Some elements of this novel seem coincidental. For example when Utterson was reading the letter from Dr Jekyll right next to the handwriting expert called Mr Guest. This plot is there do the plot can move on fluently.
The narrative structure in the novel is achronological, however the book starts in chronological order. This informs the reader why Jekyll would want to be another person. The last chapter “Henry Jekyll’s Full Statement of the Case” gives us information about events before the opening chapter of the book.
Stevenson uses various narrational techniques. One narrational technique that Stevenson uses in this novel is dialogue. An example of dialogue is in chapter two when Utterson is talking to Dr Lanyon about Dr Jekyll. Another narrational technique which Stevenson uses in the novel is multiple narrators. An example of this is when Utterson is reading the letter from Dr Lanyon. It may be Utterson reading the letters but it is Dr Lanyon telling his side of the story. The novel starts in third person narrator and ends in first person narrator.
Stevenson wants us to trust Utterson because Utterson is a lawyer who is narrating the story, also because Utterson is reliable. He also wants us to trust Utterson because this builds up mystery.
We have been given first person accounts by Jekyll and Lanyon. The styles of the language of the letters changes to reflect the narrator. An example of this is when Jekyll says “primitive duality”; this tells the reader that he believes that man has two sides. However when Lanyon says “I kept my hand ready on my weapon”, this tells us, the reader that he isn’t a soft hearted person. This books language style contains realism.
Jekyll believes all human beings have a good side and an evil side, an example of this is when he says “primitive duality”; this is saying that we have two conflicting sides. Jekyll is a hypocrite because he takes no responsibility over what Hyde has done but drinks the potion to turn into Hyde.
Hyde is an evil person. An example of this is when he murders Sir Danvers Carew. Hyde acts animalistic. An example of this is when it says “ape-like fury” this tells us that when he gets angry he acts like an animal. Hyde commits a lot of evil deeds, for example when he tramples over the girl in the beginning of the book.
Utterson is a lawyer. Utterson is a person who is not quick to show his emotions. Utterson is pragmatic, this means he is a very active person, an example of this is when he says “I can take you to is house” this tells us he is an active person because he goes everywhere. Utterson is a very trustworthy person. He knows the importance of reputation in Victorian society.
Lanyon believes in empirical science, this means seeing things to believe it. Lanyon can’t cope with the reality of Jekyll and Hyde.
Poole is a lower class person who speaks in non standard english.
Enfield goes for a walk with Utterson every Sunday morning.
Stevenson uses a lot of literally techniques. One technique he uses is personification. Personification is when something which is not human is described to be human. An example of personification is when it says “The fog still slept on the wing above the drowned city”; this is personification because we know that fog really can’t sleep only humans can. Another technique he uses is metaphors. A metaphor is when a description is given to an object to make it come to life. An example of a metaphor in this novel is when it says “He had his death-warrant written legibly upon his face” this is a metaphor because we know that he didn’t really have anything written on his face. Another technique Stevenson uses is similes. An example of a simile is when it says “like some damned Juggernaut” this is a simile because it contains like in the phrase.
Lots of symbols are used in this novel. One symbol is fog; fog is used because fog hides things, this links in with the secrecy theme. Another symbol used in the novel is London in darkness, this is to symbolise the novel has negative things ahead. Another symbol is windows which are absent and can’t see through, this is to symbolise secrecy in Victorian society. Another symbol is types of door. If you had a rundown door, Victorian people would think you are a bad person. If you had a good or attractive door, Victorian people would think you are a good person.
Stevenson uses effective descriptive techniques; he builds up a calm, relaxed picture, and then shocks us with sudden violence. An example of this is in “the Carew murder case” chapter, first we are given a description of the maid then we are given a description of the murder of Sir Danvers Carew.
Stevenson uses archaic, old fashioned language. An example is when it says “troglodytic” this means trolls.
The book is relevant today because in the same way that Jekyll is addicted to Hyde, people in modern society are addicted to alcohol and cigarettes to relieve pressure. The message in this book is if we ignore our evil side it will return with more vengeance which you wouldn’t be able to control. I think this book links in very well with Victorian society.
