Lecture Notes: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Introduction

• Exploration of duality in human nature: good vs. evil.
• Reference to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as central figures.
• Narrator: Mr. Gabriel Utterson, a lawyer and friend of Dr. Jekyll.

Key Characters

• Mr. Gabriel Utterson: Good lawyer, reliable friend, concerned about Dr. Jekyll.
• Mr. Richard Enfield: Distant relative of Utterson, shares a disturbing story.
• Mr. Edward Hyde: Mysterious villain, connected to Dr. Jekyll.
• Dr. Jekyll: A well-respected scientist with a troubling secret.
• Dr. Lanyon: Former friend of Jekyll, critical of his experiments.

The Disturbing Incident

• Enfield recounts witnessing Hyde stomp on a girl.
• Enfield confronts Hyde, who pays compensation with a strange check.
• Hyde's association with Jekyll raises concerns for Utterson.

Dr. Jekyll's Will

• Utterson retrieves Jekyll's will, which favors Hyde in case of disappearance.
• Questions arise about Jekyll's safety and his relationship with Hyde.

Utterson's Investigations

• Visits Dr. Lanyon, who has distanced himself from Jekyll.
• Utterson's attempt to meet Hyde ends with a rude dismissal.
• At a dinner party, Jekyll defends Hyde's presence in his life.

The Murder of Sir Danvers Carew

• Shocking murder of a respected politician, identified as Hyde's doing.
• Utterson assists police in the investigation; Hyde is missing.

Changes in Dr. Jekyll

• Jekyll appears pale and unhealthy; claims to have severed ties with Hyde.
• A letter from Hyde is nearly identical to Jekyll's handwriting, raising suspicion.
• Jekyll enjoys a brief resurgence of social life before retreating again.

Dr. Lanyon's Change

• Lanyon shows signs of distress, cutting ties with Jekyll.
• He later dies, leaving a sealed letter for Utterson, warning of Jekyll's secrets.

The Final Turns

• Utterson encounters Poole, Jekyll's butler, who fears for Jekyll's safety.
• They discover Hyde's body in Jekyll's clothes; Hyde has killed himself.
• No trace of Jekyll is found, leading to further mystery.

The Confession of Dr. Jekyll

• Jekyll's letter reveals his internal struggle and the creation of Hyde.
• He explains the use of a potion to separate his good and evil sides.
• Jekyll's transformation into Hyde becomes uncontrollable, leading to despair.

Conclusion

• Jekyll's duality represents the struggle within each individual.
• His final letter illustrates the consequences of those hidden truths.
• The narrative raises questions about the nature of humanity and self-confrontation.

Reflection

• The story encourages readers to ponder their own dual natures and the balance of good and evil within themselves.