Science, nature, and the supernatural
In the novel both Jekyll and Lanyon are scientists. They disagree completely about each other's methods though, with Lanyon calling Jekyll's work unscientific balderdash
. Jekyll sees Lanyon as an ignorant blatant pedant
. Lanyon avoids Jekyll for years because of this disagreement over scientific method.
In contrast to this Jekyll says that his investigations led wholly towards the mystic and the transcendental
. His fascination with the mystery of human nature seems to have more in common with philosophy and religion than it does with science. It should be remembered that the study of psychology was in its infancy when the novel was published, and it could be said that Jekyll's ideas have more in common with that branch of study.
| Evidence | Analysis |
| "bound to the most narrow and material views, you have denied the virtue of transcendental medicine, you who have derided your superiors - behold!" | Hyde criticises Lanyon for his narrow-mindedness and his unwillingness to embrace "transcendental medicine". |
| "I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will; unless it were that hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. O, I know he's a good fellow鈥攜ou needn't frown鈥攁n excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more of him; but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant. I was never more disappointed in any man than Lanyon." | Jekyll expresses his disappointment in Lanyon's conservative views regarding science. He calls Lanyon "hide-bound" meaning that he thinks that Lanyon has fixed opinions and is not willing to be changed or influenced. |
| Evidence | "bound to the most narrow and material views, you have denied the virtue of transcendental medicine, you who have derided your superiors - behold!" |
|---|---|
| Analysis | Hyde criticises Lanyon for his narrow-mindedness and his unwillingness to embrace "transcendental medicine". |
| Evidence | "I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will; unless it were that hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. O, I know he's a good fellow鈥攜ou needn't frown鈥攁n excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more of him; but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant. I was never more disappointed in any man than Lanyon." |
|---|---|
| Analysis | Jekyll expresses his disappointment in Lanyon's conservative views regarding science. He calls Lanyon "hide-bound" meaning that he thinks that Lanyon has fixed opinions and is not willing to be changed or influenced. |