The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Question 1

How does the book begin?

Answer 1

Utterson and Enfield observe the door while on a walk

Question 2

When did Utterson first hear of Hyde? First suspect Hyde of being bad? First meet Hyde?

Answer 2

He first heard of him in Jekyll’s will, suspected him of being bad after hearing how he trampled the little girl, and met him outside the laboratory door

Question 3

Who does Hyde murder? How does he murder them? How does Jekyll react?

Answer 3

He beats Sir Danvers Carew with a cane, Jekyll is extremely remorseful

Question 4

What does Jekyll’s original will say? Why is this concerning to Mr. Utterson?

Answer 4

Jekyll leaves everything to Mr. Hyde. This is concerning considering what Mr. Utterson knows about Hyde’s character

Question 5

Who says, “If he be Mr. Hyde… I shall be Mr. Seek.”?

Answer 5

Mr. Utterson

Question 6

What causes Jekyll and Lanyon’s relationship to decline? What causes it to end?

Answer 6

Lanyon disagrees with Jekyll’s scientific methods and reasoning. The relationship ends after Lanyon witnesses the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde.

Question 7

Who identifies the murder victim’s body?

Answer 7

Mr. Utterson

Question 8

To whom does Dr. Jekyll initially reveal the truth about himself and Mr. Hyde?

Answer 8

Lanyon

Question 9

What shocks Dr. Lanyon into a sudden and unexpected death?

Answer 9

He witnesses the transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde

Question 10

What is Mr. Utterson’s occupation?

Answer 10

Lawyer

Question 11

Who is the initial heir of Dr. Jekyll’s will?

Answer 11

Edward Hyde

Question 12

How is Mr. Hyde described by other characters?

Answer 12

Evil, deformed, small in stature

Question 13

Who says, “Lanyon, you remember your views; what follows is under the seal of our profession. And now, you who have so long been bound to the most narrow and material views, you who have denied the virtue of transcendental medicine, you who have derided your superiors – behold!”?

Answer 13

Dr. Jekyll

Question 14

Who says, “The most ransacking pangs succeeded: a grinding in the bones, deadly nausea, and a horror of the spirit that cannot be exceeded at the hour of birth or death. Then, these agonies began swiftly to subside, and I came to myself as if out of a great sickness.”?

Answer 14

Dr. Jekyll

Question 15

How does the narrative end?

Answer 15

Jekyll asks for forgiveness

Question 16

In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll is referred to as tall, older, and good looking, while Mr. Hyde is described as small, young, and deformed income way. What is the reason for the difference in their appearances?

Answer 16

Hyde, representing evil, is less often used by Jekyll

Question 17

What incident makes Dr. Jekyll realize his experiment has moved beyond his control? How does he react?

Answer 17

He suddenly turns into Mr. Hyde while in the park and panics.

Question 18

How does Stevenson interact with the topic of good and evil in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Answer 18

He explores what may happen if they existed separately, and how as humans we need both to balance each other out

Question 19

How would you characterize Jekyll’s relationship to Hyde? Why does Jekyll seem to need to be Hyde?

Answer 19

In the beginning, Jekyll doesn’t mind having Hyde as his doppelgänger, but becomes frustrated when he looses his control of himself. Jekyll needs to be Hyde to release his human desires to be evil.

Question 20

List one example of symbolism in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. What does it represent, and what does it add to the story?

Answer 20

Keys and doors represent transformation, and this foreshadows the transformation of Jekyll within the locked doors of the laboratory

Question 21

Write a thematic statement about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Explain what led you to the conclusion that you’ve reached.

Answer 21

Good and evil must exist together, and cannot be controlled when separated.