Overview of Jekyll and Hyde

Overview

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is an 1886 Gothic horror novella by Robert Louis Stevenson. The story delves into the duality of human nature, focusing on the relationship between Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected scientist, and Edward Hyde, a violent criminal. The narrative is told primarily through the perspective of Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer, who becomes increasingly concerned as he investigates the mysterious and troubling connection between his friend Dr. Jekyll and the sinister Mr. Hyde. The novella explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation.

Publication Details

• Title: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
• First published: January 5, 1886
• Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons
• Language: English
• Page count: 138
• Original source: Harvard University
• Digitized: March 8, 2006

Book Structure, Section Summaries, and Key Moments

1. Story Introduction and Utterson’s Curiosity

• The novella begins by introducing Gabriel John Utterson, a reserved, serious, and loyal lawyer in London. Utterson is known for his sense of duty and his concern for his friends.
• Utterson hears unsettling stories about Edward Hyde, a mysterious and violent man who is somehow connected to Dr. Jekyll, his old friend.
• Utterson is particularly disturbed when he learns that Dr. Jekyll’s will leaves all his possessions to Hyde in the event of Jekyll’s disappearance or death. This unusual arrangement raises Utterson’s suspicions and prompts him to look more closely into the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde.

2. The Incident at the Door

• Utterson and his distant relative, Mr. Enfield, discuss a strange event they both witnessed: Hyde tramples a young girl in the street, showing no remorse. To avoid a scandal, Hyde pays off the girl’s family with a cheque signed by Dr. Jekyll.
• This incident deepens the mystery for Utterson, as it becomes clear that Jekyll is not only associated with Hyde but is also willing to cover for his actions.
• Utterson’s concern grows as he tries to protect his friend Jekyll from what he believes is blackmail or manipulation by Hyde.

3. The Murder of Sir Danvers Carew

• The story escalates when Hyde is implicated in the brutal murder of Sir Danvers Carew, a respected member of society. The crime shocks London and brings intense scrutiny to Hyde.
• Utterson assists the police in their investigation, leading them to Hyde’s residence. However, Hyde has disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only evidence of his violent nature.
• The murder intensifies Utterson’s determination to uncover the truth about Hyde and his connection to Jekyll.

4. Jekyll’s Withdrawal and Utterson’s Investigation

• Following the murder, Dr. Jekyll becomes increasingly withdrawn, refusing to see friends and isolating himself in his laboratory. His behavior becomes erratic and secretive, causing concern among his household staff and Utterson.
• Utterson’s suspicions deepen as he observes strange occurrences around Jekyll’s home, including the delivery of mysterious chemicals and the presence of a locked laboratory door.
• Poole, Jekyll’s loyal butler, confides in Utterson about his fears for Jekyll’s safety, noting that the voice coming from the laboratory no longer sounds like Jekyll’s.

5. The Breaking Point: The Laboratory Door

• Poole, convinced that something terrible has happened to Jekyll, seeks Utterson’s help. Together, they decide to break into the laboratory to confront the truth.
• Inside, they discover the body of Edward Hyde, who appears to have died by suicide. Jekyll is nowhere to be found.
• Among Hyde’s belongings, they find a letter addressed to Utterson, in which Jekyll promises to explain the events that have transpired.

6. The Truth Revealed: Jekyll’s Confession

• The final chapters are composed of letters and confessions from Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon, another of Jekyll’s friends and a fellow scientist.
• Dr. Lanyon describes witnessing Hyde transform into Jekyll, an event that shocks him so deeply it leads to his own decline and death.
• In his confession, Jekyll reveals that he created a potion to separate his good and evil sides, allowing him to transform into the uninhibited and malevolent Hyde. At first, Jekyll enjoys the freedom Hyde provides, but over time, he loses control over the transformations.
• Jekyll’s struggle to contain Hyde becomes desperate, and he ultimately realizes that he can no longer prevent Hyde from taking over. The story ends in tragedy, with Jekyll’s identity consumed by his darker self.

Story Themes

• Duality of Human Nature: The novella explores the idea that every person has both good and evil within them, and that suppressing one side can have dangerous consequences.
• Conflict Between Good and Evil: Jekyll’s internal battle with Hyde represents the struggle between moral restraint and base desires.
• Psychological Complexity: The story examines the complexities of identity, self-control, and the human psyche.
• Victorian Social Expectations: The narrative reflects the pressures of maintaining respectability and the fear of scandal in Victorian society.
• Limits of Scientific Exploration: Jekyll’s experiments raise questions about the ethical boundaries of science and the unforeseen consequences of tampering with human nature.

Notable Characters

• Dr. Henry Jekyll: A respected doctor and scientist who seeks to separate his good and evil sides through experimentation, ultimately creating his alter ego, Hyde.
• Mr. Edward Hyde: The violent and malevolent alter ego of Dr. Jekyll, representing his repressed desires and darker instincts.
• Gabriel John Utterson: A loyal and principled lawyer who investigates the connection between Jekyll and Hyde, serving as the story’s moral center.
• Poole: Jekyll’s devoted butler, who becomes increasingly alarmed by his master’s behavior and assists Utterson in uncovering the truth.
• Sir Danvers Carew: A well-respected gentleman whose murder by Hyde brings the story’s conflict to a head and intensifies the investigation.

Genres and Categories

• Horror fiction
• Gothic novella
• Psychological fiction
• Science fiction
• Fantasy fiction
• Sensation novel

Availability and Editions

• The novella is available to read for free through platforms such as Google Books and the Internet Archive.
• Multiple editions exist, including PDF, audiobook, eBook, and print formats.
• Libraries may offer borrowing options, and there are several adaptations and companion editions available for readers.

Related Works and Author Information

• Robert Louis Stevenson is also known for writing "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped."
• Similar books: "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, "Dracula" by Bram Stoker, and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde are often compared to "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" for their exploration of psychological and moral themes.

Subjects and Critical Reception

• The novella is frequently studied for its treatment of topics such as multiple personality, self-experimentation, the role of physicians in fiction, and the psychological struggle between good and evil.
• "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" has been nominated for literary awards and adapted into various media, reflecting its lasting impact and significance in literature.