mr enfield Flashcards
In Chapter 1, Mr. Enfield is recounting to Mr. Utterson how he witnessed Mr. Hyde trample a young girl as he was rounding a corner. Enfield describes how he held the man captive, demanding money to keep the incident quiet. The fact that Hyde complies so readily underscores the Victorian Era’s emphasis on personal reputation.
Well, sir, he was like the rest of us; every time he looked at my prisoner, I saw that Sawbones turn sick and white with desire to kill him. I knew what was in his mind, just as he knew what was in mine; and killing being out of the question, we did the next best. We told the man we could and would make such a scandal out of this as should make his name stink from one end of London to the other. If he had any friends or any credit, we undertook that he should lose them.
Enfield describes to Utterson how the check he received from the disreputable Hyde was signed by the reputable Jekyll. Enfield puzzles over how two men of vastly different reputations could be related. Enfield’s words highlight the importance of reputation in Victorian society, and the question of Jekyll’s relationship to Hyde drives the rest of the story.
Yes, it’s a bad story. For my man was a fellow that nobody could have to do with, a really damnable man; and the person that drew the cheque is the very pink of the proprieties, celebrated too, and (what makes it worse) one of your fellows who do what they call good.”
In Chapter 7, Utterson and Enfield are taking a walk and see Jekyll in the window of his house. Utterson invites him to join them for a walk, at which point Jekyll’s face begins to change into Hyde’s. Utterson and Enfield have just witnessed something terrifyingly bizarre, yet Enfield chooses not to speak about it. Enfield’s response shows the breakdown of language when the characters face the supernatural.
“But Mr. Enfield only nodded his head very seriously, and walked on once more in silence.”
