Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 6 and 7

Jekyll seems to be back to normal - but not for long
1. Time passes and it's as though Hyde "never existed"
  1. Ironic because Hyde does exist - only within Jekyll, who is currently the model of Victorian respectability
2. A "new life" begins for Jekyll
  1. Holds dinner parties with Utterson and Lanyon, where he acts like he did in the old days
  2. Does good deeds and is "at peace"
3. However, after two months Jekyll suddenly retreats from society once again without explanation
  1. Jekyll's odd behaviour adds to the atmosphere of mystery
Sudden change in Lanyon is shocking
1. Utterson visits Lanyon to see if he knows more and is "shocked" by the change he finds in him
  1. Lanyon appears older and balder - most importantly he seems to have a "deep-seated terror of the mind"
    1. This extreme change shows how profoundly affected he is by what he's seen
    2. Reader doesn't find out what's happened which causes suspense to build
  2. Lanyon believes he'll die soon and says that "if we knew all, we should be more glad to get away"
    1. Lanyon's use of language shows how much he's changed
      1. First time we meet Lanyon he's an articulate man of science, but now his speech is vague and cryptic
Utterson's honour prevents him from discovering the truth
1. Utterson writes to Jekyll asking why Lanyon feels so negatively about him
  1. Jekyll's reply is "darkly mysterious" telling Utterson "You must suffer me to go my own dark way"
    1. Hints that Jekyll is involved in a dangerous situation
  2. Dual Nature of Man
    1. Jekyll writes in his reply to Utterson that "I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also"
      1. Hints at the internal conflict between Jekyll and Hyde and suggests that the more Hyde sins, the more Jekyll suffers
2. A fortnight later Lanyon dies and leaves Utterson an envelope
  1. 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
3. Utterson is tempted to open the letter but he's a man of "professional honour"
  1. He locks it in the safe
    1. Shows that Utterson values moral principles above personal curiousity
      1. Symbolism
        Locked safe could symbolise Utterson's unwillingness to confront the mystery - he'd rather lock it away
Incident at the Window
1. Jekyll talks to Utterson and Enfield from the window of his lab
  1. 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
2. The look on Jekyll's face "froze the very blood" of Utterson and Enfield
  1. 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
    1. Hints at the dark or possibly supernatural forces that are acting on Jekyll
      1. Supernatural or unexplained events are an important feature of the Gothic novel

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Jekyll and Hyde Chapter 6 and 7

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	Created by Niamh Webster over 6 years ago