Dr Lanyon Character Analysis + quotes

Why is Dr Hastie Lanyon important?

• Rational:

  • Rejects “unscientific balderdash” → values logic

  • Shock of transformation → leads to death

• Respected:

  • Lives in “citadel of medicine” → high status

  • “Genial” and “genuine” → well-liked, successful

• Traditionalist:

  • Calls Jekyll’s work “too fanciful”

  • Cuts ties after truth → “quite done with that person”

Dr Hastie Lanyon’s use of language

• Authoritative and rational:

  • Presented as knowledgeable and well-read → reference to “Damon and Pythias”

  • Symbolises ideal friendship → highlights betrayal by Jekyll

  • Confident, logical tone reinforces his authority as a respected scientist

• Emotional and fragmented:

  • Physical reaction “suddenly purple” → loss of composure, contrasts earlier calm image

  • After witnessing transformation → language becomes emotive, shocked, and fragmented

  • Reflects breakdown of his rational beliefs and inability to process what he has seen

“Unscientific balderdash.”

Chapter 2

• Dismissive noun “balderdash” → trivialises Jekyll’s experiments; shows intellectual superiority.

• Adjective “unscientific” → reinforces Lanyon’s strict belief in logic and traditional science.

• Short, blunt phrase → authoritative tone; no room for debate.

• Tone → confident and scornful, highlighting conflict between the two men.

🧠 AO3 Context

Reflects Victorian faith in rational science, rejecting anything supernatural or experimental.

“My life is shaken to its roots.”

Chapter 6

• Metaphor “shaken to its roots” → suggests total destruction of his beliefs and identity.

• Possessive “my life” → personal impact; not just intellectual but existential collapse.

• Violent verb “shaken” → conveys trauma and instability.

• Structure → simple but powerful; reflects emotional intensity and loss of control.

🧠 AO3 Context

Shows how supernatural events challenge Victorian rationalism, causing fear and psychological collapse.

“I am quite done with that person.”

Chapter 6

• Definitive phrase “quite done” → finality; complete rejection of Jekyll.

• Dehumanising noun “that person” → distances himself emotionally; refusal to even name Jekyll.

• Short, formal sentence → controlled but cold; reflects suppressed emotion.

• Tone → firm and resolute, masking deeper shock and betrayal.

🧠 AO3 Context

Highlights Victorian importance of reputation and moral boundaries, especially in professional relationships.

grade 9 thesis on lanyon

Lanyon represents pure rationality, and his collapse shows Stevenson’s warning that science alone cannot explain human nature, especially when confronted with the supernatural.