Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde Section: Book Reports
Hyde is unpleasant, cool, defiant, and confident. Utterson convinces Hyde to show his face, and Hyde suggests Utterson should know his address, implying that he knows of Jekyll´s will. Utterson refers to Hyde to himself as troglodytic, meaning a primitive human being, detestable and unpleasant. Utterson decides to try and visit Jekyll at the late hour. At Jekyll´s home, he learns from the servants that Hyde never east dinner at Jekyll´s house, but is always there in the laboratory, with his own key. The servants rarely see him, but they have orders to obey him. Utterson leaves, and reflects upon his own life, what evil deeds he may be guilty of, and what bad things his friend Jekyll may have done in his life. He decides that this Hyde must be gravely evil, far worse than anything Jekyll may have ever done. Utterson decides to try and discover what evil things Hyde has done and may be doing, but fears that his friend Jekyll will object. To finish, Utterson again considers the strange will of Jekyll, specifically that it he disappears for longer than three months, that his estate should be turned over to Hyde. Utterson fears that Hyde might kill Jekyll for the will. Chapter 3 Dr. Jekyll has a dinner party and Utterson attends. Utterson is a well liked and respected man, by Jekyll as well as anyone. Utterson stays behind after the party, and talks with Jekyll about the will. Jekyll tries at first to politely and jovially avoid the topic towards his scientific rivalry with Dr. Lanyon, but Utterson insists. Utterson explains that he thinks the will is a bad idea, and Jekyll wishes to stop talking about it. Jekyll states that he is in a unique situation that can´t be fixed through talking, but Utterson promises that he can be trusted to help in confidence. Jekyll insists that he is in control, that he can be rid of Mr. Hyde at his own discretion. He begs Utterson to leave the matter alone. He explains that he has great interest in Hyde, and that Utterson follow his will and secure Jekyll´s estate for Hyde if Jekyll passes away. Utterson promises to fulfill this duty. Chapter 4 One of Jekyll´s maid servants is watching out her window on a foggy night and sees Hyde and Sir Danvers meet by chance, They talk under her window, and without warning, Hyde explodes with rage and strikes Danvers with his heavy cane. Hyde stomped upon the man, crushing his bones, while the maid faints. The maid wakes up, calls the police. They find a purse and gold watch, and an envelope for Utterson on the victim, but no papers or cards. They find part of Hyde´s splintered, broken cane. Utterson goes to the police station to see the body. Utterson identifies the victim as Danvers, and notices that the piece of cane resembles one he gave to Jekyll a long time ago. Utterson leads the police to Hyde´s house in Soho. As they arrive at Hyde´s house, Utterson notices the darkness from the brown fog, and considers the fear people must have of the law and the police. At Hyde´s, an very white skinned woman with grey hair and an evil face tells them she hadn´t seen Hyde for 2 months. At first the woman protests, but she seems happy to learn that Hyde might be in trouble. In the house, Utterson and the police inspector find that only a few rooms are being used. They find clues to show that Hyde was responsible for the murder: Hyde´s clothes had been ransacked, a burnt cheque book, the other part of the cane, and at the bank, Hyde´s account had several thousand pounds (British money) in it.
Words: 626
