Throughout the novel Hyde has a powerful effect on all who encounter him. Choose two different characters and compare how they react to Hyde. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson

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Coursework on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde                       

Maryam Jan   10SAS

Throughout the novel Hyde has a powerful effect on all who encounter him. Choose two different characters and compare how they react to Hyde.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson set in Victorian England 1886 At this time in history there was a huge gap between the modern and respectable community in contrast to the other side, which was well known for its brothels and shadiness. This is the environment in which Robert Louis Stevenson was bought up and this reality of life ties in perfectly with the story. He was more interested in the darker side of life, which is why this novel and his life link together. It is set in the genre of suspense, mystery and a kind of gothic theme. This novel was written at a time when scientific experiments and knowledge was expanding, including the theory of Charles Darwin. He believed that humans had evolved from apes through the survival of the fittest. This was the reason for the huge amount of interest made by the audience at that time because they would have been interested in the scientific advancements. This novel has been the root and foundation for many modern films and books, which makes it just as popular today as it was in 1886.

                Hyde is one of the main characters in the story. He is encountered in the first chapter. We know he is quite short as Enfield describes him as being “…a little man…”. When Mr Utterson sees he also describes him as being “…pale and dwarfish…”. Not only Enfield but everyone who bumps into Hyde seems to feel that he gives a “…impression of deformity without any nameable malformation. Even a smile which is associated with happiness is turned sour on Hyde’s face – “…displeasing smile…”. Everything about Hyde is bad even the simplest things for e.g. – the way he talks – “…with a sort of timidity and boldness…”. His appearance though is nowhere near the distinct evil aura that Hyde gives off. Everybody who passes by Hyde seems to get a chill that runs to the top of their spines and makes the hairs on their necks rise -”…kind of cold and thin…”

                Hyde is often compared to animals and given animalistic features – “...Hissing intake of breath…” – “…snarled aloud with a savage laugh…”. These metaphors picture in our head that Hyde is a kind of person who somewhere has non-human characteristics. Mr Utterson actually says that Hyde seems “…hardly human…”.

                At the scene of the murder of Sir Danvers Carew hear again we hear Hyde been described as having “…ape like fury…” and acting “…like a madman…”. All these similes in indicate that Hyde has some kind of mental deformity as well as a physical malformation.

                Satan or the devil is supposed to be the root or cause of all the problems and evil; once again by comparing Hyde to Satan Robert Louis Stevenson is once more comparing him to evil. All these feature and characteristics add up to Hyde not being a repulsing man but a man who everybody loathes without any real reason.

                Mr Utterson is the narrator of the story through majority of the novel, and throughout the book he is in the same position as the reader. Mr Utterson is a well liked and respected man who likes to keep himself to himself. His occupation is a lawyer, which is useful to the plot as he links too many people through his profession. He is close friend of Dr Jekyll and Dr Lanyon. Through the novel we first hear of Hyde in The Story of the Door but Utterson knows of him before this through Jekyll’s will. Mr Utterson refuses to have anything to do with the will but once he hears bad things about Hyde he decides to investigate further. Hyde really makes Utterson curious because he waits along time to see Hyde – “…I shall be Mr Seek…”. After a long wait Utterson finally meets Hyde and when he does he’s filled with “…unknown disgust…”. Without any reason or personal grudge Utterson feels “…loathing and fear…”. He describes Hyde as being “…hardly human…”. Utterson cannot seem to find a word for it, but for some reason he hates Hyde and he doesn’t know why – “…if I could find a name for it…”. Hyde gives Utterson a feeling of  “…deformity without any nameable malformation…”, and all these are points against Hyde which makes Utterson distrust and not like Hyde even more.

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                At Dr Jekyll’s dinner party Mr Utterson tries to bring up the subject of the will. As the conversation draws nearer to Hyde and when his name is mentioned Jekyll “…grows pale to the very lips…”. Jekyll discards the topic and tells Utterson he is “…painfully situated…” and that Utterson has nothing to worry about.

                Mr Utterson is very closely interlinked with the Carew murder case because the MP Sir Danves Carew has a letter in his pocket which bears the name of Mr Utterson. As the officer gives Mr Utterson detail of the murderer, Mr Utterson recognises the name ...

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