Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by

Robert Louis Stevenson

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Dr. Jekyll Character Analysis

is the old friend of Mr. Utterson and Dr. Lanyon, whose changing behavior causes suspicion all round as to his mental state. He is introduced as a kind, professorial gentleman, but comes under criticism from Lanyon for his “unscientific” ideas. As he seems to become more under the influence of Mr. Hyde, Jekyll’s secrecy and seclusion causes his old friends to become detectives. Jekyll communicates through documents, written wills and sealed letters that instruct the reader as they do his friends. In his final confession, he admits to having always had both positive and very dark urges, a duality that he believes is a natural human phenomenon. He is a determined scientist and has secretly dedicated his life to finding out the truth about his own duality and that of the human race, and in so doing discovers a potion that allows him to transform into his "evil" side, Mr. Hyde.

Dr. Jekyll Quotes in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde quotes below are all either spoken by Dr. Jekyll or refer to Dr. Jekyll. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Science, Reason and the Supernatural Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2 Quotes

“He began to go wrong, wrong in mind; and though of course I continue to take an interest in him for old sake's sake, as they say, I see and I have seen devilish little of the man. Such unscientific balderdash," added the doctor, flushing suddenly purple, "would have estranged Damon and Pythias."

Related Characters: Dr. Hastie Lanyon (speaker), Dr. Jekyll
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 57
Explanation and Analysis:

"Poor Harry Jekyll," he thought, "my mind misgives me he is in deep waters! He was wild when he was young; a long while ago to be sure; but in the law of God, there is no statute of limitations. Ay, it must be that; the ghost of some old sin, the cancer of some concealed disgrace…”

Related Characters: Mr. Gabriel Utterson (speaker), Dr. Jekyll
Page Number: 63
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3 Quotes

The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more," said he. "This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop."

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Gabriel Utterson
Related Symbols: The Appearance of Evil
Page Number: 66
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

The fire burned in the grate; a lamp was set lighted on the chimney shelf, for even in the houses the fog began to lie thickly; and there, close up to the warmth, sat Dr. Jekyll, looking deathly sick. He did not rise to meet his
visitor, but held out a cold hand and bade him welcome in a changed voice.

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll
Page Number: 75
Explanation and Analysis:

"I cannot say that I care what becomes of Hyde; I am quite done with him. I was thinking of my own character, which this hateful business has rather exposed."

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker), Mr. Hyde
Page Number: 76
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6 Quotes

The death of Sir Danvers was, to his way of thinking, more than paid for by the disappearance of Mr. Hyde. Now that that evil influence had been withdrawn, a new life began for Dr. Jekyll. He came out of his seclusion, renewed relations with his friends, became once more their familiar guest and entertainer…

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde
Page Number: 80
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

The middle one of the three windows was half-way open; and sitting close beside it, taking the air with an infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner, Utterson saw Dr. Jekyll.

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Gabriel Utterson
Page Number: 86
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

"O, sir," cried Poole, "do you think I do not know my master after twenty years? Do you think I do not know where his head comes to in the cabinet door, where I saw him every morning of my life? No, sir, that thing in the mask was never Dr. Jekyll--God knows what it was, but it was never Dr. Jekyll; and it is the belief of my heart that there was murder done."

Related Characters: Poole (speaker), Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde
Page Number: 93
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

“Think of me at this hour, in a strange place, labouring under a blackness of distress that no fancy can exaggerate, and yet well aware that, if you will but punctually serve me, my troubles will roll away like a story that is told. Serve me, my dear Lanyon and save

Your friend, H.J.”

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker)
Related Symbols: Letters and Documents
Page Number: 103
Explanation and Analysis:

"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!"

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker)
Related Symbols: Letters and Documents
Page Number: 108
Explanation and Analysis:

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.

Related Characters: Dr. Hastie Lanyon (speaker), Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde
Related Symbols: Letters and Documents
Page Number: 109
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the
intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to that truth, by whose partial discovery I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two.

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker)
Related Symbols: Letters and Documents
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 111
Explanation and Analysis:

I looked down; my clothes hung formlessly on my shrunken limbs; the hand that lay on my knee was corded and hairy. I was once more Edward Hyde.

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker), Mr. Hyde
Page Number: 124
Explanation and Analysis:

I am careless; this is my true hour of death, and what is to follow concerns another than myself. Here then, as I lay down the pen and proceed to seal up my confession, I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end.

