Chapter 8 Quotes: the Last night

“He had not once looked the lawyer in the face.”

The silence and repression of Jekyll’s society has extended to all members of his circle and now even Poole is unable to speak about his fears. It is having a sweeping effect on other people. The pressure of this repression takes its toll on the characters. Poole seems to have internalized the secrets of his master and looks visibly worn out and even ill.

“Foul play!”

he is in denial and is feeling discomforted as he is worried he will be responsible which binds with the idea of having a good status. Poole is a prime example here of a character repressing his suspicions for fear of the consequences. The phrase “foul play” is a euphemism, covering up all kinds of possibilities with its mild, sporting connotations and the inability of facing the truth.

“Crushing anticipation of calamity”

this links to trampling and creates a sense of anticipation of utter disaster and increases the sense of inevitable disaster and tragedy.

“He begged Mr Utterson to follow him, and led the way to the back garden”

Poole gives instructions to Utterson but he still doesn’t explain what kind of change he has found in his master. He leads Utterson and builds his suspense just like we are being led blindly through the story. Stevenson often uses his characters in this way, to guide the revelation of truths for their fellow characters.

“This is rather a wild tale”

Links to savage which is continuously a recurring theme.

“This drug is wanted bitter bad”

Though the activities of Hyde have been unnaturally grotesque, the presence of medicines, instruments of science and chemicals around the story has given a background of reason and legitimacy, it conveys absolute desperation for the drug. Now that these chemicals are being found “impure”, the supernatural side begins to reign.

“Sudden splutter of the pen”

the desperation of Hyde trying to emerge has drastically increased and has reached its apex that Jekyll can not write a letter without the wild side ascending.

“Digging among the crates”

his desperation for the drug is reinforced with the animalistic imagery which illustrates for the reader that he is scavenging for the drug which emphasises his absolute pure desire for the drug.

“Why he had a mask upon his face”

Jekyll has physically changed to the point he is beyond recognisable, and the word “mask” reinforces the theme of concealment and also symbolises duality.

“maladies that both torture and deform the sufferer”

Utterson seeks for a logical and medical explanation of Jekyll’s actions. He is inevitably trying to avoid the thought of suicide. Jekyll’s status makes Utterson think he would never conclude to such a calamitous decision.

“Clothes of the doctor’s bigness”

Jekyll has physically shrinked and can be linked to Macbeth “giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief”. The changes to Jekyll’s appearance is further reinforced. “Remains for us to find the body of your master”, this emphasises how contorted he looks that he his beyond recognisable.

“The kettle with a startling noise boiled over”

The setup of each scene is designed very carefully by Stevenson for maximum symbolic effect. Here, the traditional innocence of a tea set and a fireplace adds to the violent contrast already in play between objects of religion and science that populate Jekyll’s room. Juxtaposition between between refined and the unsophisticated and the wild contortions.

“Startling blasphemies”

Juxtaposition between the side that respect the religious side and the side that rebels against it. Another interpretation could be the juxtaposition of Jekyll and Hyde were Jekyll expresses redeem and regard for the Bible but Hyde who is synonymous to the devil disrespect and repulse against it

“I must go home and read these documents in quiet”

The truth of the mystery lies behind layers of documents, seals and conditions that pass the responsibility from one man to another. Now Utterson holds these explanations in his hands, at liberty to find out their confession, but he hesitates. His fear is typical of the fear of the society Stevenson describes. The truth is a scary thing and Utterson instinctively shies away from it. this unread information has been lurking behind everything and now it is finally being revealed. In this moment of revelation, though, Utterson turns once again to secret