Jekyll and Hyde: Key Characters, Transformations, and Themes

Mr. Utterson

A wealthy, respected lawyer who is loyal to his friends.

Mr. Enfield

Utterson's relative and friend who tells him about Hyde.

Mr. Hyde

A small, evil-looking man who represents Jekyll's darker side.

Dr. Jekyll

A respected doctor who creates a potion that transforms him into Hyde.

Dr. Lanyon

A doctor who discovers Jekyll's secret and is horrified by it.

Mr. Poole

Jekyll's loyal butler who becomes suspicious of what is happening.

The Neglected Building

The laboratory entrance where Hyde gets the check and later lives.

The Trampled Girl

Hyde knocks down and tramples a young girl, causing a crowd to confront him.

The $100 Check

Hyde pays the family with a check signed by the respected Dr. Jekyll.

Jekyll's Will

Leaves Jekyll's property to Hyde if Jekyll dies or disappears.

Utterson's Suspicion

He believes Hyde is blackmailing or controlling Jekyll.

Lanyon and Jekyll's Conflict

Lanyon rejects Jekyll's research as unscientific.

Utterson Meets Hyde

Utterson is disgusted by Hyde but cannot explain exactly why.

Hyde's Address

He gives Utterson his address, showing he is connected to Jekyll's property.

Hyde's Key

Hyde has a key to Jekyll's laboratory and the servants must obey him.

Jekyll's Dinner Party

Jekyll promises Utterson that he can get rid of Hyde whenever he wants.

Sir Danvers Carew

A respected politician who Hyde brutally murders with a cane.

Carew's Murder

An elderly man is beaten to death by Hyde in the street.

Hyde's Disappearance

Hyde disappears after Carew's murder and cannot be found by police.

Jekyll's Letter from Hyde

A letter claims Hyde has escaped and tells Jekyll not to worry.

Hyde's Handwriting

Guest discovers Hyde's handwriting appears to be Jekyll's handwriting changed slightly.

Jekyll's Improvement

After Hyde disappears, Jekyll becomes healthier, happier, and more charitable.

Lanyon's Illness

Lanyon becomes sick and terrified after witnessing something involving Jekyll.

Lanyon's Letter

A letter that Utterson must open after Lanyon and Jekyll die.

The Window Incident

Jekyll appears at his window but suddenly becomes terrified and shuts it.

Poole's Suspicion

Poole believes something is wrong because the person in Jekyll's laboratory sounds different.

Breaking Into the Laboratory

Utterson and Poole break down the laboratory door after becoming suspicious.

Hyde's Death

Hyde is found dead with a crushed vial, apparently from poison.

Jekyll's Second Will

The new will leaves Jekyll's property to Utterson instead of Hyde.

Lanyon's Discovery

Lanyon watches Hyde drink the potion and transform into Jekyll.

The Potion

A chemical mixture that allows Jekyll to transform into Hyde.

The Transformation

Hyde drinks the potion and changes into Dr. Jekyll.

Jekyll's Dual Nature

Jekyll believes every person has both good and evil sides.

Jekyll's Goal

He wants to separate his good and evil sides through science.

Why Hyde Is Smaller

Hyde represents Jekyll's evil side, which had been repressed for years.

Jekyll Enjoys Being Hyde

He likes being Hyde because he can act on his darker desires without damaging Jekyll's reputation.

Hyde's Evil

As Hyde, Jekyll commits increasingly violent and immoral acts.

First Uncontrolled Transformation

Jekyll transforms into Hyde without taking the potion.

Carew's Murder's Effect

The murder convinces Jekyll to stop transforming into Hyde.

Jekyll's Return to Hyde

He becomes tired of being completely good and eventually transforms again.

Spontaneous Transformations

Jekyll begins changing into Hyde without using the potion.

The Potion's Problem

The original salt contains an unknown impurity needed for the potion to work.

Running Out of Salt

Jekyll realizes he is running out of the ingredient needed to transform back.

Hyde Becomes Stronger

Jekyll becomes weaker while Hyde becomes stronger and harder to control.

Jekyll's Final Letter

Jekyll admits the truth about Hyde and realizes he will eventually disappear.

Main Conflict

Jekyll struggles between his good side and his evil side.

Main Theme

The danger of repressing or giving in to the darker side of human nature.