The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde
Wishbone Classics Series
on Goodreads (626,753)
What’s inside...
Wishbone the dog retells the tale of the mysterious relationship between the kind, well-respected Dr. Jekyll and the evil Mr. Hyde. Respected scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll engages in some bizarre behavior that baffles his friends, as his experiments lead to the appearance of the destructive and evil Edward Hyde.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Dr. Henry Jekyll
Mr. Poole
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson
Dr. Hastie Lanyon
Mr. Edward Hyde
Dr Hastie Lanyon
Richard Enfield
Poole
Sir Danvers Carew
Guest
Inspector Newcomen
Gabriel John Utterson
Discussion points
What do you think made Dr. Jekyll want to create Mr. Hyde?
How did the actions of Mr. Hyde affect Dr. Jekyll and those around him?
What do you think this story tells us about the importance of being aware of the different sides of our personality?
How do you think the story would change if Dr. Jekyll had made different choices?
What would you do if you encountered a situation similar to Dr. Jekyll's?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions, similar to the choices Dr. Jekyll makes.
Discuss the importance of acknowledging and managing different emotions, drawing parallels with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Ask your child how they might handle complex feelings or decisions, and relate it back to the story’s dilemmas.
Highlight the themes of responsibility and ethics, and how they apply in everyday life beyond the book.
Use examples from the book to talk about the impact of good and bad choices and their ripple effects on others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the duality of human nature
Explanation: The transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde illustrates the battle between good and evil present within all humans.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of making good choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The consequences of unethical behavior
Explanation: Dr. Jekyll’s experiments lead to dangerous outcomes, demonstrating how unethical decisions can have severe repercussions.
Real-World Application: This serves as a lesson to children on the importance of ethical decision-making and considering the potential consequences of their actions.
Example Lesson: The importance of personal responsibility
Explanation: As Dr. Jekyll takes responsibility for Mr. Hyde's actions, it teaches that individuals must take responsibility for all aspects of themselves.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of accepting responsibility for their actions and understanding how their choices define their character.
Example Lesson: The challenge of resisting temptation
Explanation: Dr. Jekyll’s initial curiosity and subsequent inability to stop using the transformative potion exemplifies the struggle against temptation.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of self-control and the dangers of giving in to harmful temptations.
Example Lesson: The impact of secrecy
Explanation: Dr. Jekyll's secretive actions create a lack of trust and eventually lead to his downfall, highlighting the negative effects of keeping secrets.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of honesty and transparency in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.