LO: I will understand the social and historical context of the Novella
‘Jekyll and Hyde’.
 Robert Louis Stevenson- writer
 Victorian era
Social anxieties:
Technological progress
 Science Vs. religion- Darwin publishes ‘The origin of species’
 .Humanities ‘primitive forms’ are publicly acknowledged
 Science considered dangerous- god should have control
Nature Vs. Supernatural
 Victorians' increasing sense of the conflict between science and religion was the idea
that humans have a dual nature.
 Explainable versus the inexplicable; the natural versus the supernatural; good versus
evil.
 Jack the Ripper murders occurred in London in 1888. In the minds of the Victorians,
they underlined the Jekyll and Hyde duality of human nature, especially as there was
discussion about the murderer being highly educated, or even of royal birth.
 desire, fear and indulgence in savagery/ primitive nature: being ‘civilised’ was
sought after, which lead to a fascination with instinctual indulgences
Monday
th
15
September
LO: I will understand the social and historical context of the Novella
‘Jekyll and Hyde’.
I will know 3 facts about Robert Louis Stevenson
I will know how Victorian people viewed nature and the super natural
I will know how the Victorian people viewed experimental science
Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-94
• Robert Louis Stevenson was a famous Victorian author. He mainly wrote
mystery and adventure stories, and his books are still read and enjoyed
today.
• Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1850. His family
were wealthy and, as a child, he was looked after by his nanny, Alison
Cunningham.
• Robert Louis Stevenson was a sickly child. He was exceedingly thin and frail,
and he suffered with coughs and fevers.
• Treasure island was first published as a book in 1883. It was very successful
and turned Robert Louis Stevenson into a well-known writer.
• Robert Louis Stevenson continued to experience health problems as an
adult. He suffered with chest infections and was often so ill he couldn’t
leave his bed.
• In 1886 he wrote both The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr
Hyde and Kidnapped. Much of the writing was done from his sickbed.
• In December 1894, Robert Louis Stevenson died. He was only 44 years old.
• He also rocked a hipster tashe.
Why might Stevenson’s health influence a
novel?
The Victorian era
and scientific
experimentation
• In 1859 Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species. This book
became famous for introducing the Theory of Evolution to the public.
• His theory had two main ideas: natural selection- where animals with
beneficial qualities reproduce more and that we evolve (change, grow
and adapt).
• This directly opposed Christianity and the idea of God’s creation.
Could it be true? Where we really descended from apes rather than
created in God’s image? Victorians were not sure.
The Victorian era and scientific
experimentation
• Many people saw it as an attack on religion, because the book made
it impossible to believe that God created the world in seven days.
• Darwin put forward the theory that all life, including humans, has
evolved from more primitive forms.
• The book's release came at a time when many people saw science
and a belief in religion and the supernatural as being at odds with
each another.
• A lot felt they had to choose between the two. And many believed
that science had become dangerous and was meddling in matters
which only God had control over.
Using your notes, write an explanation of how
Victorians felt about experimental science in
under 50 words.
Nature versus the supernatural
• Closely linked to the Victorians' increasing sense of the conflict
between science and religion was the idea that humans have a
dual nature.
• Victorians were ‘respectable’ people. Reputation was considered
very important and people were expected to repress some of their
more ‘natural’ instincts. (sexuality/ violence)
• On the one hand, they saw the calm, rational, everyday normality
of family life and employment; on the other, fantasies, nightmares,
anger and violence.
• It was the explainable versus the inexplicable; the natural versus
the supernatural; good versus evil. This is the duality the novel
explores.
Nature versus the supernatural
• The notorious Jack the Ripper murders occurred in London in 1888. In
the minds of the Victorians, they underlined the Jekyll and Hyde
duality of human nature, especially as there was discussion about the
murderer being highly educated, or even of royal birth.
Nature versus the supernatural
Yet in a century seemingly built on
reason there arose a profound
interest in the supernatural. Even a
new technology was coupled with
the public's interest in ghosts as
"spirit photographs," clever fakes
created by using double exposures,
became popular novelty items.
Using your notes, write an explanation of how
Victorians felt about nature (dual personality) in
under 50 words.
Using your notes, write an explanation of how
Victorians felt about the supernatural in under 50
words.
Are these Victorian social anxieties relevant today?
Do you agree with the following statements?
1- strongly agree
2- agree
3- don’t know
4- disagree
5- strongly disagree
Science is scary
People in society have 2 sides- one
respectable and fair, one mean and evil
If you cannot explain something- it’s God’s
work
It is important to hide some aspects of your
personality and act respectable at all times