Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Overall Summary and Analysis Flashcards
Plot Summary
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is a narrative about the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature. Dr Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who meddles with the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his ‘second’ nature.
He does this through transforming himself into Mr Hyde - his evil alter ego who doesn’t repent or accept responsibility for his evil crimes and ways. Jekyll tries to control his alter ego, Hyde, and for a while, Jekyll has the power. However, towards the end of the novel, Hyde takes over and this results in their deaths.
Summarise 7 key points in the novel
Utterson hears the story of how Hyde, Jekyll’s friend, trampled on a girl.
Utterson meets Hyde and is shocked. He wonders why his respectable friend could befriend such a person.
A year later, Carew is murdered by Hyde. Jekyll is deeply affected by this and refuses to speak to anybody. Hyde goes missing.
Utterson goes to speak to Lanyon because he is concerned about Jekyll. Lanyon refuses to speak about Jekyll and hands Utterson a letter that must only be opened at the disappearance or death of Jekyll.
In the middle of the night, Utterson is summoned to Jekyll’s house where he breaks down the laboratory door and discovers a dead man. Utterson reads Jekyll’s newly amended will and takes Jekyll’s confession to read at home.
As Jekyll has disappeared, Utterson reads Dr Lanyon’s letter which tells him the true nature of Jekyll’s experiments.
Utterson reads Jekyll’s confession which reveals the true identity of Mr Hyde.
Describe how the narrative starts
The narrative begins with Mr Utterson and Enfield taking a walk. During their walk, they see a strange and sinister building, which happens to be attached to Utterson’s good friend, Dr Jekyll’s house. On seeing this building, Enfield tells the tale of Mr Hyde, the occupant of the derelict house. He tells Utterson about how Hyde trampled on a young girl’s leg and had no remorse about his evil actions.
Utterson becomes obsessed with Mr Hyde and his story and wants to meet him. He begins to enquire about Mr Hyde and watches the door.
Utterson meeting Hyde
Finally, Utterson meets Mr Hyde and he is greatly shocked by the man. He feels a great sense of worry and despair when he has a conversation with him. Utterson goes to warn Dr Jekyll but Poole, Jekyll’s butler, says he is not around and Jekyll has ordered them all to let Mr Hyde come and go as he pleases.
Two weeks later, at a friend’s dinner party, Utterson asks Jekyll about his will - about the main benefactor being Mr Hyde. Jekyll laughs off Utterson’s worries and asks him to speak no more of the matter. Jekyll assures Utterson that he has it all under control.
Give a summary of the Carew’s Murder
Nearly a year later, a well-respected man, Sir Danvers Carew, is brutally murdered by Mr Hyde. The murder weapon is Dr Jekyll’s walking cane. An eyewitness suffers severe distress and cannot believe the brutality of Hyde’s attack. This fuels Utterson’s wish to see Hyde pay for his actions.
Hyde goes Missing
Dr Jekyll becomes very ill and isolated. He reassures everybody that he is rid of Mr Hyde. The police can’t find Hyde and Jekyll becomes happier and more sociable as a result.
Lanyon Suffers a Shock
Suddenly, Dr Jekyll becomes depressed and refuses to see Utterson. Utterson decides to visit Jekyll’s oldest friend, Dr Lanyon. Dr Lanyon is on his death-bed and refuses to discuss Jekyll. Lanyon dies and leaves a letter for Utterson that says it shouldn’t be opened until the death of disappearance of Dr Jekyll.
Jekyll’s Laboratory
One evening, Jekyll’s servant comes to Utterson and asks him to go to Jekyll’s house. Utterson goes and listens at the locked laboratory door where strange noises are heard. Poole tells Utterson that the laboratory has been locked for days. The person inside the laboratory keeps asking for chemicals and complains that the ones Poole has found aren’t ‘pure’.
Jekyll is Found
Utterson and Poole break down the laboratory door. On the floor there is a small, deformed person wearing Jekyll’s clothes, he is twitching and holding a vial. On the desk there is a copy of Jekyll’s will with Hyde’s name crossed out and Utterson’s instead. There is also a confession written by Jekyll. Utterson takes the documents home to study.
A confession
Utterson reads Dr Lanyon’s letter which tells Utterson the true nature of Jekyll’s experiments and the true identity of Mr Hyde. Utterson reads Dr Jekyll’s ‘Statement of the Case’ where Jekyll confesses his dark experiments and how Hyde became too controlling. Utterson is amazed and shocked by it all.
Describe the theme of duality of human nature
The duality of human nature is the main theme of the novel. This is the idea that every human being has good and evil within them.
Stevenson shows this duality in the novel with Dr Jekyll’s experiment, but we learn that ultimately what is important is how you behave and the decisions that you make. This determines whether a person is good or not.
Jekyll’s experiment is at the heart of this theme. He seeks to separate these sides of human nature and rid himself of the evil one. Dr Jekyll comes to represent the good side of human nature while Mr Hyde represents the evil side.
The tipping point of the story comes when Hyde murders Sir Danvers Carew. Evil triumphs over good and Jekyll loses control over the opposing sides of his nature. As the novel progresses Stevenson shows us that Jekyll’s idea will not work and that these opposing sides are dependant on each other to some extent.
This duality is also shown in his portrayal of London. Victorian London is portrayed as a world split into two halves with bright and grand squares contrasting with seedy back streets. This is best shown in Dr Jekyll’s house which has a grand façade but a neglected and grubby back door.
Give quotes to support the theme of duality of human nature
“I learned to recognise the thorough and primitive duality of man.”
“The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood”.
“I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two.”
“I learned to recognise the thorough and primitive duality of man.”
Jekyll discusses the idea of duality. He considers it “primitive” and part of man’s essential nature.
“The street shone out in contrast to its dingy neighbourhood”.
An example of the theme of duality symbolised in the description of the city.
“I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two.”
Jekyll recognises the duality of human nature and recognises that this will ultimately destroy him.
