Analysis of chapter 4 Flashcards
The Carew murder case
How much time has passed since the event of the previous chapter?
This chapter takes place “Nearly a year” after the previous chapter.
Carew’s looks are described as being full of “old-world kindness”. How does this make Hyde’s attack more evil?
Carew is described as having 2old-world kindness”, emphasising that he’s gentle and harmless. This contrasts with Hyde’s violence, which makes Hyde’s attack seem more evil.
Why doesn’t the maid immediately call the police?
She faints “At the horror” of seeing Hyde murder Carew and doesn’t wake up until later.
Why do you think Stevenson chooses to reveal Carew’s murder through the perspective of the maid?
- The maid is described as being
“romantically given” (fanciful),
which suggests that she might be
exaggerating. By revealing the
murder through her perspective,
Stevenson makes it difficult for the
reader to know what to believe
about Hyde. - The maid’s account is written like a
police statement. This creates
distance between the reader and
the event itself.
How does Stevenson use language to make Carew’s murder seem shocking?
Stevenson describes the murder in the vivid detail. For example, he uses sensory language when he describes how the bones were “audibly shattered”. The body is also described as being “mangled”, which is a grotesque image. These brutal descriptions make Carew’s murder seem shocking.
What is found broken at the scene of the crime, and who does Utterson recognise it as belonging to?
There is “one splintered half” of the stick used to beat Carew at the scene. It originally belonged to Jekyll — Utterson recognises it as one he gave to Jekyll as a gift.
Why is Utterson asked to identify Carew’s body?
Carew was carrying a letter addressed to Utterson at the same time of his death.
What impression does the reader get of Hyde’s housekeeper? Give a reason for your answer.
The reader gets a contradictory impression of Hyde’s housekeeper — she has an “evil face, smoothed by hypocrisy”, but her manners are described as “excellent”. These contradictions may make the reader suspicious of her.
How does the policeman react when the murder victim is revealed to be Carew? What does his reaction suggest about human nature?
He is initially surprised, exclaiming “Good God”. His eyes then light up “with professional ambition” when he discovers the victim is a public figure. This shows that he wants us to use the situation to his own advantage — Stevenson could be suggesting that humans are often selfish in nature.
What shops are on the same street as Hyde’s house? What impression do they give you of the area Hyde lives in?
Hyde lives on a street with a “gin palace” (a bar which sells gin), a “low French eating house” and a shop that sells cheap food and magazines. These give the impression that the area in which Hyde lives is quite poor and run-down. The “gin palace” also links the area to sin, as drinking alcohol was considered to be sinful behaviour.
