Animalism In Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

Throughout the novel, Hyde is predominantly presented as animalistic, which is suggested to the reader in short words and phrases, such as ‘snarled’, ‘hissing’ and ‘troglodytic’. These animalistic images all help to create a sense of danger and fright, and suggest serpent like behaviour; sly, evil, and dangerous. It therefore begins to shape the idea of deformity and fright that circulate the character. Interestingly, the snake like essences of Mr Hyde may refer to biblical ideas, such as Satan, who in the shape of a serpent misled man and led to man’s fall. When the book was published, readers were very familiar with biblical images, so would recognise that his reference to Satan is the most intimidating, evil, fearful image possible which