AQA GCSE English Literature
AQA GCSE English Literature The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE English Literature practice questions for The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Covers stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde: duality, repression, reputation, science, violence, Utterson, Jekyll, Hyde, Lanyon and Victorian London.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde practice questions
1 pack of exam-style practice questions for The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Plan and write as many answers as you can under timed conditions, then compare them with the guidance on this page and your notes.
About AQA GCSE English Literature The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a 19th-century novel option on AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1, Section B. You write about an extract and the novella as a whole. Stevenson builds mystery through Utterson's investigation, delaying the truth until Lanyon's narrative and Jekyll's full statement in the final chapters. Examiners reward answers that analyse the structure of the mystery, the presentation of Hyde through animal imagery, and context such as Victorian respectability, repression, Darwin's theories and fears of degeneration.
Key themes, characters and context
- Duality Jekyll writes that 'man is not truly one, but truly two'. Hyde lets him indulge desires without damaging his respectable reputation.
- Hyde Hyde is small, 'ape-like' and described as 'troglodytic'. Witnesses struggle to explain why he seems deformed, which suggests evil that cannot be named.
- Utterson The lawyer Utterson is reserved and loyal. His investigation drives the plot, and his concern for reputation reflects his society.
- Reputation and secrecy Gentlemen avoid scandal and gossip, so they keep silent about Hyde. This silence allows evil to grow.
- Science and the supernatural Lanyon is horrified by Jekyll's 'transcendental' experiments and dies from the shock of seeing the transformation.
- Context Published in 1886, the novella reflects fears of degeneration after Darwin, anxiety about violent crime in London and the strict public morality of Victorian gentlemen.
Common mistakes in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- Treating Jekyll as purely good. He enjoys being Hyde and chooses to keep transforming.
- Revealing the twist too early in an argument. Discuss how Stevenson structures the mystery through delayed revelation.
- Describing Hyde as huge. He is small and young, which suggests Jekyll's underdeveloped evil side.
- Ignoring setting. Fog, dark streets and Jekyll's two-sided house reflect duality.
- Writing loosely about 'Victorians'. Be precise about upper-middle-class gentlemen and their codes of respectability.
Try three The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde practice questions
1. Starting with this extract from 'Story of the Door', how does Stevenson present Mr Hyde as a frightening outsider? Write about this extract and the novel as a whole. (30 marks)
Show what a strong answer includes
A strong answer would analyse the trampling of the girl and the onlookers' hatred, then the Carew murder and animal imagery, linking to fears of degeneration and Victorian ideas about the hidden self.
2. Starting with this extract from Jekyll's statement, how does Stevenson explore the idea of duality? (30 marks)
Show what a strong answer includes
A strong answer would discuss 'man is not truly one, but truly two', the double-fronted house, Jekyll's pleasure in Hyde's freedom and his loss of control, linking to Victorian repression.
3. Starting with this extract, how does Stevenson present Utterson? (30 marks)
Show what a strong answer includes
A strong answer would examine his restraint, loyalty to Jekyll and determination to uncover Hyde, and his role as a respectable gentleman who reflects society's secrecy.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde FAQs
What does AQA GCSE English Literature Jekyll and Hyde cover?
It covers the whole novella, including Jekyll, Hyde, Utterson, Lanyon and Enfield, and themes of duality, reputation, violence and science.
Which paper is Jekyll and Hyde examined in?
It is examined in Paper 1, Section B, where one extract-based question also asks about the whole novella, worth 30 marks.
Which quotations should I learn for Jekyll and Hyde?
Learn short quotations such as 'man is not truly one, but truly two', 'ape-like fury' and 'troglodytic', and the key descriptions of Hyde from different witnesses.
