Grade 9 Answer:
Stevenson presents duality as a fundamental and inescapable part of the human condition. In Jekyll’s confession, he claims “man is not truly one, but truly two,” suggesting that all individuals harbour both good and evil. The repetition of “truly” reinforces the authenticity of this belief, as though Jekyll has uncovered a deep psychological truth. Stevenson uses Jekyll and Hyde as allegorical figures, embodying the constant struggle between civilisation and savagery. This idea would have resonated with Victorian readers who, influenced by Darwin’s theories, feared the regression of man into a more primitive state. By portraying Hyde as physically smaller and more animalistic, Stevenson implies that although evil may be repressed, it still exists within all of us—ready to emerge when given the opportunity.
🏁 Conclusion: You’ve Got This
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde isn’t just a spooky story—it’s a powerful exploration of identity, morality, and society. By mastering the key themes, learning a few killer quotes, and understanding how Stevenson uses language and structure, you can turn your exam answer into a Grade 9 masterpiece.
Remember: it’s not about knowing everything—it’s about showing depth, clarity, and insight. Focus on quality over quantity, and always ask: Why does Stevenson do this? What effect does it have?
Good luck, and go smash that paper!
Also read this article about Jekyll and Hyde as well: https://englishmadesimple.org/how-to-get-a-grade-9-for-jekyll-and-hyde-in-gcse-english/