The role of the first chapter of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', as with the first chapter of any novel, is to capture the reader's interest. This is vital, so that they are captivated enough to continue with the novel.
The role of the first chapter of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', as with the first chapter of any novel, is to capture the reader's interest. This is vital, so that they are captivated enough to continue with the novel. This interest can be gained in a number of ways; this essay will discuss the effectiveness of the first chapter of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', and how it capture's the reader's interest by establishing setting, character and themes.
Robert Louis Stevenson created 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' after a childhood and early adulthood of illness and nightmares. In these nightmares, 'Hyde' appeared to him as a then-unnamed demon, fears which were not helped by his childhood nurse's tales of Hell. Another factor that lead to the writing of Jekyll and Hyde was the continuous arguments with his father, a Calvinist with strong, puritanical views on religion. The views which Stevenson had conflicted with those of his father, who thought that Stevenson's previous works - children's books and poems - were sufficient, and any dealings with a more sinister genre would prevent him from entering Heaven. Stevenson's father's views were reflected in a confused Edinburgh, where religious views were affecting a whole society...
At a time when Charles Darwin's book 'The Origin of the Species' was causing a period of change and unease within society over the theory of evolution, and the possibility that God hadn't created man, everyone appeared confused. At the same time, Froid was investigating the theory of dreams, another timeless question. After hypnotising his clients, he concluded that people's dreams revealed their subconscious thoughts, their true desires. This view was indeed supported by Stevenson's own confession that in dreams, his "sins are strangely attractive".
Living in Edinburgh would no doubt have affected Stevenson too, especially as the city was now split into the New Town and the Old Town, or the informal good/evil split. Edinburgh was now a town of secrets, and the influential Old Town where Stevenson spent much of his time was clearly the idea behind Jekyll's street in Stevenson's novel. This period also coincided with 'Jack the Ripper' violently murdering prostitutes, and another mysterious case for society. More prominent in Edinburgh's society would've been Deacon Brodie: a real-life 'man-about-town' who was a professional locksmith by day, an occupation which granted him access to the houses of the rich and famous; however he abused this privilege by making copies of the keys and burgling them at night. Stevenson would've been aware of these criminals, and certainly some of the characters in his novel reflect them.
The duality of Edinburgh, the many visits he had with doctors during illnesses, the religious upbringing and religious upheaval within his society, 'Jack the Ripper' and Deacon Brodie all combined as factors - both societal and personal - of the idea behind 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
The duality of his hometown is also reflected in the specific theme of his novel, concerning the opposing personalities that Stevenson believed existed within everyone. This is a timeless theme, as this is one of the unanswered questions posed by scientists, and so the novel still interests audiences now, over a century after it was written. Stevenson's characters help to capture audience attention too; their personalities are both captivating and mysterious, causing curiosity from the reader and a need to discover more about them.
The first character the reader is introduced to is Mr Utterson, Dr ...
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The duality of his hometown is also reflected in the specific theme of his novel, concerning the opposing personalities that Stevenson believed existed within everyone. This is a timeless theme, as this is one of the unanswered questions posed by scientists, and so the novel still interests audiences now, over a century after it was written. Stevenson's characters help to capture audience attention too; their personalities are both captivating and mysterious, causing curiosity from the reader and a need to discover more about them.
The first character the reader is introduced to is Mr Utterson, Dr Jekyll's lawyer, and Mr Enfield's distant kinsman.
In the first chapter of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', Mr Utterson's professional status (in a Victorian society where position was important) leads to him having a
detective-like role - like detectives, lawyers have to investigate and discover as much as they can about their clients. Utterson fits this mould as he is attempting to uncover the mystery of Jekyll and Hyde, asking the questions that the audience themselves would want answered. Being alike to a detective, he is also an impartial character - although important, his character never takes sides, and though Hyde is clearly an evil presence, when told about him Utterson merely asks whether Enfield is "sure he used a key?"; this is after being told how "detestable" Hyde is, and proves that Utterson is a man who is interested only in the story. This would entice readers because they are curious to know why Utterson has ignored what seems the obvious path of conversation - Hyde's apparent evilness - and instead chosen to focus on a seemingly trivial point.
Another way in which the audience can relate to him is that he seems entirely normal - he is described as being "austere with himself", drinking gin because he had "a taste for vintages" and denying himself the pleasure of visiting the theatre because it wasn't a considered a respectable pastime. This admittance to having to be strict with himself when he would rather be indulgent is not only alike to the majority of Victorian society - and indeed society throughout time - but Utterson also seems to represent Stevenson himself. Stevenson's obsessively religious upbringing seems to be portrayed through Utterson, who mentions "Cain's heresy"; Cain was one of Adam and Eve's two sons, the other being Abel. When God asked for a sacrifice, Abel gave a lamb from his flock of sheep, whereas Cain gave only fruit. God was furious with Cain because he didn't feel that fruit was a respectable sacrifice; He also said that Cain's offering showed his rebellious nature, because the slaying of an animal is required for sin to be forgiven. Utterson's mention of religion, and the story behind this particular reference, link closely to the genre of Stevenson's novel, and society as a whole.
The story of Cain and Abel expresses the same opinion as Stevenson's Calvinist parents - that a person was either good or bad - there were no grey areas, and what you did whilst you were living directly affected whether you were bound for Heaven or Hell. This good/bad divide is another example of duality; this theme is also reflected in Utterson's appearance - although he is a man of "rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile" he is also "somehow lovable".
