The Duality of Man in Jekyll and Hyde: What It Means and Why It Matters for Your GCSE
If you’re studying Jekyll and Hyde for GCSE English Literature, you’ve probably heard your teacher talk about the duality of man. It’s one of the key themes in the novel, and understanding it properly will help you answer exam questions with confidence.
As a former Head of English and GCSE examiner, here’s a simple explanation of what this theme means, how it appears in the story, and why it’s so important for your exam.
Visualising the duality of man in Jekyll and Hyde – a key GCSE theme
✅ What Does ‘Duality of Man’ Mean?
It’s the idea that every person has two sides to their personality: a respectable, civilised side and a darker, more dangerous side. In the Victorian era, people were expected to hide their sinful thoughts and urges. Stevenson uses Dr Jekyll’s character to show what can happen when people try to separate these two sides.
✅ How Is It Shown in the Novel?
Dr Jekyll creates Mr Hyde to live out his violent, selfish desires without damaging his reputation.
The more Jekyll gives in to Hyde’s behaviour, the stronger Hyde becomes.
Eventually, Jekyll loses control of his darker side, and it leads to murder and destruction.
Through this, Stevenson explores how dangerous it is to deny or repress parts of human nature.
✅ Why It’s Important in Your GCSE Exam
You’ll need to explain:
How Stevenson presents this idea through Jekyll and Hyde.
What it reveals about Victorian society’s expectations and fears.
How the theme links to the novel’s setting, language and structure.
Why it’s still relevant today.
Final Thoughts
The duality of man is one of those themes that’s easy to mention, but harder to explain well in an essay. A little extra support breaking down quotes, unpacking Stevenson’s message and practising essay questions can help you turn a pass into a top grade.
If you’d like expert help with Jekyll and Hyde, essay writing, or GCSE English revision, I have limited tutoring slots available both online and in-person across Cheshire, Trafford and South Manchester. Get in touch today to find out more.