How does Stevenson present Hyde as a terrifying figure? Help plz GCSE

Could someone please read through my first paragraph and my lame introduction to point out some points to improve on please?

How does Stevenson present Hyde as a terrifying figure?

Stevenson’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ is a Victorian gothic novel which explorers the features of duality of man, something very common in his era. The novel zooms in man’s nature contradicting itself and expounds of Malraux’s ‘man is not who he thinks he is, he is what he hides’ which is displayed through Hyde’s hedonistic behaviour to see the terrifying truth of what Jekyll tries to conceal.

Stevenson’s character of Hyde is presented as a powerful embodiment of what upper class Victorian gentlemen accepted as their behaviour through the depths and darkness of night where they could fulfil their true desires and emotions. This included their feen for lust and alcohol, as this would’ve ruined their reputation during broad daylight. Darkness is a key motif throughout this novel, as we explore how the darkness of man leads to a tragic downfall which results in the suicide of Hyde. At the start of the novel, when we are first introduced of Hyde, Stevenson presents Hyde as a terrifying figure using ‘broke out in a great flame of anger’. The writer’s clever use of this metaphor sums up our first impression of Hyde. The noun phrase ‘broke out’ exemplifies feelings of liberty, almost as if Hyde has been repressing this true and authentic side of him. This could relate to Hyde stepping up to societal expectations and his id giving into his devilish nature. Alternatively, it could give us an insight of his violent as ‘broke out’ proves his courage to combat. The adjective ‘great flame’ illustrates his impulsive anger and rekindled aggression. It encourages the excessive force of destruction and his power. It can be argued that Hyde sees himself superior to other gentlemen as he contains the freedom that others lack. However, the ‘great flame’ could resemble the depths of hell, and how his figure of Hyde contrasts from others as he can be portrayed as the devil amongst angels from heaven (the Victorian gentlemen who commit these sinful deeds isolated from others). The abstract noun ‘anger’ establishes his primitive desire which would portray him as devolved and caveman-like. His power to express his ‘anger’ automatically gives him an egotistical behaviour as he has the independence to perform, actions others like him cannot do. Through Freud’s theory of personality, the key aspect of Hyde’s nature can be portrayed through the belief of his Id, Superego and Ego. Hyde’s Id is his evil desires which he aspires for unconsciously. His Superego is bordered by the expectations of society, for example Jekyll would repress his desires because they aren’t applicable for an upper-class Victorian gentleman. Hyde’s ego is demonstrated through his actions for example his violent acts. Stevenson continues to express the character of Hyde as terrifying through his choice of imagery, ‘bones were audibly shattered’. The noun ‘bones’ expounds on a skeletal structure which he destroys. This could be seen ironic as a Victorian audience would believe purely in the fact of Hyde not being human, he is more animalistic and really his features of inhumanity can be solely demonstrated by the way he thinks and acts towards his emotions. ‘Audibly’ exemplifies the sickening sound which doesn’t faze through him proving he has no ‘heart’ or empathic emotion which would relate to Hyde being more on the animalistic side than humane. Stevenson’s use of the adjective ‘shattered’ ideals how Hyde is a concentrated form of everything Jekyll chooses to block and repress. Stevenson’s choice of Hyde’s nature could be a clever way of Hyde being a microcosm for the entire Victorian society that walk amongst each other, who create a front that highlights them as innocent and pure but realistically, they are all sinful and just as bad as each other. I believe that a Victorian audience, particularly upper-class gentlemen, would find a relief in the character of Hyde as they would have a deep personal connection because they could relate to the character themselves.

Reply 1

Liqht

I didn't read it all, but it seems pretty good, just wanted to know who Malraux is and how he has a connection to Jekyll and Hyde, I haven't learned this, so I'd be interested to know if that's alright : )

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