Mr. Hyde

WHO IS HE?

Edward Hyde is the violent alter-ego of Dr. Jekyll. Jekyll created him through scientific experimentation to embody all of his ‘evil traits’. As the novel progresses, Hyde begins to gain more power of Jekyll and eventually becomes his downfall. Jekyll dies in Hyde’s body. Hyde has a house in the sleazy area of Soho, bought for him by Dr. Jekyll. He also has access to Jekyll’s house (laboratory)

PURPOSE?

  • Hyde is the evil aspect of Jekyll manifested in a separate identity

  • Hyde forms a part of the main protagonist, he drives Jekyll to destruction and causes all the main events like Lanyon’s death, Murder of Carew etc.

KEY MOMENTS

CHAPTER 1 (Story of the door)

Utterson and Enfield discuss the time where Hyde trampled over a little girl and then accessed Jekyll’s house

CHAPTER 2 (Search for Mr. Hyde)

Utterson meets Hyde and discovers his appearance and relation to Jekyll

CHAPTER 4 (The Carew murder case)

Hyde violently murders Carew (old man) by beating him to death with a cane and then goes into hiding

CHAPTER 8 (The last night)

Poole describes Hyde before him and Mr. Utterson break down the door to find Hyde dying after committing suicide

CHAPTER 9 (Lanyon’s Narrative)

Lanyon’s letter describes how Hyde tempted Lanyon into watching him transform into Jekyll which shocks Lanyon to death

CHAPTER 10 (Jekyll’s Confession)

Jekyll describes the growing powers of Hyde