Utterson's attraction to sin, (yet refusal to sink below his professional status), his representation of the majority of Victorian society, his likeness to the author himself, and the detective-like way in which he attempts to unfurl the plot, all make him an essential, and empathic, character. Because of this, Utterson's character in the story helps to draw readers in further, and holds their attention throughout the first chapter. His role within 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' is therefore successful in my eyes.
The character of Mr Richard Enfield, however, is not a major role within the first chapter. Although he is the main speaker, he is used by Stevenson as a vehicle through which the story of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' is established. He represents another duality, being almost an exact opposite of Mr Utterson in his reputation. Where Utterson is respectable and trusted, the "last good influence on the lives of down-going men", Enfield's occupation is not revealed, although he is described as a "well-known man about town", and many cannot see what he and Utterson find in common to converse about. However, their weekly meeting took priority over any business or other pleasures; this in itself makes the readers wonder what it is which links these two opposing characters so strongly. This refers back to the genre of duality - do Utterson and Enfield represent flip sides of the same coin, their personalities so conflicting that together they are like one person, whereas apart they are only half a complete character? That would seem to be the case, as the whole tale of Jekyll and Hyde only
surfaced because Enfield was the only witness to Hyde's monstrosity - at three o'clock in the morning. This was on the way home from "some place at the end of the world"; Enfield's character represents that portion of society who do not - like Utterson - repress their sins, and instead give in to the pressures of drink, gambling and prostitution. His colloquial tone when referring to taking consolatory money from Hyde is quite unlike the respectable language which Utterson would use: "we screwed him up to a hundred pounds for the child's family" Enfield remarks.
In my view, Enfield is not a compulsory character to the novel; although his questions and answers give structure to the text, he is simply used to introduce the character of Mr Hyde in the first chapter. However, his contrasting personality to Mr Utterson is arresting and would further reinforce the reader's attention.
Enfield's introduction of Mr Hyde as a character is detailed - he gives a meticulous account of the situation, which introduces Hyde's animalistic personality. Walking down a street, Utterson and Enfield chance upon a house that reminds Enfield of a story...
He was walking home late one night when he saw two figures, those of Hyde and a small girl. The two collided, as was inevitable, and Hyde "trampled calmly over the child's body and left her screaming on the ground". This revelation shocks Utterson, as it would the readers, as this seems a purely evil thing to do. Attention is therefore restored as the readers are hooked on such a devilish character. Enfield's physical description of Hyde only supports this view: "...wasn't like a man; it was like some damned Juggernaut...perfectly cool...one look, so ugly...black, sneering coolness...like Satan" are words used to describe him. This description could be that of an animal (which is perhaps why Enfield says of Hyde that he "can't describe him" although he "can see him at this moment") and Hyde's detached position in the revealing situation highlights this. He appears unruffled, unaffected by the horrific crime he has just committed; his reaction is the opposite of the other people gathered on the scene.
Other people view him in much the same light as Enfield; the doctor who appears to help the injured girl looks at Hyde and turns "sick and white with the desire to kill him". As this is "out of the question" Enfield and the doctor pressure Hyde into paying for the damage he has caused the girl's family, and they return with Hyde to his house to collect a cheque. This is where the situation links to Utterson, as the house Enfield presumes is Hyde's, is the house that first reminded him of the story. The door of the house has "neither bell nor knocker...blistered and distained" and for some as yet-unknown reason Utterson too is familiar with the door.
The door, and the house, is in contrast with the rest of the street, which is "small and what is called quiet" yet the shop fronts are inviting, with "freshly painted shutters, well-polished brasses, and general cleanliness" adorning the resident's houses. This leads to a "gaiety of note" which "pleased the eye of the passenger" - this description paints an image of friendliness and warmth within the community, and 'Hyde's' house doesn't collaborate with this image at all. This is again another example of duality within Stevenson's novel, this time with the physical setting, an idea that could well have stemmed from the two contrasting towns of his childhood Edinburgh. Although 'Hyde's' house and the street are on a much smaller scale, the same theme runs through - an evil place of dwelling within a perfectly ordinary society. The atmosphere created in the first chapter because of this is one of mystery and secrecy; why such a house exists in such a street is another question for the reader's minds. Further curiosity is created because of this and the reader wants to continue to find the answer.
The success of Stevenson's novel depends upon the first chapter; however it is my opinion that he was victorious in this. The puzzling setting, the fascinating theme and the intriguing characters unite to create many questions in the reader's minds, and so the initial chapter of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' achieves it's main aim - to maintain interest from the readers, both of the time it was written, and throughout the ages following. Personally I believe Stevenson has completed this task well; the end of the chapter in particular is vital because although Utterson and Enfield have vowed "never to refer" to Hyde again, the readers want nothing more than them to continue discussing him; and although Dr Jekyll hasn't even been mentioned by name in the first chapter, Utterson clearly knows something - he says "if I do not ask you the name of the other party, it is because I know it already...your tale has gone home", and this sparks yet more interest from the readers who are envious as to the information that Utterson holds: why does he seem to know more than Enfield about Jekyll and Hyde when he wasn't directly involved, and why does the door ignite interest from this most interesting of characters - what does he know? The readers feel forced to read the following chapter to see whether their curiosity is resolved. Because Stevenson's novel has successfully captured attention by the end of the opening chapter, it is almost certain that readers will continue with 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.
For these reasons, 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' made Stevenson famous, and from my reading of the first chapter, I have no doubt that he deserved this fame, for an arresting gothic horror novel which enticed his readers to finish the book, and solve the mystery of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.
From Your Reading of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, Explain how the First Chapter Establishes Setting, Character and Themes to Capture Reader Interest