Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 6 and 7

Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 6 and 7

1. Jekyll seems to be back to normal - but not for long

   • Time passes and it's as though Hyde "never existed"
     • Ironic because Hyde does exist - only within Jekyll, who is currently the model of Victorian respectability
   • A "new life" begins for Jekyll
     • Holds dinner parties with Utterson and Lanyon, where he acts like he did in the old days
     • Does good deeds and is "at peace"
   • However, after two months Jekyll suddenly retreats from society once again without explanation
     • Jekyll's odd behaviour adds to the atmosphere of mystery

2. Sudden change in Lanyon is shocking

   • Utterson visits Lanyon to see if he knows more and is "shocked" by the change he finds in him
     • Lanyon appears older and balder - most importantly he seems to have a "deep-seated terror of the mind"
       • This extreme change shows how profoundly affected he is by what he's seen
       • Reader doesn't find out what's happened which causes suspense to build
     • Lanyon believes he'll die soon and says that "if we knew all, we should be more glad to get away"
       • Lanyon's use of language shows how much he's changed
         • First time we meet Lanyon he's an articulate man of science, but now his speech is vague and cryptic

3. Utterson's honour prevents him from discovering the truth

   • Utterson writes to Jekyll asking why Lanyon feels so negatively about him
     • Jekyll's reply is "darkly mysterious" telling Utterson "You must suffer me to go my own dark way"
       • Hints that Jekyll is involved in a dangerous situation
     • Dual Nature of Man
       • Jekyll writes in his reply to Utterson that "I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also"
         • Hints at the internal conflict between Jekyll and Hyde and suggests that the more Hyde sins, the more Jekyll suffers
   • A fortnight later Lanyon dies and leaves Utterson an envelope
     • If he reads it he'll find out the truth, but another envelope inside says it can't be opened till death or dissapearance of Jekyll
   • Utterson is tempted to open the letter but he's a man of "professional honour"
     • He locks it in the safe
       • Shows that Utterson values moral principles above personal curiousity
         • Symbolism
           • Locked safe could symbolise Utterson's unwillingness to confront the mystery - he'd rather lock it away

4. Incident at the Window

   • Jekyll talks to Utterson and Enfield from the window of his lab
     • As they talk, a look of "abject terror and despair" comes across Jekyll's face - it's a sign that he's about to transform into Hyde
   • The look on Jekyll's face "froze the very blood" of Utterson and Enfield
     • They don't know the truth about Jekyll and Hyde at this point - their reaction shows that they feel they've witnessed something strange and inexplicable
       • Hints at the dark or possibly supernatural forces that are acting on Jekyll
         • Supernatural or unexplained events are an important feature of the Gothic novel