Style (Grade 12 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes

Style

Overview

Robert Louis Stevenson crafts The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde using distinctive literary techniques that create an atmosphere of mystery, tension, and moral conflict. His writing reflects the formal speech patterns of the Victorian era while incorporating scientific and legal language that mirrors the growing influence of these fields on society. Stevenson explores the fear of what lies beneath society's respectable surface through careful use of description, symbolism, and contrast. These stylistic choices help him examine the dual nature of humanity and the darkness that can exist within seemingly respectable people.

Language techniques

Formal and Victorian speech patterns

Stevenson writes using the sophisticated, educated language typical of 19th-century London society. The characters, particularly Mr Utterson and Dr Jekyll, communicate in a polite and restrained manner that reflects the Victorian emphasis on dignity and social control. This formal approach creates a stark contrast with Mr Hyde's violent and uncontrolled behaviour, highlighting the gap between civilised appearance and savage reality.

The carefully controlled and polite narration serves to hide powerful emotions beneath the surface, much like Victorian society concealed its problems behind a facade of respectability.

Scientific and legal terminology

Throughout the novella, Stevenson incorporates specialist vocabulary from both science and law. Scientific terms such as "experiment," "chemical," and "analysis" reflect Dr Jekyll's role as a researcher exploring the boundaries of human nature. Meanwhile, legal language including words like "evidence," "statement," and "confession" connects to Mr Utterson's profession as a lawyer and adds authenticity to the mystery elements.

Descriptive and Gothic elements

Stevenson employs rich, detailed descriptions that bring the dark, atmospheric London setting to life. He uses Gothic imagery including fog, shadows, dimly lit streets, and locked doors to create feelings of unease and suspense throughout the narrative.

When describing Hyde, Stevenson often uses animalistic imagery that suggests a loss of humanity. Rather than directly explaining what makes Hyde so disturbing, the author creates a sense of disgust and fear through indirect description: "There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable." This technique builds dread without explicitly naming the source of horror.

Contrasting language styles

The language consistently reflects the central theme of duality through its contrasts between good and evil, light and darkness. Stevenson presents elegant, refined descriptions of Jekyll alongside rough, harsh depictions of Hyde. The sentences describing Hyde tend to be shorter and more abrupt, while those about Jekyll flow more smoothly and contain more sophisticated vocabulary.

These differences in sentence structure mirror the contrast between self-control and chaos that runs throughout the story.

Tone analysis

Mysterious and suspenseful tone

From the opening chapters, the tone remains mysterious, keeping readers uncertain about Hyde's true identity and Jekyll's secret. The restrained narration builds curiosity gradually rather than revealing everything immediately. Utterson's investigations create a detective-like atmosphere typical of 19th-century mystery fiction.

This controlled tone heightens tension because readers sense that something is terribly wrong but cannot see the truth clearly.

Fearful and horrified tone

When Hyde commits acts of violence, the tone shifts dramatically towards horror and disgust. However, the fear stems not only from physical violence but also from the realisation that evil can exist within ordinary, respectable people. During scenes involving Hyde, the tone evokes revulsion and demonstrates how easily moral boundaries can collapse.

Sympathetic and tragic tone

In Jekyll's final confession, the tone becomes melancholy and reflective. Rather than condemning Jekyll harshly, Stevenson presents him sympathetically as someone who recognises too late the dangers of trying to separate good and evil within human nature. The author's tone suggests understanding rather than condemnation, implying that everyone struggles with internal conflicts.

This tragic tone transforms the story from simple horror into a moral warning about human pride and the consequences of trying to divide our nature.

Mood development

Dark and oppressive atmosphere

Descriptions of fog, nighttime, and deserted streets create a heavy, gloomy mood throughout much of the narrative. The recurring darkness reflects moral decay and hidden sin within Victorian society. Readers feel trapped and claustrophobic, much like Jekyll feels trapped by his dangerous secret.

Suspenseful and uncertain atmosphere

The mystery surrounding Hyde's identity keeps readers in constant suspense. Stevenson builds tension through delayed revelation, withholding crucial facts until the final chapters. The narrative shifts between different perspectives - Utterson's, Lanyon's, and Jekyll's - creating uncertainty about what is real and what can be trusted.

These changing perspectives make readers feel like they are participating in the investigation alongside the characters.

Tragic and reflective atmosphere

The final chapters evoke sorrow and deep reflexion. Readers witness Jekyll's downfall as inevitable, serving as a warning against moral pride. The mood combines fear, pity, and understanding, leaving readers with complex emotions about Jekyll's fate.

The tragedy lies in Jekyll's essential humanity - his desire to be completely good leads ultimately to his destruction.

Narrative techniques

The story unfolds through multiple narrators, primarily Mr Utterson, but later through letters and confessions from other characters. This layered structure creates both realism and suspense as readers uncover the truth piece by piece rather than receiving it all at once.

Key stylistic features overview

Feature	Description	Effect
Formal language	Polite, restrained tone typical of Victorian society	Reflects respectability and social control
Scientific and legal terms	References to experiments, evidence, confessions	Connects morality with rational thinking and law
Gothic imagery	Dark streets, fog, shadows, locked doors	Creates tension and mystery
Contrasting sentence styles	Smooth descriptions for Jekyll, abrupt ones for Hyde	Reflects conflict between order and chaos
Multiple narrators	Utterson, Lanyon, Jekyll provide different perspectives	Builds suspense and adds realism
Tragic tone	Sympathetic view of Jekyll's downfall	Emphasises moral lessons

Overall stylistic impact

Stevenson's use of formal narration, symbolic imagery, and shifting tones gives the novella its enduring power and relevance. The combination of scientific curiosity, mystery elements, and moral questioning draws readers into both a psychological drama and a social critique of Victorian society's repressions.

His stylistic choices invite readers not merely to observe Jekyll's downfall but to examine their own hidden aspects - the parts of themselves that society teaches them to conceal. Through language, tone, and mood, Stevenson creates a work that functions simultaneously as entertainment and moral instruction.