Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 5

Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 5

1. Jekyll acts strangely after Carew's murder

   • When Utterson visits Jekyll, he finds him behaving oddly
     • Jekyll is in his lab when Utterson goes to see him - unusual because Utterson hasn't visited his friend there beofre
       • This is in the "dingy" building we associate with Hyde, and Utterson feels a "sense of strangeness"
         • This creates tension and unease
     • Jekyll looks "sick" and speaks in a "feverish manner"
       • Shows how agitated he is about the murder
       • He's determined to be rid of Hyde, swearing to God that he'll never see him again
     • But he's still holding back information
       • He says he has "grounds for certainty" that Hyde will not return
         • But he "cannot share with anyone" what these are - increases the mystery

2. Stevenson includes letters in his narrative

   • Jekyll claims that he's received a letter from Hyde, which he gives to Utterson because he's worried it will affect his reputation
     • Utterson is relieved - he was concerned that Jekyll's name would be dragged into a scandal
   • Initially Utterson is convinced by the letter's authenticity, but when Poole says that nothing was delivered, he starts to doubt it
     • Shows that even when written documents can't be trusted
     • Stevenson gives the reader reasons to doubt what we're told - creates atmosphere of intrigue
   • Reader learns a lot through letters and documents - makes the gradual unravelling events of the story more realistic
   • Secrecy
     • Utterson usually keeps problems to himself
       • Even when he asks for Guest's help, he does it indirectly
       • It's all part of the Victorian code of restraint and concealing emotions

3. Utterson leaps to the wrong conclusion

   • Utterson takes the letter home and shows it to Guest
     • It's Guest who realises that Hyde's writing looks very similar to Jekyll's
   • Utterson "struggled" with himself before asking Guest for more information
     • Makes it seem as if Utterson is reluctant to uncover what might be an unpleasant truth
   • Utterson warns Guest not to speak about the letter
     • Adds another layer of secrecy to the case
     • Utterson come to the conclusion that Jekyll has forged the note for Hyde