Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde Essay Example
Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde Essay Example

Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde Essay Example

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Chapter 1

The story begins with a description of Mr. Utterson, a lawyer in London. Mr. Utterson is portrayed as a reserved and conservative man who conceals his true personality. He is tolerant towards the peculiarities and flaws of others. It is mentioned that in his younger years, he witnessed his brother's downfall, and he often finds himself being the last respectable person that individuals turning towards evil or ruin confide in. This suggests Utterson's future involvement with evil events.

Mr. Utterson is friends with Richard Enfield, despite their stark differences. They regularly go for walks together on Sundays, regardless of their other obligations. While strolling down a usually busy lane on a Sunday, Enfield points out an old building with few windows

...

and a single basement door.

Enfield recounts an incident where he witnessed a bizarre and deformed man colliding with a young girl on a late night around 3:00 am. Instead of stopping to help, the strange man callously continues walking right over the terrified girl, leaving her crying out in fear.

Enfield rushes over to attend to the girl along with her family, while the strange man continues his onward journey. Enfield chases after him and insists on his return. A doctor is called to evaluate the situation, and both Enfield and the doctor harbor an odd hatred towards the man. They warn him that they will discredit him in every possible way unless he compensates the girl.

The strange man agreed to offer 100 British pounds. Enfield observes that the man is reminiscent of Satan in the way he appears

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emotionally detached from the situation. The strange man presented a cheque signed by a notable individual, and together they cashed it the next morning. Enfield remarks that he refers to the building as Black Mail House. Utterson queries Enfield about the occupants of the building, but Enfield explains that he doesn't inquire about strange things: "the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask." The building appears to be inhabited, and the two men continue their walk. Enfield adds that the peculiar man he encountered that night appeared deformed, although he cannot explain how. Utterson assures Enfield that his story has piqued his interest. They both agree never to discuss the matter again.

Chapter 2

Later that evening, Utterson returns home. Instead of reading until midnight, he examines the will of his friend Henry Jekyll, a highly educated doctor. The will dictates that Jekyll's possessions and position should be passed onto a man named Mr. Hyde, whom Utterson has never heard of or met. Utterson visits Dr. Lanyon, an old friend from school and college who is acquainted with both himself and Jekyll, to inquire about Hyde. However, Lanyon confesses that he is unfamiliar with Hyde's identity.Lanyon employs evil references to describe Jekyll, using terms like "devilish" and "gone wrong" which foreshadow a malevolent relationship between Jekyll and Hyde. Utterson senses that something is amiss between the two individuals, causing him to lose sleep throughout the night. Utterson contemplates how the peculiar man Enfield spoke of could trample a child without concern. In an attempt to find this strange man, whom he suspects to be Mr. Hyde, Utterson surveils the entrance of the mysterious building.

On one occasion, Utterson discovers Hyde and confronts him as he is about to enter the peculiar door, confirming that Hyde is indeed the mysterious man. Hyde exhibits unpleasantness, coldness, defiance, and confidence. By convincing Hyde to reveal his face, Utterson implies his knowledge of Jekyll's will. Privately, Utterson refers to Hyde as "troglodytic," denoting a primitive and repugnant human being. Determined to understand the situation further, Utterson decides to visit Jekyll at an unusual hour. At Jekyll's residence, Utterson learns from the servants that Hyde never dines there but consistently occupies the laboratory with his own key. Although rarely seen by the servants, they are obliged to comply with his commands. Upon leaving, Utterson reflects on his own life, considering any misdeeds he may be responsible for and contemplating the potential wrongdoings committed by his friend Jekyll. Based on these discoveries, he concludes that Hyde must embody severe evil, surpassing anything Jekyll may have ever done.Utterson is determined to uncover the evil deeds committed by Hyde, despite his concern that Jekyll will disapprove. He contemplates the peculiar will of Jekyll, which states that if he disappears for more than three months, his estate should be given to Hyde. Utterson worries that Hyde might harm Jekyll in order to inherit the estate. In Chapter 3, Utterson attends a dinner party hosted by Dr. Jekyll. He stays behind after the party to discuss the will with Jekyll. At first, Jekyll tries to divert the conversation towards his scientific rivalry with Dr. Lanyon, but Utterson persists. Utterson expresses his belief that the will is problematic, but Jekyll wishes to avoid discussing it further. Jekyll claims that he

