1. What is the nature of the relationship between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield? 2. How is Jekyll’s house and laboratory physically situated so as to suggest a symbolic significance to the arrangement? 3. After reading the first Chapter, how do you account for the reader’s intense interest in such […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsRobert Louis Stevenson Biography
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 13, 1850. He was a sickly youth, and an only son, for whom his parents had high hopes. When at last Stevenson was able to attend school, he did extremely well and entered the university at sixteen. His family […]
Read more Robert Louis Stevenson BiographyCharacter Analysis Dr. Hastie Lanyon
In contrast to Jekyll, the “metaphysical” scientist and his interest in releasing “evil” spirits which become physically alive, taking over the body and soul of their owner and embodying it in their own misshapen representations, Lanyon is a “traditional” scientist — completely uninterested in “the other world.” Once, Lanyon and […]
Read more Character Analysis Dr. Hastie LanyonCharacter Analysis Gabriel John Utterson
Except for the last two Chapters, most of the rest of the novel is seen through the eyes of Mr. Utterson, who functions as the “eyes” of “conscience” through which we, the readers, evaluate most of the novel. Therefore, if Utterson is deceived in his opinion of some event, then […]
Read more Character Analysis Gabriel John UttersonCharacter Analysis Edward Hyde
Hyde, as his name indicates, represents the fleshy (sexual) aspect of man which the Victorians felt the need to “hide” — as Utterson once punned on his name: “Well, if he is Mr. Hyde, I will be Mr. Seek.” Hyde actually comes to represent the embodiment of pure evil merely […]
Read more Character Analysis Edward HydeCharacter Analysis Dr. Henry (Harry) Jekyll
A prominent, popular London scientist, who is well known for his dinner parties, Jekyll is a large, handsome man of perhaps fifty. He owns a large estate and has recently drawn up his will, leaving his immense fortune to a man whom Jekyll’s lawyer, Utterson, thoroughly disapproves of. Jekyll’s own […]
Read more Character Analysis Dr. Henry (Harry) JekyllSummary and Analysis Chapter 10 – Jekyll’s Full Statement
Summary I was born [writes Jekyll] to a wealthy family and, after a good education, I gained the respect of all who knew me. I seemed to be guaranteed an honorable and distinguished future. If I had any single, serious flaw, it was that I was perhaps inclined to be […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10 – Jekyll’s Full StatementSummary and Analysis Chapter 9 – Doctor Lanyon’s Narrative
Summary On the night of January 9, Lanyon writes, I received a registered letter. Immediately, I recognized the handwriting of my old school-companion Henry Jekyll on the envelope. This surprised me. Henry and I weren’t in the habit of corresponding; after all, we both live in London and I had […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 9 – Doctor Lanyon’s NarrativeSummary and Analysis Chapter 8 – The Last Night
Summary One evening after dinner, Utterson is sitting peacefully beside his fireplace when he receives a visit by a very agitated and upset Mr. Poole. He offers Poole a glass of wine to calm him, and although Poole accepts it, he neglects to drink it as he hesitatingly tells Utterson […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 8 – The Last NightSummary and Analysis Chapter 7 – Incident at the Window
Summary Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield are taking one of their customary Sunday strolls and, by chance, their path takes them past “that door,” the door that they agreed never to speak of again. They pause now and look at it. Enfield thinks that Mr. Hyde will never be heard […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 7 – Incident at the Window