"A friend is a gift you give yourself.

" -- Robert Louis Stevenson

The Author
R OBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ( 1850-1894), was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 13, 1850. He was a sickly child, and respiratory troubles plagued him throughout his life. As a young man, he traveled through Europe, leading a bohemian lifestyle and penning his first two books, both travel narratives. In 1876, he met a married woman, Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne, and fell in love with her. Mrs. Osbourne eventually divorced her husband, and she and Stevenson were married. Stevenson returned to London with his bride and wrote prolifically over the next decade, in spite of his terrible health. He wo n widespread admiration with Treasure Island, written in 1883, and followed it with Kidnapped in 1886; both were adventure stories, the former a pirate tale set on the high seas and the latter a historical novel set in Stevensons native Scotland. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which Stevenson described as a fine bogey tale, also came out in 1886. It met with tremendous success, selling 40,000 copies in six months and ensuring Stevensons fame as a writer. In the 1880s, he went for a holiday with his family to the Polynesian islands of the Pacific. He fell in love with the islands, settled in Samoa and never left. The natives called him tusitala which means teller of tales. Stevenson is buried high on a Samoan hill and his grave bears this epitaph: Here he lies where he longed to be Home is the sailor , home from the sea; And the hunter home from the hill.

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Elements of The Novel

Themes

Good versus Evil

There is a constant struggle between the forces of good and evil, whether externally or internally. The external struggle is between the good characters and the bad characters. Edward Hyde and his housekeeper in Soho are representatives of evil. Mr. Utterson, Poole, Richard Enfield and the maid, who saw the killing of Sir Carew, represent good. These four good characters brought Hyde to justice for his crimes. For example, Enfield made sure that Hyde did not get away with his crimes. The maidservant was a very important witness in connecting Hyde to the killing of the innocent old man. Utterson and Poole indirectly forced Hyde into committing suicide and solved the mystery. The internal struggle is between Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego. For instance, Jekylls alter ego enjoyed wicked pleasures. He created a potion which he could change his physical appearance and separate his alter ego from himself. Thus, he created Edward Hyde. After the death of Sir Danvers Carew, Jekyll had to constantly struggle between being himself and being Hyde. Finally, the evil part won and he had to commit suicide to end the struggle.

Friendship and Loyalty

The character which brings out the true meaning of friendship and loyalty is Mr. Utterson. Throughout the story, Utterson tried his best to protect the image of his close friend, Dr. Jekyll. First, he did not agree with the suspicious will that Jekyll asked him to write. He tried his best to persuade Jekyll to change the will. When he saw part of Jekylls walking stick behind Hydes room door, he kept quiet because he knew it belonged to Jekyll. He made sure that Enfield told no one about Jekylls signature on the check for Edies father and about Jekylls horrifying physical change they both saw in his laboratory window. Utterson was also a true and loyal friend to Jeyll to the very end.
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Lanyon was also a loyal friend to Jekyll even though he swore never to meet Jekyll again after Hyde transformed into Jekyll in front of him. He kept Jeylls secret until his death and told only Utterson what he saw. Even that was only after he died, in a letter to Utterson. Mr. Guest was a loyal confidant of Utterson. He could be trusted to keep a secret.

Appearances
Appearances figure in the novel both figuratively and literally. Dr. Jekyll definitely wants to keep up a well-respected facade, even though he has a lot of unsavory tendencies. In a literal sense, the appearances of buildings in the novel reflect the character of the buildings inhabitants.Dr. Jekyll has a comfortable and well-appointed house but Mr. Hyde spends most of his time inthe dingy windowless structure of the doctors laboratory. Other disreputable quarters of London are described as well, the stomping ground of Mr. Hyde.

Lies and deceit (Hypocrisy)

In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the plot is frequently driven forward by secrecy and deception; Mr. Utterson does not know the relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and he wants to find out. Also, by omitting the scenes of Mr. Hydes supposedly treacherousness, Stevenson allows our imaginations to run to wild and eerie places

Point of view
1st persons point of view: In Chapter 12, Dr. Lanyons letter revealed Dr Jekylls secret. In Chapter 13, Dr. Jekylls statement revealed the whole truth. 3rd persons point of view: The author uses Mr Utterson as his narrator where he is all-knowing. The author knows everything about the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in this story. It is used throughout Chapter 1 -11.