is in a unique position and cannot resolve the situation through conversation alone, but Utterson assures him of his trustworthiness and willingness to help confidentially. Jekyll insists that he is in control and can get rid of Hyde as he pleases. He implores Utterson to leave the matter alone and explains his strong interest in Hyde and his desire for Utterson to follow his will and protect Jekyll's estate for Hyde if anything were to happen to him. Utterson promises to fulfill this responsibility.

In Chapter 4, one of Jekyll's maid servants witnesses an encounter between Hyde and Sir Danvers on a foggy night from her window. They converse under her window, but suddenly Hyde becomes furious and violently strikes Danvers with his heavy cane. The force of Hyde's attack causes severe injuries to Danvers, resulting in his bones being crushed. Overwhelmed by the sight, the maid faints. Upon regaining consciousness, she immediately calls the police for help. The authorities discover a purse, a gold watch, and an envelope addressed to Utterson on the victim's person, but there are no documents or cards present. Additionally, they find a portion of Hyde's broken cane, which resembles one that Utterson had previously given to Jekyll. As a result, Utterson accompanies the police to Hyde's residence in Soho. While arriving at Hyde's house, Utterson notices the dark and eerie atmosphere caused by the brown fog and contemplates the fear that people must harbor towards both the law and the police.

At Hyde's house, they are greeted by an elderly woman with pale skin, gray hair, and an evil expression. Initially reluctant to cooperate, she appears

content upon learning that Hyde may be facing trouble. Inside the house, Utterson and the police inspector observe that only a few rooms are being utilized.

They discovered evidence indicating that Hyde was responsible for the murder: Hyde's clothes were in disarray, a burnt checkbook was found, the missing part of the cane was located, and it was discovered that Hyde had a substantial amount of money in his bank account. The inspector believed they could apprehend Hyde when he returned to the bank, but they did not have an accurate description of him, making it impossible to prepare the bank for his recognition upon his return.

In Chapter 5, Utterson visits Jekyll's house and goes up to his bedroom. He finds Jekyll unwell and not bothering to get up and greet him. Utterson mentions that Danvers was his client and asks if Jekyll is hiding Hyde. Jekyll confidently assures Utterson that Hyde is safe, a fact that surprises him. Jekyll then gives Utterson a letter written by Hyde, where Hyde apologizes for causing trouble but expresses concern that the letter may damage Jekyll's reputation. Utterson deems this as a selfish consideration. He believes that Hyde influenced Jekyll's will and informs him that he was fortunate because Hyde intended to kill him. Jekyll becomes upset and remarks, "Oh what a lesson I have learned!" Before leaving, Utterson inquires with the servant about any delivered letters, but is told that no such letters were received.

That night, Utterson invites his assistant, Mr. Guest, to examine the letter in order to hear his thoughts on the issue. Guest observes that Hyde's handwriting is identical to Jekyll's, but with

a different slant. Utterson cannot fathom why Jekyll would forge Hyde's letter for him. The police investigation into Hyde's background reveals his violent reputation. Meanwhile, Jekyll appears to be in better spirits than ever before. On January 6th, Jekyll hosts a dinner party attended by Utterson and Lanyon. However, Jekyll refuses any further visitors after this date. Utterson decides to visit Lanyon but discovers that Lanyon appears extremely ill and refuses to divulge the cause, except that he has experienced a shock. It seems that Lanyon has been terrified and pleads not to be reminded of Jekyll. Utterson returns home and writes a complaint to Jekyll regarding his refusal to receive visitors and Lanyon's strange condition. The following day, Jekyll replies expressing his apologies and understanding for Lanyon's desire to never hear of him again, without giving an explanation. Jekyll requests Utterson to allow him to suffer alone for a great evil deed he has committed. Utterson believes that there must be a significant explanation for the unusual behavior of both Lanyon and Jekyll. A week later, Utterson receives a letter from Lanyon containing another letter marked as not to be opened until Jekyll disappears.

