The duplicitous upper classes | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', whilst Jekyll is responsible for the creation of Hyde, it can be argued other characters are ...

Answer explanation

Exploring the complicity of other characters will help your analysis become more nuanced.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character is arguably complicit because they know the truth but refuse to reveal it?

• Mr. Utterson

• Mr. Enfield

• Dr. Lanyon

Answer explanation

Dr. Lanyon is arguably complicit because he reveals the truth in a letter, but asks for it to be locked away until the death or disappearance of Henry Jekyll.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which character is arguably complicit as they have access to the truth but choose not to try and find out it out?

• Mr. Utterson

• Mr. Enfield

• Dr. Lanyon

Answer explanation

Utterson's decision to keep the letter, which would reveal the truth about Hyde, in the "the inmost corner of his private safe" illustrates how he would rather protect the reputation of his friend, risking the safety of the London public.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', who shares the analogy comparing asking questions to rolling a stone down a hill?

• Mr. Utterson

• Mr. Enfield

• Dr. Lanyon

Answer explanation

Enfield, although a relatively minor character, can be seen as a vehicle for Stevenson's criticism of the hypocritical, upper-middle classes.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', which of the inferences below is the most logical to make about the stone analogy in Chapter 1?

• You should not ask questions as the truth could embarrass reputable families

• You should not ask questions as people may think your are nosey

• Asking questions could result in you being embarrassed by the answers

Answer explanation

This analogy reveals how Stevenson viewed some in the upper-middle classes would rather protect the reputation of their peers, rather than discover the truth of immoral behaviour.

In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it could be argued that Stevenson's purpose is to ...

• criticise all of the upper-middle classes

• criticise the upper-middle class hypocrites

• illustrate how immoral behaviour occurs across all social classes

• show that all people are immoral

Answer explanation

Perhaps Stevenson wanted to shine a light on how immorality happens across all social classes, yet it was often the poor, working-classes who were demonised for it. Often those casting judgement were hypocrites who also indulged in immoral behaviour.