Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8702

8 hours125 questions
1
1 mark

During the Victorian era, what was a key aspect of society, as exemplified in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

  • equality between the rich and poor

  • respectability and strict social codes

  • the advancement of rural communities

  • the celebration of emotional expression

2
1 mark

What societal change resulted from the Industrial Revolution and is reflected in the setting?

  • a return to rural living

  • improved living conditions for the poor

  • the migration of the wealthy to the countryside

  • a shift to a technology and industry-based city life

3
1 mark

Which phrase best captures Stevenson’s description of London in the novella?

  • a paradise of opportunity

  • a city of equality

  • a place of duality and contrast

  • a utopia for the wealthy and poor alike

4
1 mark

What does the fog symbolise?

  • mystery, secrecy and a gothic atmosphere

  • the industrial progress of London

  • the prosperity of Victorian society

  • the clear moral divisions between characters

5
1 mark

How is Hyde’s appearance described in relation to Christian beliefs?

  • as “angelic” and pure

  • as “devilish” and linked to evil

  • as “godlike” in power

  • as an “innocent” and misunderstood creature

6
1 mark

What scientific concept, respected in the 19th century, does Stevenson explore through the character of Hyde?

  • evolutionary biology

  • physiology

  • physiognomy

  • quantum physics

7
1 mark

Which event in the 19th century significantly challenged the religious views held by many Victorians?

  • the discovery of gravity

  • the theory of evolution

  • the Industrial Revolution

  • the rise of the middle class

8
1 mark

Summarise the effect the Industrial Revolution had on London’s social divide, as depicted in the novella.

  •  It created unity between the wealthy and poor.

  • It caused the poor to move to the countryside.

  • It completely eradicated social inequality.

  • It led to a stark contrast between affluent and poverty-stricken areas.

9
1 mark

Explain how Victorian social standards influences Jekyll’s behaviour.

  • Jekyll suppresses his desires to maintain a respectable image.

  • Jekyll embraces his darker desires openly.

  • Jekyll’s social status allows him to ignore all expectations.

  • Jekyll rejects Victorian norms entirely.

10
1 mark

Comment on how Stevenson uses the character of Utterson to explore Victorian ideas of respectability.

  • Utterson is portrayed as reckless and impulsive, breaking social norms.

  • Utterson is shown to embrace emotional expression freely.

  • Utterson’s restrained and respectable demeanour reflects the ideals of Victorian gentlemen.

  • Utterson frequently abandons his principles in moments of crisis.

1
1 mark

Explain why repression is a key theme in the novella.

  • Repression allows Jekyll to live openly as both Jekyll and Hyde.

  • Repression leads Jekyll to create Hyde to explore his inner desires without ruining his reputation.

  • Repression is not important in the novella, as Victorian society encouraged self-expression.

  • Repression is mainly significant for minor characters like Utterson and Lanyon.

2
1 mark

Explain how the setting of London reflects the theme of secrecy and hidden corruption.

  • London is portrayed as a city where everyone is open and honest, with equal access to everything.

  • The overcrowded city allows sinister individuals, like Hyde, to hide in plain sight, reflecting the idea that corruption can remain concealed within society.

  • The city’s large population discourages crime, ensuring that people’s actions are always monitored.

  • London is depicted as a rural and peaceful place, far removed from the problems of urban living.

3
1 mark

Summarise the connection between the rise of psychology in the 19th century and the portrayal of Jekyll’s character.

  • Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde mirrors the growing Victorian interest in the inner workings of the human psyche, particularly the idea of mental conflict and degeneration.

  • Jekyll is depicted as a perfectly rational character, unaffected by the psychological challenges of his time, whereas Hyde is symbolic of madness.

  • Stevenson uses Jekyll’s character to dismiss the new psychological ideas emerging in the 19th century.

  • Jekyll’s mental state remains stable throughout the novella, showing no sign of degeneration or conflict.

4
1 mark

Suggest how the contrasting descriptions of London in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde reflect the novella’s theme of duality.