Utterson resists the temptation to open the envelope, respecting the instructions. He consults with Jekyll's servant, Poole, who informs him that Jekyll remains locked in his room, unable to sleep or find solace in reading. Utterson gradually reduces his visits. Walking with Richard Enfield once more, they make a pact to never encounter Hyde again. Enfield discloses that the building Hyde entered long ago was Jekyll's residence. Passing by Jekyll's house, they spot him through a window. Utterson urges him to

join them for a walk, but Jekyll declines, opting instead to converse from the window. Suddenly, Jekyll's expression turns to terror and the blinds close, concealing him from view. Troubled, Utterson and Enfield exchange glances and continue walking. In Chapter 8, Poole rushes to Utterson's house in a state of panic, revealing that Jekyll is once again locked up in his room. Poole fears that Jekyll has been murdered and that the assailant remains inside, pacing and uttering distressing sounds. Agreeing to accompany Poole to Jekyll's residence, Utterson finds the household staff gathered around the fireplace in trepidation of the activities occurring in Jekyll's room. Poole insists that Utterson should listen to what is happening inside.Continuing their journey, Poole calls out to Jekyll informing him that Utterson has come to visit. In response, a voice pleads with Utterson to leave Jekyll alone. Poole then reports that Jekyll/Hyde has been discarding papers with chemical orders from different London companies, claiming they are impure. Upon examination, they discover that the handwriting on the notes belongs to Jekyll, but with a peculiar slant resembling Hyde's. Poole mentions seeing the person in the room resembling Hyde instead of Jekyll. Both Poole and Utterson decide to forcefully enter Jekyll's room using an axe in order to find out what has occurred.

To prevent Jekyll/Hyde from escaping if he manages to evade them, two other servants are stationed near the door. Recognizing the potential danger, Poole and Utterson contemplate the risks involved in their plan. While waiting for the servants to take their positions, they sit in the old surgery theater where Poole describes how Jekyll/Hyde paces and occasionally

cries out. Once the servants are ready, Utterson warns Jekyll that they are about to enter, and the voice pleads with him not to. Breaking in, they discover Hyde convulsing and dying on the floor. Despite searching the premises, they cannot find Jekyll's body. However, they do come across various items such as chemicals, a book, a cheval-glass, and a peculiar drug. Their thorough search of the house still yields no sign of Jekyll's body.Utterson discovers Jekyll's most recent will, which surprises him because it designates Utterson as the beneficiary instead of Hyde. Utterson also finds a note written by Jekyll himself, but is hesitant to read it. The note explains that Jekyll has disappeared and urges Utterson to read a letter sent by Lanyon, along with Jekyll's own confession enclosed with the note. Utterson then goes back to his office to read these crucial documents. In Chapter 9, Lanyon receives a letter from Jekyll, emphasizing its importance. The letter instructs Lanyon to go to Jekyll's house, break into his cabinet, retrieve a drawer containing a specific drug, and return to his own home's consulting room to await a visitor at midnight. Lanyon follows these instructions, finding the drug that Jekyll must have created himself. He remains armed with a revolver in case he needs to defend himself while waiting for the visitor.At midnight, Hyde arrives with great enthusiasm and appears almost insane to obtain the drug. However, he maintains enough composure. Once Lanyon hands it over, a chilling smile emerges on Hyde's face. He then taunts Lanyon, declaring him a foolish individual who will now witness evidence of "transcendental medicine." Hyde consumes the drug

and undergoes a horrifying transformation into Jekyll, a sight that relentlessly haunts Lanyon until his final days leading to his death. In concluding his letter, Lanyon confesses that the details Jekyll divulged are too dreadful to disclose, except for the fact that Jekyll and Hyde are one and the same.

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