“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Student Reviews 2009

The following are reviews by COHS students of “The Strange Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Genre: Gothic Horror

Pages: 224

Reviewer: Gavin G.

The book follows a lawyer named Mr. Utterson, as he tries to figure out the mystery that surrounds one of his best friends Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is a troubled scientist that hates the fact that he has to hide secrets from his most beloved friends and family. He eventually concocts a potion and is then turned into the embodiment of what he most hates about himself, a man named Mr. Hyde. As Mr. Utterson begins to discover the strange similarities between the two seemingly individual people, Dr. Jekyll begins to increase the rate at which he takes the potion, and eventually Dr. Jekyll is able to induce his Mr. Hyde state without taking the potion. The book ends with Mr. Utterson having knowledge of Dr. Jekyll’s condition and Mr. Hyde still being on the loose.

I really enjoyed this book, even though the dated language that was used made it hard to follow. I enjoyed the dual personalities of Dr. Jekyll, because it always managed to turn the book upside down and gave you a new perspective on the things that occurred in it. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was very enticing.

1. Stevenson’s purpose for writing this book was to show that all humans no matter who they are have the capability to be either good or evil.

2. The theme of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is that every person has two sides that make up their own individual personality.

3. The theme and thesis are developed by the split personality that Dr. Jekyll has. By using two characters in one, Stevenson chose to develop the characters in any way that was beneficial to where the story was heading.

4. The book shows that good and evil truly lies in all of us, even though we don’t realize it. raise and what stance does it take in addressing and solving the issue?

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About Victoria Waddle

Victoria Waddle is a Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and has been included in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. Her books include a collection of feminist short fiction, Acts of Contrition, and a chapbook on grief, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Her YA novel about a polygamist cult, Keep Sweet, launches in June 2025. Formerly the managing editor of the journal Inlandia: A Literary Journey and a teacher librarian, she contributes to the Southern California News Group column Literary Journeys. She discusses both writing and library book censorship on her Substack, “Be a Cactus.” Join her there for thoughts on defiant readers and writers as well as for weekly library censorship news.
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3 Responses to “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Student Reviews 2009

  1. Snownyia's avatar Snownyia says:

    I didn’t quite understand the ending if Hyde just committed suicide how did he come to the door to turn back into Jekyll? Please help me understand because I’m completely lost!

    • Victoria Waddle's avatar Ms. Waddle says:

      Mr. Utterson, the lawyer, breaks down the door and comes in (with the butler) to find Mr. Hyde dead on the floor.

  2. damn quilty's avatar damn quilty says:

    at the end Hyde it isnt on the loose…He commited suicide. Utterson finds out the true when he is searching for any clue that leads him to the Jekyll(who he think had be killed by Hyde).

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