THE STRANGE
CASE OF
DR JEKYLL AND
MR HYDE
BY AASHISH AND LAURIE
PLOT
• Begins with Enfield and Utterson discussing a mysterious looking door with Mr Enfield recalling a story about a most
unnatural man who trampled over a young girl and then entered it to bring out a chequebook in the name of Dr Henry Jekyll,
an esteemed doctor.
• In the next chapter, Utterson, in an attempt to look into Jekyll’s situation, reviews his will to reconsider why Hyde was the
benefactor- in the case of Jekyll’s death or prolonged disappearance. This intrigued Utterson who then enquired about Hyde
with Dr Lanyon who didn’t know who he was. Utterson then eventually encountered Hyde after continuously waiting around
the by-street, and after an awkward exchange, Utterson returned home suspecting Hyde might soon kill Jekyll.
• However, Utterson become somewhat relieved at the dinner party he has with Jekyll when Jekyll informs him that he has full
control over the actions of Hyde and can get rid of him at any given moment.
• At the beginning of the next chapter, the story evidently takes an abrupt turn because after a supposed year of not seeing
Hyde, Sir Danvers Carew was murdered and the witness claims it was a man of digusting complexion which immediately
triggered Utterson into thinking Hyde had made a return. Even though Utterson was sure it was Hyde, Hyde was nowhere to
be seen and when Utterson Dr Jekyll, Jekyll handed him a note declaring that Hyde was safe and would not be seen again.
PLOT CONTINUED
• Utterson took this note and visited his friend Mr Guest. Poole delivered an invitation to dinner from Dr Jekyll and upon comparison
found both to be written by the same hand.
• The next chapter takes a dark turn as Utterson visits Lanyon to find him looking deathly and completely different. After about a
fortnight, Lanyon is found dead and Utterson receives a letter in which he opens later in the novel.
• Nearing the end of the story, Utterson and Enfield are out on their daily walk when they approach the window of Dr Jekyll. After calling
Jekyll and having a brief conversation with him, Jekyll abruptly closes the window as he begins to transform into Hyde; however, the
window had been open long enough for the two men to witness it.
• In the last chapter of the book regarding the live story, Poole asks Utterson on to come see what is wrong with Jekyll and after they
arrive and break down Jekyll’s door with an axe, they discover the body of Hyde on the floor dead. They also search for Jekyll’s body,
assuming he has been murdered by Hyde however they do not find it. The only thing they find is a letter addressed to Utterson from
Jekyll.
• In the final two chapters of the novel, we are given accounts of the story from both Lanyon’s and Jekyll’s perspective. If the reader did
not already know that Jekyll was Hyde by this point, these two chapters consolidate the idea and fill in all the gaps of the story. We are
told that Jekyll had concocted an elixir which separates the dual personalities in a man as he believes that most of life’s problems result
from this confliction of instinctive views.
HORROR
• The Story of the Door:
– “some place” and “end of the world”- evokes a sense of ambiguity presenting horror as
mysterious.
– “street after street” -repetition gives a prolonging affect presenting horror as ongoing
and overbearing
– “trampled calmly”-oxymoron accentuates Hyde’s abnormal nature thus presents
horror as unnatural.
– “it wasn’t…it was”- structural juxtaposition in quick succession emphasises the
unpredictability of horror.
– “as emotional as a bagpipe”-shows how horror is dehumanising and abnormal.
Context- The scene is set at night in London which is known to have been almost a separate city
altogether, referred to as ‘the nocturnal city’ with activities such as prostitution, crime
commonplace and figures like Jack the Ripper roaming the streets creating horror.
SECRECY
Dr Jekyll was quite at Ease
– “I will tell you one thing” – Shows how little Jekyll is willing to give away about his situation
– “I can’t pretend I shall ever like him” – Said by Utterson where shows his true feelings,
making him an honest and open character which can be taken in contrast to Jekyll’s secrecy.
– “I beg you to let it sleep” and “pleaded Jekyll” – Secrecy is presented as essential as Jekyll
uses desperate verbs like beg persuade Utterson to let the matter lie.
– “I would trust you before any man alive” – Jekyll uses flattery and bold statements to appeal
to his deep friendship with Utterson to try and manipulate him to keep his secrets.
– “This is very good of you, … to put your good heart at rest.” – Jekyll uses extremely long and
winding sentences with many repeated phrases of flattery to put off answering the question
and maintain his secrecy.
Context- Although they differ in opinion, both men remain polite and respectful of the other,
due social customs of the polite society and expectations of a gentleman. Furthermore Jekyll
wishes his secrets to remain secret perhaps due to his need to keep a good public image and
avoid scandal as expected of an esteemed man like himself.
MYSTERY
• Remarkable Incident of Dr Lanyon
– “death-warrant written legibly” accentuates the indescribability of mystery due to the
fact Utterson does not actually know what is wrong with him at the time.
– “rosy” and “pale”-shows a rapid change thus provoking mystery as Utterson does not
know why he has become so ill.
– “I cannot tell you”- despite all the hardships he is going through, Utterson still does not
know what has happened to Lanyon.
– “I wish to see or hear no more of Dr. Jekyll”- it is very unusual how Lanyon suddenly
developed a disliking to Jekyll despite their years of strong friendship.
– “in God’s name” and “accursed topic”- shows the problem he has had is ungodly and
inexplicable, despite his scientific background.
Context- His references to God in desperation highlights how ungodly Jekyll’s act was and
at a time of religious prominence in society, this would be considered most unnatural,
terrifying and socially unacceptable.
FEAR
• The Last Night
– “moon pale lying on her back as though the wind tilted her” – creates an unsettling scene through this
metaphor showing a fierce battle of nature with the moon, a constant and controlling force, being
‘defeated’ which creates uncertainty that anything can happen.
– “had never seen that part of London so deserted” – which creates a desolate and deserted atmosphere
like something was wrong, especially with a lot of prior reference to a nocturnal city.
– “God grant there be nothing wrong” – shows a lack of control of the situation so that the only one left in
control to put things better is God.
– “thin trees… lashing themselves across the railings” – creates a wild atmosphere with such a violent verb.
– “stood huddled together like a flock of sheep” – shows the fear of the servants all of whom are away from
their posts, hiding and likened in a simile to sheep – passive creatures who are typically prey, presenting
their fear more intensely.
Context- The Smog, an extensive grey fog over London, adds to the wild atmosphere of the night,
lowering visibility and thereby creating mystery and suspense which leads to fear.
OTHER THEMES AND MOMENTS
• Friendship – Ch.1 Utterson and Enfield walking, Ch.3 Jekyll’s dinner party
• Tension – Ch.8 Breaking into Dr Jekyll’s cabinet to find Hyde dead
• Rare and Unusual Experience – Ch.7 Enfield and Utterson witnessing Jekyll change
• Duality – Ch.5 – Comparing Jekyll’s home to how it used to be
• Innocence – Ch.4 Characterisation of Sir Danvers Carew in contrast to Hyde
• Suspense – Ch.9 Dr Lanyon witnessing Hyde turn into Jekyll
• Manipulation – Ch.3 Jekyll’s Dinner Party
CONTEXT
• Religion vs Science
• Gentlemanly behaviour
• Dangers of London
• Smog
• Gothic Theme
• Geography of London