Incident of the Letter
Dr Jekyll’s attitude towards Mr Hyde changes significantly in the “Incident of the Letter”. Before, Dr Jekyll seemed quite happy to turn into Hyde. He gave up on restraining himself and turned into Hyde, before proceeding to violently murder Sir Danvers Carew. In the “Incident of the Letter”, however, he seems to have realized the consequences of his actions and promised Utterson “I bind my honor to you that I am done with him in this world”. This comments on the novel’s theme of morality by showing that giving into pleasure is immoral and has serious consequences and implies that true morality is doing what you’re supposed to do in society.
The description of Jekyll’s dwelling at the beginning of Chapter 5 represents his secrecy in his time of anguish. Vivid imagery provided by descriptions of the fog, barred windows and the structure and surroundings of the laboratory make the setting seem entrapping, disordered and isolated, clearly representing Jekyll’s state of mind.
Dr Lanyon is a long time friend of Jekyll’s. However, he disagrees with his scientific concepts, describing them as “too fanciful”. Lanyon becomes ill and dies after witnessing Hyde’s transformation back to Jekyll. Lanyon is the embodiment of Victorian rationalism because of his opposition to Jekyll’s hedonistic experiments. Lanyon serves as a character who attempts to prevent Dr Jekyll’s plans from succeeding, since he tries to help Utterson to solve the case.
The description of Jekyll’s dwelling at the beginning of Chapter 5 represents his secrecy in his time of anguish. Vivid imagery provided by descriptions of the fog, barred windows and the structure and surroundings of the laboratory make the setting seem entrapping, disordered and isolated, clearly representing Jekyll’s state of mind.
Dr Lanyon is a long time friend of Jekyll’s. However, he disagrees with his scientific concepts, describing them as “too fanciful”. Lanyon becomes ill and dies after witnessing Hyde’s transformation back to Jekyll. Lanyon is the embodiment of Victorian rationalism because of his opposition to Jekyll’s hedonistic experiments. Lanyon serves as a character who attempts to prevent Dr Jekyll’s plans from succeeding, since he tries to help Utterson to solve the case.