Abdullah Javad11w English Coursework
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde
Describe how Stevenson creates a sense of atmosphere in the opening chapter of the novel?
Introduction:
The tension and suspense in the novel begins with the title, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It makes you want to know what the strange case was and how it affected the characters. One day, Utterson was out walking with the town distant kinsman Mr. Enfield when they passed a house Mr.Enfield tells Mr Utterson a strange case about the house. Description of the house makes reader feel mysterious. It is very strange compared to other houses. Appearance of the house foreshadows Mr.Hyde because the atmosphere of the house gives a sinister that it is clearly cold and unwelcoming just like its owner. Surely the house is a reflection of the people within. Mr.Hyde is known as very evil man. Mr.Enfield also talks about a story of Hyde and a little girl, in ‘some place at the end of the world, about three o’clock of a black winter morning.”. This gives reader a tension, and idea of isolation. Because no one would be around ‘at the end of the world, about three o’clock of a black winter morning.’ It is sense of sinister that something bad will happen. What happens is, Mr.Enfield describes it was hellish to see. This happening shows how evil Mr.Hyde is. How could he be so uncaring that he could trample down calmly over a little child? If you read the next bit Enfield tell Utterson about how people react to Mr. Hyde. He says “But gave me one look, so ugly that it brought out a sweat on me like running.” And anyone who sees him takes a loathing and disgust to Mr. Hyde. Even though someone who is very ‘cut-and-dry’, he turns “Very sick and white with the desire to kill him.” An evil character, Mr.Hyde creates feelings of loathing in those who see him and the happening indicates something more evil will occur. The house and name of Hyde gives secrecy. As I have written before, Mr.Enfield description of the house adds mystery. Cannot see inside, nobody goes in and out but once in a great while. Which creates very mysterious atmosphere and tension on the reader and Mr.Utterson? The name ‘Hyde’ sounds mysterious as well. It very sounds like ‘Hide’, not to be seen. Gives mystery but nothing. All the description about Mr.Hyde is strange to the reader. “There is SOMETHING (gives mystery) wrong with his appearance; something downright detestable. “He gives a strong feeling of deformity.” Writer tries to give very little information about Hyde, and it is not definitely horrific but reader gets the feeling or a presence of horror and very strong mystery. Mr.Enfield says, “Let’s make a bargain never to refer to this again.” Reader and Mr.Utterson wants to know more about Hyde to solve the mystery but Enfield’s wants to forget about him. Reader and Mr.Utterson knows just a little bit about Hyde and it is quite puzzled. Puzzled knowledge creates mystery and makes reader to desire for solving the mystery which also leads us to creating a sense of atmosphere.
