Jekyll and Hyde

Image Citation

Excerpt Character Analysis 

Mr. Hyde
"He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify a point. He's an extraordinary looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way" (Stevenson 5).

Through this description of Mr. Hyde, his physical appearance reflects the personality he is associated with throughout the story. Not only is he of a lower class, and therefore ugly and dis-likable, but he is different from the average person-- deformed. He rubs off negatively on those who encounter him because his behaviors are cruel and stun those who observe them. The fact that he is hard to describe and place concrete details brings in the gothic theme. This causes the readers to fear someone that is less human and represents more of a monster of sorts that they wouldn't be able to recognize. It also brings in the element of the uncanny. The general reaction to Mr. Hyde represents how many upper class members would feel on those of the lower class and the changes within society.

Dr. Jekyll
"To this rule, Dr. Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire-- a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a stylish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness-- you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection. "I have been wanting to speak to you, Jekyll," began the latter. "You know that will of yours?" A close observer might have gathered that the topic was distasteful; but the doctor carried it off gaily. "My poor Utterson," he said, "you are unfortunate in such a client. I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will; unless it were the hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. O, I know he's a good fellow-- you needn't frown-- an excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more of him, but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant. I was never more disappointed more in any man than Lanyon." "You know I never approved of it," pursued Utterson, ruthless disregarding the fresh topic. "My will? Yes, certainly, I know that," said the doctor, a trifle sharply. "You have told me so." "Well I tell you so again," continued the lawyer. "I have been learning something of young Hyde." The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips and there came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more," said he. "This is a matter I thought we agreed to drop" (Stevenson 12-13).

Through this excerpt, it is modeled that physically Dr. Jekyll is well put-together, handsome, and of a high standard/class. He holds high respect and reputation within society. This description completely contrasts that of Mr. Hyde and shows the two opposite sides one man can have. The use of the dialogue conversation here and through the friendship of Utterson and Jekyll, help develop the inner personalities of the characters that aren't seen through their external masks. For instance, Jekyll is outwardly smart and respectable but inwardly struggles with what he is hiding when it comes to his relationship with Hyde. The dialogue conveys emotions lost within just detailed description and allows the audience to connect more to the characters and their behaviors. Also, through Utterson being involved in both excerpts, it shows a typical outsiders pov if in the upper class on people of their own kind vs. those in lower classes. 

Poem 

Voices: Jekyll (Lindsey) and Hyde (Abby)

Our poem’s purpose and intended effect is to portray the immediate contrast between these two characters but highlight where they relate through their shared lines. This in turn shows the duality between man by having these two characters reflect and develop one another. This poem focuses within the decision for Jekyll to leave everything to Hyde in his will before the murder of Danver. It begins to foreshadow the murder and the other events to come as both begin to unravel.

Jekyll Hyde 
It has been decided,                                                 It has been decided,

I'm leaving him everything.           I’m taking everything.

I trust him with--           He trusts me with--

All that I have and all that I am and          A fortune that takes a man out of the
all I could ever hope to be.          shadows, something that could
                             make me all I could ever hope to be.

They say I’m mad, not right in the head, They say I’m evil, a master manipulator,

It fills me with anger to the very brim                 It fills me with anger to the very brim,
How the people I hold close, beat me down. How the upper class beats me thin.

Soon they will see my side too, Soon I will be one of them too,
Look out, Look out,
I’m waiting for you. I’m coming for you.