4. Literary elements

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde uses the literary element of Exposition. Exposition is the part of the story, usually near the beginning, which introduces the characters, the background, and the setting. Exposition takes place during chapter one and the beginning of chapter two. Exposition is used to introduce the reader to the story, so that halfway through the story a new character does not pop up out of the blue and make the reader wonder who that character is.

3. Elements of historical context

The setting uses the historical element of England always wanting to improve itself, to create new things in the Victorian Age. To someone who doesn't understand that element will wonder why Jekyll was trying to make a potion to split himself from his evil side. If a reader understands, he or she will know that he was just trying to do something new, like most people were in this age.

2. Elements of romance/relationship

The predominant relationship in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the relationship between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This relationship is what drives the book, one day Dr Jekyll invents a potion that can separate his evil side from himself, thus creating Mr. Hyde. He transforms into Mr. Hyde at will by drinking the potion, then enjoys being evil because, as Mr Hyde is pure evil, he has no conscience. Then when he transforms into Mr Hyde unwillingly, and can not find any of the potion to turn him back, he takes his own life to rid the world of the murderous Mr Hyde. At first Dr. Jekyll willingly accepts Mr Hyde, because transforming into him grants him freedoms he can not experience as Dr Jekyll, but when Hyde becomes too dangerous, Dr Jekyll sacrifices himself to get rid of Hyde.

1. Literary Elements

A literary element that is used in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the Antagonist. The Antagonist in the story is Mr Hyde, Dr Jekyll's evil side. The Antagonist is the person or force that works against the protagonist, or hero. Mr Hyde is first described on page three, while he is named on page four. The purpose of an Antagonist is to provide conflict to the Protagonist, and to add spice to an otherwise bland story. Most to all stories that people think are good have some sort of villain or opposite force that tries to stop the hero. In The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Mr Hyde tries to constantly escape from Dr Jekyll, and cause more terror.