How does Stevenson present Dr Lanyon?

In this extract from Chapter 9 ‘Dr Lanyon’s Narrative’, Lanyon recalls a meeting with Hyde

“Sir,” said I, affecting a coolness that I was far from truly possessing, “you speak enigmas, and you will perhaps not wonder that I hear you with no very strong impression of belief. But I have gone too far in the way of inexplicable services to pause before I see the end.”

“It is well,” replied my visitor. “Lanyon, you remember your vows: what follows is under the seal of our profession. And now, you who have so long been bound to the most narrow and material views, you who have denied the virtue of transcendental medicine, you who have derided your superiors - behold!”

He put the glass to his lips, and drank at one gulp. A cry followed; he reeled, staggered, clutched at the table and held on, staring with infected eyes, gasping with open mouth; and as I looked, there came, I thought, a change - he seemed to swell - his face became suddenly black, and the features seemed to melt and alter - and the next moment I had sprung to my feet and leaped back against the wall, my arm raised to shield me from that prodigy, my mind submerged in terror.

“O God!” I screamed, and “O God!” again and again; for there before my eyes - pale and shaken, and half fainting, and groping before him with his hands, like a man restored from death - there stood Henry Jekyll!

What he told me in the next hour I cannot bring my mind to set on paper. I saw what I saw, I heard what I heard, and my soul sickened at it; and yet, now when that sight has faded from my eyes, I ask myself if I believe it, and I cannot answer. My life is shaken to its roots; sleep has left me; the deadliest terror sits by me at all hours of the day and night; I feel that my days are numbered, and that I must die; and yet I shall die incredulous.

Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson presents Dr Lanyon. Write about:
• how Stevenson presents Lanyon in the extract
• how Stevenson presents Lanyon in the novel as a whole

[30 marks]

PARAGRAPH 1:

In extract and throughout the novella, Stevenson presents Dr Lanyon as a rational character who resists transcendental science and follows a more practical approach. This makes the character act as a foil to Dr Jekyll, which thus highlights to the contemporary audience the dangers of meddling with mystical science.

‘bound to the most narrow and material views’
‘derided your superiors’
‘that prodigy’
‘unscientific balderdash’
‘he began to go wrong, wrong in mind’

PARAGRAPH 2:

Throughout Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson portrays Lanyon as a reputable character who maintains a good appearance and is the ideal Victorian gentlemen - therefore respecting religion and maintaining his good reputation.

‘affecting a coolness that I was far from truly possessing’
‘“Oh God!” again and again’
‘I felt bound to do as he requested’
‘You forget that I have not yet the pleasure of your acquaintance. Be seated, if you please’

PARAGRAPH 3:

In the novella, Stevenson highlights how drastic of a decline Dr Lanyon has after his encounter with Hyde in order to highlight his rational and conservative nature, as well as symbolise how transcendental and mystical science ultimately causes destruction and death. Stevenson wants to warn the audience that even the most conservative people, like Lanyon, will be affected as society develops science further.