Related Characters: Dr. Jekyll (speaker)
Related Symbols: Letters and Documents
Page Number: 130
Explanation and Analysis:
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Dr. Jekyll Character Timeline in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Jekyll appears in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
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...private safe and finds the will that has been entrusted to him by a Dr. Jekyll. The will bequeaths Dr. Jekyll’s estate to Edward Hyde and also notes that should Dr.... (full context)
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...Mr. Hyde, and didn’t know why this man should be placed so high above Dr. Jekyll’s own family, but now, his anger comes from his knowledge of the “detestable” man. He... (full context)
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...of Mr. Utterson’s and greets him warmly. Mr. Utterson gets to the point of Dr. Jekyll and asks if he and Jekyll not Dr. Lanyon’s two oldest friends. Dr. Lanyon agrees... (full context)
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...glad of this explanation from Dr. Lanyon because he thinks that his dispute with Dr. Jekyll is based on a difference of medical opinion, but when Utterson hears that Dr. Lanyon... (full context)
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...obsessed with knowing what Mr. Hyde looks like. He thinks it might explain how Dr. Jekyll has been so influenced by the man. The next day, Utterson starts to hang about... (full context)
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...moment but answers to the name. Mr. Utterson introduces himself as a friend of Dr. Jekyll’s but Mr. Hyde tells him that Dr. Jekyll is not inside. Utterson asks to see... (full context)
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Mr. Utterson explains to Mr. Hyde that they have mutual friends, naming Dr. Jekyll as one of them. Mr. Hyde becomes suddenly defensive and tries to cover up the... (full context)
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...corner, in a square of elegant but old properties, and asks its servant if Dr. Jekyll is at home. He recalls that this hallway in Jekyll's house was once his favorite... (full context)
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...to always obey him. Mr. Utterson goes home, having come to the conclusion that Dr. Jekyll has been condemned by some past fault and is now bound to obey Hyde by... (full context)
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...that Mr. Hyde has heinous deeds in his past, and Utterson resolves to protect Dr. Jekyll. He knows he must act quickly, because if Mr. Hyde has found out about the... (full context)
Chapter 3
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Dr. Jekyll holds a dinner party for some close friends. Mr. Utterson, as he often does, stays... (full context)
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Mr. Utterson brings up the subject of Jekyll's will, but before he can ask anything, Jekyll expresses his sympathy for bringing Utterson into... (full context)
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Utterson brings Dr. Jekyll back to the matter at hand and says he now has even more cause to... (full context)
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Dr. Jekyll lastly tries to explain to Mr. Utterson that he actually finds Mr. Hyde very interesting,... (full context)
Chapter 4
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...very well-kept, with nice furniture and decoration, including a painting given to Hyde by Dr. Jekyll. But the rooms also looked like they had been recently ransacked and in the spilled... (full context)
Chapter 5
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That afternoon, Utterson has come to Dr. Jekyll’s house and is taken for the first time to the “dissecting rooms” (the house had... (full context)
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Dr. Jekyll is changed. Utterson asks whether Jekyll is concealing Hyde, to which Jekyll responds that he... (full context)
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Utterson asks Jekyll about the envelope but too late—Jekyll has already burned it. Jekyll explains that the envelope... (full context)
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On the way out, Utterson asks Poole, Dr. Jekyll’s servant, to describe the sender of the letter, since Dr. Jekyll said it was hand-delivered,... (full context)
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...the streets but the fire is making the room cheerful. Mr. Guest knows about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and is an expert on handwriting. So Utterson mentions the murder and... (full context)
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Utterson’s servant then brings him a note from Dr. Jekyll. Guest’s curiosity is piqued and he wonders if it is anything private. Utterson says it’s... (full context)
Chapter 6
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...past misdemeanors, but as Hyde continues to be absent, Utterson’s concern calm down and Dr. Jekyll begins to be more social. Jekyll goes back to doing charitable deeds. (full context)
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This peace continues for two months. In January, Dr. Jekyll holds a dinner party for some friends including Utterson and Lanyon and it seems just... (full context)
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...if we were to know everything, we wouldn’t fear dying so much. Utterson mentions that Jekyll is suffering too, but Lanyon declares that he is done with Jekyll, and never wants... (full context)
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Utterson decides to write to Dr. Jekyll, demanding answers. Jekyll replies in a long, tragic letter. He says first that he doesn’t... (full context)
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...This one tells Utterson not to open it until the death or disappearance of Dr. Jekyll. Utterson is confused by the similarity of this condition to the wording of Jekyll’s will.... (full context)
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From then on, Utterson thinks of Dr. Jekyll with a sense of trepidation. He continues to try to visit Jekyll's house, but is... (full context)
Chapter 7
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...and Mr. Enfield are on another of their Sunday walks and again pass by the Jekyll’s dissecting rooms. They stop and look. Enfield expresses his relief that they will not hear... (full context)
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Dr. Jekyll sees them, and tells Utterson that he is very low. Utterson blames Jekyll's condition on... (full context)
