Stevenson

INITIAL EXPLORATION OF THEMES

A careful reading of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde can reveal multiple levels of meaning. At one level it is a story about a mad scientist gone wrong, at another level it is a reflection on human nature.

Students can be supported in reading for different levels of meaning through activities that help them think about the themes in the novel before they begin to read.

By establishing an atmosphere of mutual questioning and seeking insight at the beginning of the unit, students will be encouraged to openly question and discuss their attempts at developing understanding with other members of the class.

Dual Nature or Split Personality

1. In order to explore how persons can engage in both positive and negative behaviors, you can free write about a time when you showed kindness to an animal or another person and then about a time when you were cruel or unkind. After ouy have written, students should privately read their journals to analyze why you might act in these opposite ways at different