Characterisation and Key Scenes

Utterson is a very stern character but is also very secretive which is partly because of his profession. He is a bachelor and lives in seclusion, but keeps in contact with his kinsman, Enfield; with whom he walks every Sunday. He is also known as the angel of truth and is known as one of Gods messengers which ties in with him being the narrator of the novella His name comes from Gabriel the arch-angel who is one of Gods right hand angels and is also known as being one to help pass judgement; this ties in with him being a lawyer. Characterisation: Gabriel John Utterson

Straight from the beginning we are fed a long list of ideas about Utterson all of which is quite offputting and then there is an immidiate contrast that he is somehow yet lovelable. which makes us question about his true nature. "... was a man of rugged countenance, that was never lighted by smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discource; backward in sentiment; lean, long dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovelable." (P1) As a person of higher class Utterson is very highly regarded by most and is very trusted.

He is constantly surrounded by contrasts; the fact that he has many friends but is ofthen referred to as being "dull" shows us that stevenson wants the reader to keep pondering about utterson. He likes to make sure that things are running smoothly and as they should, he is a perfectionist and does not enjoy in gossiping about others, because of this we can imagine him as a perfectly sensible victorian man. The novella is told through Uttersons eyes so we read everything rationally rather than thinking that anything mysterious is happening. Stevenson has done this to keep the reader in suspense as we are led to believe everything that Utterson says is true which is why we are supriesed when something mysterious or unearthly happens Being a man who thinks very logically it is hard for him to believe in supernatural beings and as such finds it harder to believe Jekylls Secret.

Characterisation: Dr. Henry Jekyll With Dr. Jekyll's attitude towards science and experiments, he decides to take a risk, making a huge discovery. With his relationship with Mr Hyde, it seems to be Hyde is only Hyde, but Jekyll is both. He calls Hyde "the evil side of my nature" (Page 73) therefore being addicted or attracted by the power of Hyde, or the power that being Hyde gives him.

He is a very likeable character, who is determined to rock the boat; he wishes to further the field of science in an astounding way that will leave the world awestruck. He wants to unburden mankind by destroying the oppressing shackles that binds the malicious side of humanity to our souls; the evils that gives in to temptation, lust, greed and hatred. He wants to liberate the people. He wants to save the world. Throughout the novella the good doctor is constantly portrayed as a well respected, revered man around the town, he has be described as being jolly and often hosts grand parties for all his friends.

We learn that as a young man Jekyll was “fond of the respect of the wise and good.” (P69) He continues to explain that it was his demeanour; the way he acted that brought so much joy to people. But he decides that this is one of his shortcomings and with that thought he locked away his emotions to the world and became a completely different man, showing only stern emotion to all but those close to him “I concealed my pleasures.” (P69) We could argue; that by locking away his emotions, this was the first step Henry Jekyll took towards becoming Edward Hyde, by locking up his emotions and letting them manifest, radiating with energy, ready to explode. He is Vesuvius on doomsday, everyone unawares to the danger and turmoil that is bound within.

Characterisation: Edward Hyde Hyde is by nature an evil and self centered being. He is malicious and vindictive, with no thought, care or regard for his fellow men. He is the darker side of Henry Jekyll and enjoys to partake in devilish schemes beind his better selfs back. it is suggested in Jekylls final statement at the end of the novella that he may be partaking in prostitution and drugs.

He is often decribed as having animalistic qualituies. This is also another reference to his last name Hyde which is a play on words of an animal skin. he is also referred to as having "ape-like" qualities. "...and next moment, with ape-like fury, he was trampling his victim under foot and hailing down a storm of blows" Storm imagey is also used here to describe how Hyde is as violent and unpredictable as a storm, but also how rapid his actions are.

We learn that Jekyll and Hyde have differences between them and this can be realised, when Jekyll who is a respectable well known man uses the front door of his home, but the black hearted, malicious, sneaky Hyde slips in through the backdoor, unseen, unheard. When jekyll walks through the front door, it is as if he transforms into Hyde and then Hyde walks through the back door, by doing this and vice versa, each man is able to move through the home without raising suspision.

“if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is that of your new friend.” “with ape-like fury” “a damned juggernaut” “pale and dwarfish” We are exposed to the idea that a man described as being “a damned juggernaut” would be large, imposing and utterly terrifying, but Hyde himself is “dwarfish” which is both contrasting his features and creating duality within him.

"The Carew Murder Case" (Chapter 4) has a setting which has a romantic-like feel. With the full moon out, and Sir Danvers walking alongside the river Thames, this then creates an effective setting. With the full moon and clear night, it could be associated with a romantic story, only to be contrasted with the horrific crime that takes place, invloving Mr Edward Hyde and Sir Danvers. Key Scenes: The Murder of Sir Danvers Carew The full moon could also link in with werewolves, Mr Hyde's true evil side being brought out and wakening the beast within him, this also links in with animalistic qualituies.

This chapter also shows the reader that Hyde's capactity for evil is increasing. Mr Hyde gradually builds up his violence, from trampling to murder. With Mr Hyde getting more addicted to violence, Dr Jekyll cannot control himself. With Jekyll transforming from one body to another Mr Hyde tries to conrtol Dr Jekyll. The resolution of the novella was really effective, creating an atmospheric mood after finding out Dr Jekyll commited suicide, due to Mr Hyde, he could not be removed from Jekyll's body. After hearing that the only way of getting rid of the evil was by commitng suicide was shocking, Jekyll had to give up his own life for Mr Hyde, therefore showing that death was more powerful than evil.