Gothic literature tends to have appeal to high school readers. It’s darker themes and outcomes can engage readers. As one of the more popular stories, the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde also shows up as a cultural reference.
Gothic literature, including The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, refers to supernatural events and an spooky or scary environment. Students can examine how the story Jekyll and Hyde meets this definition. The narrator is neither Dr. Jekyll nor Mr. Hyde, and much of the action occurs off-page, told about later by other characters, as a story telling device.
Activities to Use with The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Alternate Ending
These are always fun projects, allowing students some flexibility to decide how things could have ended differently. Students can pick their own point or the teacher can pick a place where a different choice/ action changes the ending. (Buy the Alternate Ending project here)
Create a Wanted Poster for Hyde
Using details from the story, create a wanted poster for Hyde. This may be before or after Jekyll’s death. (Included when you buy the Culminating Projects resource, or buy the general use Wanted Poster Activity)
Alternate Point of View Project
Because the story is told from other characters, rather than the title character or anyone actually close to the action, it’s a good opportunity to make a project of retelling the story from Hyde’s character. (Buy the Alternate Point of View Project here)
Write an Epilogue to the story
What happens next? This might include police investigation or what happens with the people that knew Jekyll (or Hyde). (Included when you buy with the Culminating Projects resource)
Move vs. Book
There are several movie versions of the story available. Students can compare what key parts are the same or different in each story. Students may decide which version (of the story) they like better in writing or discussion. (Buy the Movie vs Book activity here)
A Search for Hyde: Police Report
This is a real-world type writing activity, in which students would write up a mock police report into the search for Hyde. Jekyll is dead, but what about Hyde? Assuming the police do not know they are the same, then they would search for Hyde, perhaps as murderer of Jekyll even. Students draw details from the text, and fill in with creative writing. (Buy A Search for Hyde activity here)
Duality is a fun topic to explore. Compare it to modern situations or research Victorian concepts of virtue/ vice for possible influence. Explore that might happen next with a police report or epilogue. Or pop some popcorn to see how the movie handles the concepts of the story.
It’s all good.