Minor Characters

Who is Poole?

Jekylls butler

What does Poole represent?

The class system as well as repression and loyalty

How does Poole treat Jekyll’s secrets?

Keeps them

At the end of the novella Poole waits a week to go and see Utterson when he is concerned about Jekyll. Why?

His repressed state and concern for Jekylls good reputation

How does Poole feel about Hyde?

He is scared and disgusted by him
In Chp 8 he changes the pronouns he uses for Hyde from ‘he/him’ to ‘it'/that’

What do Pooles descriptions of Hyde reduce him to?

Something not human. His descriptions of Hyde would play to the Victorian readers fears of rising crime, urban terror and the ‘beast in man’

Who is Inspector Newcomen?

The police inspector sent to investigate the murder of Carew

When Newcomen discovers the victim is upper class, how does he react?

His ‘eye lighted up with professional ambition’ - a selfish reaction, if he solves the case he will be assured a promotion - mirrors the selfish nature we see in major characters

Utterson chooses not to tell Newcomen that he recognises the murder weapon. Why?

Utterson is protecting Jekyll, a friend
Shows the distrust in the police - set up in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel, they were nicknamed ‘Peelers’

What does Hydes housekeeper look after?

Hydes apartment in Soho - nothing to do with Jekylls staff at his house

Hydes housekeeper has a face that is ‘smoothed by hiposcrisy? What does this show?

Appearance vs reality. We have one face that we show the public by may behave completely different behind closed doors

How else is the Housekeepers hipocritical nature presented?

She finds pleasure in Hyde’s misfortunes - like major characters, she is flawed. Also reinforces how hated Hyde is

Who is the Sawbones?

The doctor called to help the young girl in Enfields story

How is the Sawbones presented?

Respectable, educated and sensible. We are told he is ‘about as emotional as a bagpipe’

How is the Sawbones affected by Hyde?

He is visibly affected by Hyde. This is significant, everyone has a reaction when they see Hyde

Are there any major female characters? Why?

No
The fact that there are no major female characters and all the male characters are single could mean that Stevenson is exploring homosexuality
Also reflects the patriachal nature of Victorian society

How are women presented in the novella?

As hysterical and overly emotional~
The family of the girl are ‘as wild as harpies’ - harpies were monsters with a female head and body but came to mean unpleasant, but Enfield and the Sawbones are shown to be able to control their emotions
The maid who witnesses Carews murder faints

Their is only one woman who is presented differently. Who is she and why?

Hydes housekeeper
She doesnt have a positive representation either. She is hipocritical and enjoys others misery
The difference is the location, she is in Soho which is associated with poverty and prostitution