gotta run and Hyde

The first excerpt is given from the perspective of Mr. Enfield and in it the audience is introduced to the evil and mysterious voice of Mr. Hyde. His hideous acts of murder and being “something downright detestable” in his appearance help define the character. It is important to note that Enfield had not given a clear description of Mr. Hyde because, as he told Mr. Utterson, it was difficult to put into words. He can declare that this man “must be deformed”, but his vague descriptions (side note: all start with D! – a possible purposeful alliteration) don’t provide a good explanation as to why Hyde’s appearance is “downright detestable”. This tone and description build on the novella’s overall theme of mystery and suspense. The audience and other characters are only able to make assumptions as to the extent of Hyde’s peculiarity and wickedness. Stevenson demonstrates this pattern throughout the novella with several other characters including Mr. Utterson. He also had an encounter with Hyde’s villainous personality, and while agreeing that there was something strange about him, he also had a difficult time accurately describing it. The inability of Utterson and Enfield to produce the words necessary to effectively characterize Hyde is a key difference between him and his alter ego known as Dr. Jekyll.

The second excerpt chosen focuses on Dr. Henry Jekyll who has a much different appearance than Mr. Hyde. The audience is given a clearer understanding of this character’s appearance and his good deeds as a well-respected scientist. He was regarded as “large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness”. Stevenson contrasts Jekyll's moral voice to Hyde's evil one to emphasize the striking dissimilarity between the two characters. It is an important scene to analyze when Mr. Utterson mentions Hyde to Jekyll, and “there came a blackness about his eyes”. Jekyll responds in an uncharacteristic manner because he does not want to discuss the matter. A sense of skepticism now arises about the connection between the two. The term “blackness” implies the dark and unpleasant view that Jekyll has of Hyde and the distinction between their two voices. The contrasting appearances of Jekyll and Hyde noted by other characters in the story are also used to explore the recurring theme of the duality of nature found throughout the novella.

I found the concept of duality of nature very interesting in the story. It is a key part of understanding the dynamic between the voices that are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This poem helps simply but further explore their differing thoughts through speech but strange (get it) connection that also highlights a few similarities. Enjoy!

Why is this me?