Language & style

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Similes a. as quiet as the grave (p.7) b. as empty as a church (p.8) c. like the devil himself(p.16) d. a voice like a dogs snarl(p.19) e. like a flock of frightened sheep. (p.73) Metaphors a. with the speed of an angry cat(p.9) b. light on his feet(p.9) c. The air was full of hate! (p.14) Imagery a. rain blow after blow upon him(p.10) b. exploded in anger (p.16) Personification a. a blind forehead of dirty wall (p.18) b. a sleeping city (p.31) Flashback a. Chapter 9: Utterson reads the statement/letter from Dr. Langon who describes what he has encountered from Dr. Jekyll. b. Chapter 10: Utterson reads the letter from Dr. Jekyll after his death. The letter describes the doctor

Setting
The Story is set in London, some time in the eighteenth century. Most of the action took place in the streets of London, Jekylls laboratory and the residence of Utterson

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Streets of London
y Enfield witnessed Hyde trample over a little girl
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y A maidservant witnessed Hyde kill a prominent man

Utterson s Residence
y Utterson spent much time pondering over Jekylls will here y Utterson consulted his head clerk, Mr Guest, on Hydes letter to Jekyll

Jekyll s Laboratory
y Utterson met Hyde outside Jekylls laboratory y Utterson and Enfield saw Jekylls face changing through the window of the laboratory y Utterson and Poole found Hyde dead from having taken poison

Plot

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1) Exposition- Enfield confronts Hyde for trampling a little girl and Utterson is disturbed by Henry Jekylls new will. 2) Rising action- The whole of London is shocked to learn of Sir Danvers Crewss murder. 3) Introduction of conflict- Utterson and Enfield see Jekylls face change into something frightening. 4) Climax- Utterson and Poole break down the laboratory door to find Hyde dead. 5) Falling action- Poole and Utterson try to solve the mystery and locate Jekylls body. 6) Resolution- Jekyll reveals the full story and confesses that he and Hyde are the same person.

Character & Characteristics

-The main characters in this novel: a) Dr Henry Jekyll, the medical doctor and scientist. b) Mr. Edward Hyde, the other personality of Dr Jekyll. c) Mr.Utterson, the lawyer and Dr Jekylls trusted friend. d) Dr Hastie Lanyon, a friend of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Utterson. e) Poole, Dr Jekylls manservant. f) Richard Enfield, Mr. Uttersons nephew

a) Dr Henry Jekyll
-Well built and good looking Textual evidence: To this rule Dr Jekyll was no exception; and as he sat now on the opposite side of fire- a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty. (Pg Ref. 41) -Intelligent and wealthy Textual evidence: I was born in the year 18- to a large fortune
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(Pg Ref.94) Textual Evidence: .at an early age discovered that I had taste for science, and was intelligent enough, and rich enough to follow any line of scientific inquiry which appealed to me. (Pg Ref.94) -Careful Textual evidence: I had but to drink the cup to throw off the body of the famous doctor, and put on, like a change of clothing, the shape of Edward Hyde. (Pg Ref.100) Textual evidence: In my own home, I announced to my servants that a Mr. Hyde, whom I describe to them, was to have full liberty and power about my house in the square, and was to be obeyed in all things as I was myself. (Pg Ref.100) -Leads a secret double life Textual evidence: And then, with a strong sense of relief, I realized that the servant were already used to the coming and going of my second self. (Pg Ref.104 Textual Evidence: To stamp out Hyde and to remain only Jekyll, was to lose for ever those pleasure I had so much enjoyed. (Pg Ref.106)

b) Mr. Edward Hyde

-Small-built and has an unpleasant look Textual Evidence Particularly small and particularly wicked looking is what the maid calls him, said the officer. (Pg Ref.90) -Cruel and Evil Textual Evidence: The man trampled over the childs body, as if it was the most unnatural thing in the world, and left her screaming on the ground. (Pg Ref.8)

c) Mr. Utterson
-A lawyer and a man of authority Textual evidence: Mr. Utterson, a lawyer, was uncle to
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Richard Enfield. (Pg Ref.23) Textual evidence: In business, he has known as a man who calculated every risk before he took action or gave advice: a cool man, a steady man, essentially a man of sense and authority.(Pg Ref.23) -Trustworthy and a true friend Textual evidence: Jekyll, said Utterson,you know me, I am a man to be trusted. Tell me confidence what is wrong and I should not be at all surprised if I can get you out of it,(Pg Ref.42) -A lovable man Textual evidence: He was long, lean, dull and dusty-and yet somehow entirely lovable. (Pg Ref.23) Textual evidence: For al that, Richard had a great affection for the dry old lawyer, and both men looked upon their walks on occasion of pleasure, and even resisted the calls of business, which they might enjoy interrupted.(Pg Ref.24)

d) Dr Hastie Lanyon
-A dear friend of Mr. Utterson and Dr Jekyll Textual evidence: I suppose Lanyon, he said, that you and I must be the two oldest friends that Henry Jekyll has?(Pg Ref.30) Textual evidence: I wish the friends were younger, said Dr Lanyon with laugh.(Pg Ref.30) -A medical doctor Textual evidence: I am a doctor, he said and his voice had lost its old certainty and firmness, and I know that my days are numbered.(Pg Ref.62) -Terrified of Dr Jekyll . Textual evidence: I will never see him again, said Lanyon. He knows that-and he knows why. Why dont you ask him?(Pg Ref.62) Textual Evidence: But, in the meantime, if you can sit and talk to me of other things for Gods sake, do so! If you must speak of Jekyll, however, then in Gods name, go, for I cannot bear it.(Pg Ref.64)