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But no sooner have they settled on this plan than Dr. Jekyll is possessed by a strange expression of terror, suddenly rushes off, and does not return.... (full context)
Chapter 8
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...Utterson asks what the matter is, and Poole confesses that he is worried about Dr. Jekyll. He has secluded himself in his study and his behavior is making Poole very afraid.... (full context)
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...and the desertion of the streets fill Utterson with a sense of foreboding. Now outside Jekyll’s laboratory, Poole dabs his brow with a handkerchief. Despite the chill, Poole’s anxiety has caused... (full context)
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Poole leads Utterson with a candle to the garden, in between the main building and Jekyll’s laboratory. He urges Utterson to stay quiet. He also warns him, that should Dr. Jekyll... (full context)
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Utterson notices that Jekyll’s voice is changed, and Poole comments that it is not merely changed but a different... (full context)
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...an example of one of these notes, in which the man on behalf of Dr. Jekyll complains to the pharmacist that the substance recently purchased from the pharmacy is impure. Utterson... (full context)
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Utterson sees that the handwriting is identical to Dr. Jekyll’s, and Poole says they need not even look at that evidence—he says he has seen... (full context)
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...saw—it was Mr. Hyde. He explains that Mr. Hyde is the only person other than Jekyll who enters the laboratory and adds Hyde has always given him an unmistakable, though unexplainable,... (full context)
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Utterson calls in Bradshaw, a footman of Jekyll's, and asks him to stand on guard outside the lab, while he and Poole attempt... (full context)
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Utterson now shouts out to Jekyll that he demands to see him, and that he will enter by force if he... (full context)
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They now go looking for Jekyll’s body. They search the entire laboratory building, but find nothing. Poole thinks that Jekyll’s body... (full context)
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As they continue to search for Jekyll, they find leftover substances from unfinished experiments, which Poole recognizes as the same chemical substance... (full context)
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They examine Jekyll’s desk and find a letter addressed to Utterson. Inside are several documents, including another will,... (full context)
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Utterson reads the letter. Jekyll writes that if Utterson is reading these words it means that he, Jekyll, has disappeared... (full context)
Chapter 9
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Jekyll goes on to urge Lanyon to postpone all other engagements and to take a carriage... (full context)
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Dr. Jekyll adds that he trusts Dr. Lanyon completely, and he asks him to think of his... (full context)
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...friend has gone mad but is determined to follow his instructions. He goes directly to Jekyll’s place, where he finds Poole and they go, with two tradesman, into the old operating... (full context)
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...a physical transformation that causes Lanyon to scream with terror. When it is finished, Henry Jekyll stands before him. Lanyon then confesses he cannot write down the awful things Jekyll told... (full context)
Chapter 10
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This chapter is Jekyll’s "confession." He starts by writing that he had a good start in life, and had... (full context)
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As a scientist, Jekyll began to theorize that all men have an inherent dual nature. He starts to study... (full context)
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Jekyll writes that he does not wish to go into the scientific details, but he eventually... (full context)
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Jekyll is determined, even though he has obviously changed shape (he is now much smaller, though... (full context)
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...needs to perform a second experiment to make sure he can turn back to Dr. Jekyll. He rushes back to his cabinet and prepares another potion, drinks it, and becomes his... (full context)
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...could shed the conscience of evil deeds and enjoy them, maintaining the respectability of Dr. Jekyll whenever he wanted. But these deeds were becoming more monstrous and Dr. Jekyll at times... (full context)
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...has woken up as Mr. Hyde. He is astonished, having gone to bed as Dr. Jekyll. He panics, but realizes that his servants already are used to seeing Hyde around so... (full context)
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But though he escapes detection, this event threatens Dr. Jekyll. He believes it is a sign of a coming judgment. He starts to feel that... (full context)
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...trouble was how to maintain it. For two months, he enjoyed the life of Dr. Jekyll again, being sociable and leaving Hyde’s Soho house empty. But one night, he feels the... (full context)
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The next day, the public anger at the murder of Carew becomes clear and Jekyll resolves himself to make amends by doing as much good as he can. He succeeds... (full context)
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...inn and, keeping as much undercover as possible, write to Dr. Lanyon (the letter from Jekyll that is mentioned in Lanyon's letter of Chapter 9). After the letter has been sent,... (full context)
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But again, as he is walking to breakfast, Jekyll is taken over by Hyde. He rushes to the upper room of his laboratory and... (full context)
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Jekyll and Hyde’s relationship becomes more complicated. Hyde’s “terror of the gallows” drives him to seek... (full context)
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Jekyll writes that this awful, but now familiar pattern, could have gone on for years but... (full context)