In order to perform a textual analysis of chapter 5 "Incident of the Letter" within Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde several issues need to be considered.

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Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Essay

Deanne Daniew

Approaches to Text

Leon Cantrell

In order to perform a textual analysis of chapter 5 “Incident of the Letter” within Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde several issues need to be considered. Such as the concept of discourse within the narration of the chapter, the theoretical/ analytical tools of figurative language and genre. Also the meanings of the chapter need to be discussed such as the structure and language use, the broader cultural and representational issues and the chapters relationship with the rest of the novel. And lastly what broader and thematic roles it plays.

Concept of Discourse

“Discourses are ways of speaking associated with particular institutions and the conventions and values of those institutions.” (Schirato and Yell, 2003, pg 61). Within chapter 5 there is evidence of at least three different discourses. The Homosexual discourse, the medical discourse and the legal discourse. The chapter is made up of two very distinct discourses. The first half has evidence of the medical discourse and the second half has the legal discourse. Throughout there are also hidden indications of the homosexual discourse. The medical discourse is seen very early on for the chapter starts off with Utterson being led to Dr Jekyll’s medical lab by Poole where he conducted his experiments. On his way Utterson pays close attention to all he sees, noticing that the lab is set up for chemical experiments rather than anatomical. Once at his destination, Stevenson, through Utterson describes the layout of Jekyll’s lab and its contents. “Once crowded with eager students and now lying qaunt and silent; the tables laden with chemical apparatus, the floor, strew with crates and littered with packing straw…..It was large room, fitted round with glass presses….and a business table….the fire burned in the grate; a lamp was set lighted on the chimney shelf.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 26).

Also throughout the chapter there are examples of medical jargon, such as the room being “known as the laboratory or the dissecting room.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 26). Other examples include surgeon, doctor or MP, chemical apparatus, doctor’s cabinet and acid. These are all typically used within the medical industry and follow the language rules, which are to be used when discussing issues within the medical discourse. There is also evidence of the medical body of knowledge within Dr Jekyll for he is seen to have the right utensils for practicing medicine. There are also references made of the institutions associated within the practice of medicine, which are there to protect them, which in this case is Utterson for he is Jekyll’s lawyer. “Carew was my client, but so are you.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 26). This then can be seen to link in with the legal discourse.

The second half is where the lawyer in Utterson emerges as he questions Jekyll and Poole. Mr. Guest, however, is quizzed in the lawyer’s domain of Utterson’s House. The language used becomes formal and of legal jargon as the chapter sees words such as client, trial, detection, dictated, advice, decision, document, police, judge and murder. He struggles with the Jekyll/Hyde relationship and letter for as Jekyll’s lawyer he doesn’t know what to do about Hyde and the letter. “Carew was my client, but so are you, and I want to know what I am doing.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 26).  “I have a document here in his handwriting: it is between ourselves, for I scarce knew what to do about it.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 29). For as a lawyer there is this conflict of interest because the law, which he knows of, says he should tell the police about the letter but because Jekyll is his client he has to do everything he can to protect him.

Utterson’s legal body of knowledge is evident in that as he learns more he is continually trying to piece everything together. “If it came to a trial, your name might appear.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 27), “let me see the letter.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 27), “Have you the envelope?” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 27), “And now one word more: it was Hyde who dictated the terms in your will about that disappearance?” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 27-28), “there was a letter handed in today: what was the messenger like?” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 28) and  “I should like to hear your views on that.” (Stevenson, 2003, pg 29). This language used by Utterson is typical within the legal profession and follows the rules as mentioned before with the medical discourse.

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With the third discourse of homosexuality, this can be seen in a few parts in the chapter and even though they are only slight indications they are more like hidden meanings within the chapter. This is so because during the Victorian Society when Stevenson wrote the novel, homosexuality was very much a taboo subject so in order for him to write about it, he had to write it in sort of a code. These coded meanings are seen within the chapter when Stevenson refers to Hyde having power over Jekyll and him dictating the terms in his will. This ...

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