Jekyll and Hyde in Context: High Ability

This lesson is designed to challenge high-ability pupils by providing a more in-depth and nuanced look into some of the contexts surrounding The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

It provides an opportunity for students to learn about 19th Century Colonialism, and how it informs the novel.

Lesson includes a Powerpoint on Colonialism (including the practices of phrenology and craniology) and a worksheet where students can compare Stevenson’s description of Hyde to HM Stanley’s description of an African warrior in Through the Dark Continent .

I designed this for a high ability Y11 class, but could also be used for Alevel.

NOTE This lesson contains some harsh depictions of Colonial-era racism. I have left this in-tact for the sake of historical accuracy and so as not to sanitise the brutal reality of Colonialism. Nevertheless, this material should be approached with sensitivity and caution.