AQA GCSE Literature — Jekyll and Hyde Question
Jekyll and Hyde appears in Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel. This paper is 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 64 marks.
| Section | Text | Questions | Marks | Suggested Time | % of Paper | % of GCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section B | Jekyll and Hyde | 1 essay question | 30 marks | ≈ 50 minutes | 47% | 19% |
| Section A | Shakespeare | 1 extract + essay | 34 marks | ≈ 55 minutes | 53% | 21% |
Total Paper 1 = 64 marks Total GCSE Literature = 160 marks
Structure of the Jekyll and Hyde Question
Students answer one essay question on the novel. The question will include:
- An extract from the novel
- A task asking how the writer presents a theme or character
- A requirement to analyse both the extract and the whole novel
Typical wording:
Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson presents the theme of secrecy in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Assessment Objectives in the Jekyll and Hyde Question
| Assessment Objective | Skill | Marks | % of Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Maintain a clear argument and use references from the text | 12 | 40% |
| AO2 | Analyse Stevenson’s methods (language, structure, form) | 12 | 40% |
| AO3 | Show understanding of Victorian context | 6 | 20% |
Context should support the argument rather than appear as separate historical paragraphs.
What Examiners Expect in a Top Answer
- Clear argument about the theme or character
- Close analysis of Stevenson’s language
- References to events across the whole novel
- Relevant Victorian context
- Embedded quotations