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GCSE English Literature - Jekyll and Hyde - Full Marks Essay
GCSE English Literature - Jekyll and Hyde - Full Marks Essay
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Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson creates mystery and tension inThe Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde.
This passage occurs immediately after the brutal murder of Sir Danver Carew
and Hyde, a dangerous, potentially psychopathic murderer is missing, and could
even be a danger to the public. These dramatic circumstances give the extract a
strong atmosphere of tension. Moreover, mystery is created through important
information being withheld from the reader, and they wonder Hyde’s identity and
origins.
Arguably one of the most significant ways Stevenson creates mystery and
tension in the novella is through the atmospheric descriptions, creating obscurity
and suspense. At the beginning of the extract, Stevenson writes that it is the
‘first fog of the season’, and this is emphasized by the harsh fricative alliteration
of ‘first’ and ‘fog’, creating an eerie atmosphere. Throughout the novella, fog is a
symbol of obscurity and withheld information, and can even be considered
foreshadowing evil incidents. This alludes to the mysteries surrounding Hyde, his
whereabouts and motivation for murder, which Utterson is on his way to find out.
Stevenson further creates a tension-filled atmosphere through a semantic field of
battle and conflict, as seen ‘continually charging’, ‘embattled vapours’,
‘conflagration’, ‘combat’ and ‘mournful reinvasion’. This personification of the
wind and fog is an example of pathetic fallacy, echoing Utterson’s deep concern
and internal conflict regarding his friend Jekyll. His anxiety and the tension is
increased by ‘the cab crawled’, the alliteration emphasizing the painfully slow
yet very important journey to find Hyde, a dangerous murderer on the streets.
This description also, emphasizes the weather’s turbulent and ever-changing
nature, which could mirror the duality between Jekyll and Hyde, and by extension
all humans. The constant battle between good and evil within individuals
(reflected by the conflict in the weather) is an unsettling theme and could make
readers question their own capacity for darkness.
Another way Stevenson creates mystery and tension is through Utterson’s
concern for his friend, fuelling his determination to uncover the truth about Hyde.
In the extract, Utterson describes Soho to be like a ‘city in a nightmare’. While
this depicts the setting as dark, eerie and ominous, it also alludes to Utterson’s
nightmare in Chapter 2. Mr. Hyde is referred to as ‘the figure’ and ‘it’ several
times throughout the extract. The noun ‘figure’ is rather ambiguous; this not only
dehumanizes Hyde, but the repetition emphasizes the sense of mystery
surrounding his identity. Utterson’s nightmare reiterates the Story of the Door,
which shows the profound impact it had on him, emphasizing Hyde’s inhumane
and evil actions. This could increase suspense and tension for the reader, as they
wonder what Hyde will do next. Furthermore, Stevenson states Utterson is
‘haunted’ by the nightmare and references ‘labyrinths’. The verb ‘haunted’ has
connotations of the supernatural and is unsettling, while a ‘labyrinth’ is a maze,
often associated with deception, secrecy and mystery. Both words convey a
sense of entrapment and inescapability for Utterson. Ultimately, this nightmare is
what pushes Utterson to investigate Hyde; he declares ‘if he be Mr Hyde’ ‘I shall
be Mr Seek’. The modal verb ‘shall’ displaying his determination, and ‘Seek’
solidifying his role as detective to the reader. This could also increase tension, as
the reader may wonder what lengths Utterson will go to protect Jekyll and
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