Jekyll and Hyde Overview Flashcards
Mr Utterson
A respectable lawyer, he symbolises honesty and acts as the moral compass of the novella.
Dr Jekyll
A seemingly reputable doctor, he symbolises repression as well as insatiable curiosity.
Mr Hyde
Dr Jekyll’s evil doppelganger he symbolises man’s basal instincts.
Dr Lanyon
A well respected member of the scientific community he symbolises reputability and acts as a foil to Dr Jekyll.
Poole
Dr Jekyll’s butler, he symbolises loyalty.
Sir Danvers Carew
An MP and member of high society his death symbolises Hyde’s disregard for conventional authority.
Mr Enfield
Mr Utterson’s cousin, he is key to the theme of repression and silence.
Scene 1
This is significant as it is our first introduction to Hyde so shapes our perceptions of him
throughout as well as introducing key themes to the reader.
Scene 2
Stevenson creates a sense of foreboding by introducing Dr Jekyll in the context of his will.
Scene 3
Lanyon reveals his opinions of Jekyll, further intriguing Utterson as well as the reader.
Scene 4
Although the trampling of the girl is horrific, the murder of Carew is the first act of evil that the reader “witnesses” creating more horror.
Scene 5
Stevenson gives the reader few details of the death of Lanyon, creating mystery and also implicating Jekyll further.
Scene 6
This scene is the climax of the novella, all of the reader’s fears and suspicions are relieved at this point, creating a feeling of catharsis.
Scene 7
This is the first scene in which the true identity of Hyde is revealed.
Scene 8
Whilst the rest of the novel can be seen as a detective case, this chapter acts as a confession by Jekyll. It is arguably the most significant chapter as all of the unknowns of the rest of the text are finally explained.