  • The descriptions reveal that the city is focused on technological progress and wealth.

  • The juxtaposition of wealthy and impoverished areas highlights the duality between respectability and hidden corruption.

  • The descriptions suggest that London is free from crime and poverty, emphasising its prosperity.

  • The contrasting descriptions show that social classes are evenly spread throughout the city.

5
1 mark

Explain how Stevenson uses the description of the fog in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to create a gothic atmosphere.

  • The fog is used to describe only the poorer parts of London.

  • The fog symbolises pollution, giving the city the sense of being dirty.

  • The fog suggests clarity and openness, allowing characters to see the city clearly.

  • The fog represents the idea of secrecy and concealment, heightening the sense of mystery.

6
1 mark

Apply your knowledge of Victorian society to suggest why Jekyll’s creation of Hyde would have shocked contemporary readers.

  • Victorians valued restraint and respectability, so Jekyll’s indulgence in his darker side through Hyde would have been seen as deeply immoral.

  • Victorian society was used to people living double lives, so Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde would not have been surprising.

  • Jekyll’s experiment aligned with Victorian values of scientific progress which would have shocked society in an entertaining way.

  •  Victorians were unconcerned with morality, so Hyde’s actions would not have shocked them.

7
1 mark

Suggest how the concept of physiognomy, which linked appearance to morality, is challenged by the character of Hyde.

  • Hyde’s appearance is described as beautiful, which contradicts his immoral actions.

  • Hyde is described as hideous, reinforcing the idea that physical deformity equals moral corruption.

  • Hyde and Jekyll share the same person, challenging the idea that appearance alone can determine morality.

  • Hyde’s appearance is irrelevant to the story’s exploration of good and evil.

8
1 mark

Apply your understanding of Victorian concerns about science and religion to explain why Jekyll’s scientific experiment could be viewed as controversial.

  • Jekyll’s experiment promoted the idea that humans could control their own moral decisions without religious guidance.

  • Jekyll’s experiment reflected the religious belief that science and faith were fully compatible.

  • Jekyll’s experiment supported Victorian ideas that science should only be used for religious purposes.

  • Jekyll’s experiment was fully aligned with the prevalent theories of creation.

1
1 mark

Compare the character of Mr Hyde with the Victorian fear of degeneration. How does Hyde’s portrayal reflect these anxieties?

  • Hyde’s animalistic traits and physical deformity represent Victorian fears that humanity could devolve into a more primitive state.

  • Hyde’s actions suggest that Victorian society had no concerns about degeneration or the decline of morality.

  • Hyde’s intellectual abilities show that he is not a representation of degeneration but rather moral progress.

  • Hyde’s existence disproves Victorian fears of degeneration by showing that immoral behaviour can be easily controlled.

2
1 mark

Criticise the Victorian concept of physiognomy based on Stevenson’s portrayal of Hyde. Does Stevenson support or challenge this idea?

  • Stevenson supports the concept of physiognomy by making Hyde physically hideous to reflect his inner evil.

  • Stevenson challenges the concept of physiognomy by showing that Jekyll, a respectable-looking man, is capable of great evil.

  • Stevenson avoids engaging with the concept of physiognomy entirely, focusing only on Jekyll’s scientific experiments.

  • Stevenson uses the concept of physiognomy to argue that outward appearances can never be trusted.

3
1 mark

Evaluate the effects of Jekyll’s repression on his ultimate downfall. To what extent is Jekyll’s fate determined by his inability to reconcile his two sides?

  • Jekyll’s repression has little to no impact on his downfall, as his experiments are the primary cause of his demise.

  • Jekyll’s repression is the key factor in his downfall, as his inability to express his desires in a healthy way leads to the creation of Hyde and the eventual loss of control.

  • Jekyll’s downfall is unrelated to his repression, as he is simply the victim of bad luck in his scientific experiments.

  • Jekyll’s fate is solely determined by his pursuit of scientific progress, with no connection to his inner conflict.