Hyde and Seek

When Utterson says: "If he be Mr. Hyde...I shall be Mr. Seek

Dr. Hyde: 

"He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify the point. He's an extraordinary looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way". (Stevenson 7-8) 

Dr. Jekyll: 

"To this rule, Dr Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire - a large, well-made, smooth-faced, man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness - you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr Utterson a sincere and warm affection...agreed to drop". (Stevenson 19-20)

Analysis: 

Beginning with the section describing Mr Hyde, it is much more straightforward, but somehow also leaves a lot up to the imagination. It gives as much of a glimpse into his character as deemed possible, but Stevenson never uses a specific adjective. This contrasts with the section describing Dr Jekyll, in which words such as 'large, well-made, smooth-faced, etc' are used, which are much more direct and reveal a lot more. I think that this was done on purpose by Stevenson, as Dr Jekyll was supposed to be the character that we could relate to more, and Hyde was meant to be someone that one wouldn't particularly want to get to know. In general, Mr Hyde is reacted to badly, and Dr Jekyll is thought of in a lighter sense. 

Another thing that was interesting to me about these two specific excerpts was the foreshadowing that is evident in each (especially Dr Jekyll). In the quotes from Chapter 3, it begins by using all words with positive connotations, but then sneaks in a part that says "with something of a slyish cast perhaps". This hints generally at the essence of evil within us, but even more so towards the events that happen later in the book, when that evil is let out. While not as obvious as is in Dr Jekyll's description, the section of Mr Hyde's that says "he gives a strong feeling of deformity", is also quite revealing. When reading this, the 'deformity' being referenced could be referring to the changes that occur between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Morphing from one person to another is very unnatural, and could be described as a deformity, or could also result in one. 

Poem: The purpose of this poem is to show the two different reactions to the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. 

Jekyll Hyde Both

Last night was the murder of Sir Danvers Carew

Last night I murdered Sir Danvers Carew 

He was beaten to death with a stick.. it was horrifying

I beat him with a stick... and it felt amazing

I'm worried it was Mr Hyde

Jekyll knows it was me, I'm sure he's sorry

He seems to be taking me over

I'm gaining power in him as each day goes by

I'm scared of what he'll do next

What I have planned next is glorious

I need to get that potion