Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 3

Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 3

1. Jekyll is a popular, respectable man

   • 2 weeks later, Jekyll invites Utterson and some other "intelligent, reputable" upper-class men to one of his dinner parties
     • Reflects the social circle that Jekyll moves in
   • First time the reader meets Jekyll
     • Dinner parties show that he's a sociable man who fits in with respectable Victorian upper-class society
   • Jekyll is described as a kind man
     • However, he also has a "slyish cast" - hints that he's hiding something or has a darker side to his personality

2. Utterson tries to talk to Jekyll about his will

   • Utterson questions Jekyll about the will
     • He treats the mystery as a case that can be solved rationally
   • Jekyll tries to hide the fact that he doesn't want to discuss it and changes the subject to talk about Lanyon
     • Makes the reader curious about why he can't even tell his close friend and lawyer what's going on
   • Jekyll sees Lanyon as "ignorant" - he dismisses his work
     • Suggests that Jekyll is so determined to pursue his "fanciful" experiments - he'll risk losing friends over it
     • Lanyon thinks that Jekyll is spending time on "scientific heresies" (goes against God)
       • The 1800s were a time of scientific progress - but some raised questions about the dangers of scientific discoveries

3. Jekyll clearly has something to hide

   • Jekyll does all he can to avoid explaining the will
     • Says that he's in a strange situation that "cannot be mended by talking" - builds suspense
     • Also tells Utterson that he has "a very great interest" in Hyde - he won't explain why
     • Jekyll claims that "the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde"
       • Later find out that this isn't true
     • Victorians hid what they saw as their immoral desires to maintain respectability
       • Jekyll hides the truth about Hyde from Utterson - he's the immoral side of character
   • Utterson tries to get Jekyll out of trouble
     • He's more interested in preserving Jekyll's reputation than in morality of what Jekyll might have done
       • Like a true Victorian gentleman, he'd rather not know the details of Jekyll's sins - he doesn't press him for answers about Hyde