I knew myself, at the first breath of this new life, to be more wicked, tenfold more wicked, sold a slave to my original evil; and the thought, in that moment, braced and delighted me like wine. I stretched out my hands, exulting in the freshness of these sensations; and in the act, I was suddenly aware that I had lost in stature.

There was no mirror, at that date, in my room; that which stands beside me as I write, was brought there later on and for the very purpose of these transformations. The night however, was far gone into the morning—the morning, black as it was, was nearly ripe for the conception of the day—the inmates of my house were locked in the most rigorous hours of slumber; and I determined, flushed as I was with hope and triumph, to venture in my new shape as far as to my bedroom. I crossed the yard, wherein the constellations looked down upon me, I could have thought, with wonder, the first creature of that sort that their unsleeping vigilance had yet disclosed to them; I stole through the corridors, a stranger in my own house; and coming to my room, I saw for the first time the appearance of Edward Hyde.

I must here speak by theory alone, saying not that which I know, but that which I suppose to be most probable. The evil side of my nature, to which I had now transferred the stamping efficacy, was less robust and less developed than the good which I had just deposed. Again, in the course of my life, which had been, after all, nine tenths a life of effort, virtue and control, it had been much less exercised and much less exhausted. And hence, as I think, it came about that Edward Hyde was so much smaller, slighter and younger than Henry Jekyll. Even as good shone upon the countenance of the one, evil was written broadly and plainly on the face of the other. Evil besides (which I must still believe to be the lethal side of man) had left on that body an imprint of deformity and decay. And yet when I looked upon that ugly idol in the glass, I was conscious of no repugnance, rather of a leap of welcome. This, too, was myself. It seemed natural and human. In my eyes it bore a livelier image of the spirit, it seemed more express and single, than the imperfect and divided countenance I had been hitherto accustomed to call mine. And in so far I was doubtless right. I have observed that when I wore the semblance of Edward Hyde, none could come near to me at first without a visible misgiving of the flesh. This, as I take it, was because all human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil.

Clear focus on theme

It immediately identifies the key theme of good vs. evil, which is central to Jekyll and Hyde. This shows the writer understands the big ideas behind the text.

Authorial intent

It goes beyond just what happens in the story and explores what Stevenson meant by it. That’s an important part of high-level literary analysis.

Contextual understanding

It references Victorian society, showing that the writer is aware of the historical and cultural background. This helps explain why Stevenson’s message would matter to his audience at the time.

Insightful argument

The idea that “evil is within us all” and that society keeps it in check is an insightful and debatable point. This sets up the essay to explore different layers of meaning and interpretation.

Purposeful tone

The writer sounds confident and analytical. Phrases like “sets about making a statement” and “attempting to warn” give it an academic, evaluative tone.

Immediate focus on the theme

The paragraph starts confidently by linking the opening of the novel to the theme of evil, which is a key concept from the introduction. This shows consistency in argument and keeps the essay sharply focused.

Accurate references and analysis

Even though it’s closed-book, it accurately recalls key details like Hyde being described as "troglodytic" and the trampling of the girl. These moments are clearly described and used to support the argument, rather than being dropped in randomly.

Awareness of structure and reader response

There’s a nice touch of narrative structure analysis when it says the reader "may not be aware that Hyde and Jekyll are the same person." This shows an understanding of how Stevenson builds tension and mystery – a higher-level skill.

Strong contextual awareness

The paragraph links the fascination with crime to Victorian society, showing historical insight. That’s essential in essays on Jekyll and Hyde, and the connection is smoothly integrated, not bolted on.

Emotional and moral response

The paragraph notes that we feel “anger and surprise” at Hyde’s actions, showing sensitivity to reader reaction and how Stevenson manipulates our feelings. This gives the analysis a thoughtful, human edge.

Clear development of argument

The paragraph builds logically from the previous one, showing how Stevenson escalates the portrayal of evil from the trampling of the girl to the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. This sense of progression adds depth to the analysis and shows a well-structured essay.

Accurate and well-chosen textual detail

Even though this is a closed-book essay, the line “broke out of all bounds and clubbed him to the earth” is accurately remembered and used effectively. It captures the violence and loss of control central to Hyde’s character and supports the point about savagery.

Strong language analysis

The analysis of the word “clubs” is effective—it highlights the primitive, animalistic force behind Hyde’s actions. This kind of focus on word choice shows a close and thoughtful engagement with the text.

Sophisticated thematic interpretation

The idea that Hyde’s violence represents the “latent desires of humankind” is ambitious and thoughtful. It moves beyond surface-level analysis to consider what Stevenson might be saying about human nature, linking well to the essay’s central argument about evil being within us all.

Excellent use of context

Bringing in Darwin’s Origin of Species and Victorian fears about evolution is highly effective. It shows an understanding of the broader intellectual context in which Stevenson was writing and adds depth to the interpretation of Hyde’s animalistic behaviour.

Strong structural awareness

By focusing on an extract taken from the end of the novel, the writer shows an understanding of chronology and structure. This helps to demonstrate how Stevenson builds his ideas over time, culminating in the final confession. It gives the paragraph a clear, purposeful focus.

Close textual analysis

There is detailed attention to specific language choices—for example, the analysis of the word “knew” and the adjective “wicked”. These close readings show a deep engagement with the text and highlight how Stevenson crafts meaning through word choice.

Interpretation of symbolism and imagery

The paragraph explores the significance of Hyde’s size and the idea of transformation not being about physicality, but about the internal self. This shows sophistication in understanding Stevenson’s symbolic use of Hyde as a representation of inner evil.

Use of literary devices

The analysis of pathetic fallacy (“the ‘morning’ was ‘black’”) is strong—it connects setting to theme effectively, and reinforces how Stevenson uses external elements to mirror inner conflict. This demonstrates technical knowledge of literary techniques and their thematic purpose.

Thematic consistency

Throughout the paragraph, the writer stays focused on the central theme of good and evil. Each point reinforces or deepens the essay’s main argument, keeping the analysis clear and coherent.