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e) Richard Enfield
-The nephew of Mr. Utterson, the lawyer Textual Evidence: It was the habit if Mr. Utterson and his nephew to walk together on a Sunday morning (Pg Ref.24) Textual evidence: My dear uncle began Richard, surprised out of himself. (Pg Ref.27) -Caring and concern man Textual evidence: He bent and patted the childs shoulder.(Pg Ref.13) -Civic-minded Textual evidence: You will be good enough to return, He said coldly, to offer your sympathy and inquire what harm you may have done, (Pg Ref.11)

Poole
- Jekylls butler. Mr. Poole is a loyal servant, having worked for the doctor for twenty years, and his concern for his master eventually drives him to seek Uttersons help when he becomes convinced that something has happened to Jekyll. 1) Faithful- seved Jekyll for many years; became deeply worried that there was foul play involving Jekyll when Jekyll did not appear from the laboratory for days

Mr. Guest
- Uttersons head clerk and confidant. Guest is also an expert in handwriting. His skill proves particularly useful when Utterson wants him to examine a bit of Hydes handwriting. Guest notices that Hydes script is the same as Jekylls, but slanted the other way. 1) Trustworthy- Utterson trusted his judgement; able to keep secrects 2) Observant- noticed a similarity between Jekylls and Hydes handwriting, which Utterson did not

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Dr Grant
-A doctor much respected by the ordinary class in Edies neighbourhood; like Enfield, was determined to see justice done for the way Edie was treated.

My Personal Response
For me, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde makes a significant impact on the reader imposing the question on the duality of human nature. An example that we may look upon is the characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I am wondering if Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are in fact a single character. Until the end of the novel, the two personas seem nothing alikethe well-liked, respectable doctor and the hideous, depraved Hyde are almost opposite in type and personality. The author, Robert Louis uses this marked contrast to make his point: every human being contains opposite forces within him or her, an alter ego that hides behind one's polite facade. Ultimately, while the author clearly asserts human nature as possessing two aspects, he leaves open the question of what these aspects constitute. Perhaps they consist of evil and virtue; perhaps they represent ones inner animal and the veneer that civilization has imposed. The author enhances the richness of the novel by leaving us to look within ourselves to find the answers. Indeed this has made me refect upon my own life in addition to an ambition to become a better person. I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book.

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Sample Question with Answer

Based on the novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, write briefly on what the writer says about loyalty. Loyalty in Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is relected in their friendship between Mr. Utterson and Jekyll. Mr. Utterson keeps Jekylls hideous secret because Jekyll is an old and good friend, and Utterson safeguards his friends good name and reputation. However horrified he may feel at Jekylls sinister experiment, Utterson keeps quiet and tells Poole and Guest as well not to talk about what they know because he is loyal to his friend. Jekyll obviously kno ws he can trust Utterson, as he writes him an explanation for his strange behaviour before he disappears. He trusts Uttersons friendship; he knows that Utterson is a loyal friend who will keep his secret so that his good name and reputation will not be lost.

Lessons Learnt
We Must Be Responsible For Our Actions
-Dr Jekyll was not responsible for his evil acts. -He created another image and uses him to commit his cruel and evil acts. -As a doctor, his duty is to save lives but instead he created Hyde to do thing he could not as respected doctor.

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We Must Think Rationally When We Make a Decision

-Dr Jekyll believed that there are two sides to a persons

character; the good and the bad. He attempts to follow his hearts desire to separate the good and evil parts in man so that he can enjoy his evil doings without being caught. But his experiment was only successful for a short while and it brought him discontentment and unhappiness.

Loyalty to Friends
-Dr Jekylls good friends, Mr. Uttreson and Dr Lanyon cared very much for him. It was Dr Jekyll who did not appreciate their friendship and secretly indulged in unlawful experiments to satisfy his fantasies. However, Dr Lanyon followed his instructions and watched Hyde transform. What he saw eventually killed him

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Lessons Learnt
Be

loyal and faithful morally upright helpful trustworthy in hope or have confident courageous repentant/should not play with Gods creation.

True friendship should be valued

Be

Show kindness and concern

Be Be

Believe Be Be

Do not dabble with the unknown Control ones negative side Persevere Put personal and integrity and honour first

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