Henley In Arden
English Department
Literature Paper One - Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
Jekyll and Hyde
This book is one of the most gripping and fascinating books I have ever read. It is such a riveting thriller, that it is impossible to stop reading it even though it is a bit spooky.
The story begins with the Will of Dr. Henry Jekyll where we learn that if he disappears or dies his fortune will be left to Mr. Edward Hyde. Through the lawyer Mr. Utterson we come to know Jekyll and Hyde. Mr. Utterson says Hyde is a cruel and vicious man who knocks over a child on purpose and steps on her without a care. But this is only the beginning of his evil behaviour, later on he kills an MP without reason. Hyde is seen going into Dr. Jekyll's home several times on different nights. How are the two men connected?
Dr. Jekyll is a kind and responsible man but he is worried. It seems Dr. Jekyll is protecting Mr. Hyde – but why?
As we follow Mr. Utterson and through the clever use of letters written by Jekyll and Hyde, we discover the terrible secret that connects them!
There are two main ideas in the story. Firstly, the battle of good versus evil. We see this in the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and how he struggles to keep balance between both sides of himself. Secondly, it is about taking science too far and if we can control scientific research.
Romeo and Juliet
A boy (Romeo) and a girl (Juliet) fall in love. But they come from families which hate each other, and know they will not be allowed to marry. They are so much in love they marry in secret instead. However, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the city, he will be put to death.
Juliet is then told she must marry Paris, who has been chosen by her parents, who do not know she is already married. She refuses - then agrees because she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo.
She takes a sleeping potion and appears to be dead, so her parents lay her in a tomb. However, Romeo does not know about the plan, visits her grave, finds her 'dead', and kills himself. Juliet finally wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and then kills herself.