English Creative Writing:Two or Three Things about

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Opening: 19 March 2011

Dr. Amy Lee

Some reminders

• From HKAGE (attendance, special arrangements because of adverse weather condition, etc.)

• Take-home assignments (6): – Submission– Grading– Final presentation

• Resources

• Course completion and credit claim

Course outline

• Main story/narrative: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886)

• Types of narratives:– Short story– Poem– Dramatic scenes– Personal narratives– Cultural translations

Today

1. General discussion about creative writing

2. Getting to know The strange story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

3. A 1920 film adaptation

4. Some memorable moments in the film/story

Task one

Task two

• You will now be shown the beginning of a film, Van Helsing, made in 2004.

• Work with your partner again to:– summarize the opening of the film– describe the significance of the opening

section

The birth of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

• Author

• Historical background

• Plot development

• Character development

• Format of presentation

• => a message? from the author?

A 1920 adaptation

• Considered by most to be the first great American horror film, John S. Robertson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one the more faithful of the many screen adaptions of Stevenson's story, recounting a visionary scientist’s ill-fated attempts to unleash the human mysteries that dwell beneath the shell of the civilised self.

• Get into 5 groups. Work with your groupmates and choose one particularly interesting/memorable moments in the film. Tell us why.

Take home assignment

• Write 400 words to tell us what you think is the most important message in the 1920 film of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• Submit a hard copy of the assignment next week.

Contact

• Dr. Amy Lee

• amylee@hkbu.edu.hk

• Miss Petra Kwong

• loverain@gmail.com