Dr Hastie Lanyon in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Doctor Lanyon and Dr Jekyll were once great friends and both enjoyed the field of science. However they had a disagreement about Dr Jekyll's latest experiment which Dr Lanyon describes as 'scientific balderdash.' This disagreement caused them to fall out with each other and Jekyll was further isolated from his friends.
Dr Lanyon witnessed Jekyll's transformation into Hyde and it scarred him deeply. He couldn't believe what Jekyll had done and he thought it was unnatural. Lanyon never recovered from what he had seen and shortly after, had a fit and died.
| How is Lanyon like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Outspoken | Dr Lanyon describes Dr Jekyll's experiments as 'unscientific balderdash', claiming that Jekyll's experiments are ridiculous and not the 'correct' science. | "Unscientific balderdash." | This shows that Dr Lanyon doesn't agree with Jekyll's experiments or 'believe' in them, as he calls them 'balderdash'. |
| Stubborn | Dr Lanyon is stubborn as he will not forget or forgive Dr Jekyll for his experiments with Mr Hyde. | "I am quite done with that person." | This shows that Dr Lanyon is stubborn, as he refuses to acknowledge Dr Jekyll's name. The fact that he is saying he is 'done with that person' shows that Lanyon doesn't forgive easily. |
| Outspoken | |
|---|---|
| How is Lanyon like this? | Dr Lanyon describes Dr Jekyll's experiments as 'unscientific balderdash', claiming that Jekyll's experiments are ridiculous and not the 'correct' science. |
| Evidence | "Unscientific balderdash." |
| Analysis | This shows that Dr Lanyon doesn't agree with Jekyll's experiments or 'believe' in them, as he calls them 'balderdash'. |
| Stubborn | |
|---|---|
| How is Lanyon like this? | Dr Lanyon is stubborn as he will not forget or forgive Dr Jekyll for his experiments with Mr Hyde. |
| Evidence | "I am quite done with that person." |
| Analysis | This shows that Dr Lanyon is stubborn, as he refuses to acknowledge Dr Jekyll's name. The fact that he is saying he is 'done with that person' shows that Lanyon doesn't forgive easily. |
Analysing the evidence
Below is a quotation that highlights Dr Lanyon's feelings about Jekyll and his latest experiment. In answering the questions below, focus on the language and punctuation Stevenson has used to convey those feelings.
I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it; and yet, now when that sight has faded from my eyes I ask myself if I believe it and I cannot answer. My life is shaken to the roots.
Question
What does this quotation tell us about Dr Lanyon's state of mind?
- He cannot believe what he has witnessed and what Dr Jekyll has done.
- He doubts what he has seen and witnessed.
Question
How many times are 'I' and 'my' repeated in this quotation?
a) 7
b) 10
c) 5
b) 10
Question
Why does Stevenson repeat 'I' and 'my' in this extract?
- It highlights Dr Lanyon's terror at what he has seen.
- It highlights Dr Lanyon's doubt and uncertainty about what he has seen.
- It shows how Dr Lanyon's 'soul' and self is impacted by Dr Jekyll's experiment.