Estimated read time: 12 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role in Story | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | Protagonist, Scientist | Intelligent, conflicted, ambitious, secretive |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | Antagonist, Alter Ego | Cruel, violent, impulsive, remorseless |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | Lawyer, Narrator | Rational, loyal, persistent, moral |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Friend, Scientist | Skeptical, principled, rational |
| Mr. Richard Enfield | Utterson’s Cousin | Observant, discreet, sociable |
| Poole | Jekyll’s Butler | Loyal, concerned, perceptive |
| Sir Danvers Carew | Victim | Respectable, elderly, innocent |
Role Identification
| Character Name | Literary Function | Narrative Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | Protagonist, tragic figure | Drives main conflict, explores duality of man |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | Antagonist, dark alter ego | Embodiment of Jekyll's repressed side, source of horror |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | Narrator, detective | Provides rational perspective, unravels the mystery |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Foil to Jekyll, witness | Offers scientific skepticism, pivotal in revealing secret |
| Mr. Richard Enfield | Catalyst, storyteller | Introduces Hyde, sets plot in motion |
| Poole | Loyal servant, supporting | Helps expose Jekyll’s secret |
| Sir Danvers Carew | Victim, symbol of innocence | His murder escalates the plot |
Character Descriptions
Dr. Henry Jekyll
Dr. Henry Jekyll is a respected physician and scientist in Victorian London. He is known for his charitable works and his progressive scientific research. Jekyll is physically described as a large, well-made, and smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast. He is a bachelor, wealthy, and holds a high social standing.
Mr. Edward Hyde
Mr. Hyde is the dark, physical manifestation of Jekyll’s repressed evil impulses. He is described as younger, smaller, and physically repugnant, with a sense of deformity that cannot be named. Hyde is animalistic, violent, and evokes fear and disgust in everyone who sees him.
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson
Utterson is a prominent London lawyer and a close friend of Dr. Jekyll. He is described as “a man of a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile,” yet he is tolerant and understanding. Utterson values rationality and loyalty above all.
Dr. Hastie Lanyon
Dr. Lanyon is a reputable physician and Jekyll’s old friend. He is a man of science but deeply traditional and skeptical of Jekyll’s experiments. Lanyon is described as hearty, healthy, and dapper, with a boisterous manner.
Mr. Richard Enfield
Enfield is Utterson’s distant cousin and friend. He is a reserved yet amiable man, known for his discretion. Enfield is the first to witness Hyde’s cruelty and brings the matter to Utterson’s attention.
Poole
Poole is Dr. Jekyll’s loyal butler. He is a servant of many years, dedicated and trustworthy. Poole becomes increasingly worried about his master’s behavior and ultimately seeks Utterson’s help.
Sir Danvers Carew
Sir Danvers Carew is a gentle, elderly Member of Parliament. He is courteous and innocent, and his brutal murder at Hyde’s hands shocks London society.
Character Traits
| Character Name | Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | Intelligent, charitable, ambitious | Secretive, prideful, conflicted |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | None | Violent, cruel, remorseless, impulsive |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | Loyal, rational, persistent | Emotionally distant, rigid |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Rational, principled, honest | Intolerant, rigid, fearful |
| Mr. Richard Enfield | Discreet, sociable | Indifferent, passive |
| Poole | Loyal, observant, brave | Anxious, fearful |
| Sir Danvers Carew | Respectful, kind | None |
Character Background
Dr. Henry Jekyll
Jekyll comes from a wealthy background and is well-educated. He is deeply invested in the study of the human psyche, particularly the duality of man. His desire to separate his good and evil sides leads him to dangerous experimentation.
Mr. Edward Hyde
Hyde is not a separate person but the embodiment of Jekyll’s hidden desires. He has no background of his own; his existence is rooted in Jekyll’s psyche and scientific folly.
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson
Utterson is a well-respected lawyer with a strong moral code. His friendship with Jekyll motivates him to investigate the strange events surrounding Hyde and Jekyll.
Dr. Hastie Lanyon
Lanyon shares a professional history with Jekyll and once respected his scientific endeavors. However, he rejects Jekyll’s more mystical experiments, which leads to their estrangement.
Mr. Richard Enfield
Enfield’s background is largely unexplored, but he serves as a reliable and observant friend to Utterson.
Poole
Poole has served Jekyll loyally for over twenty years, witnessing the doctor’s transformation and growing increasingly concerned for his employer’s safety.
Sir Danvers Carew
Sir Danvers is a respected public figure, notable only for his reputation and untimely death at Hyde’s hands.
Character Arcs
| Character Name | Initial State | Key Transformation | Final State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | Respected, conflicted scientist | Creates and becomes addicted to Hyde | Overwhelmed by Hyde, commits suicide |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | Unleashed evil, unchecked desires | Grows stronger as Jekyll weakens | Disappears with Jekyll’s death |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | Rational, uninvolved observer | Becomes emotionally invested, investigates deeply | Remains rational, witnesses Jekyll’s tragic end |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Skeptical, healthy | Experiences trauma after witnessing transformation | Dies from shock and horror |
| Mr. Richard Enfield | Detached, observer | Shares suspicions with Utterson | Remains largely unchanged, minor character |
| Poole | Obedient servant | Grows courageous, acts to save Jekyll | Remains loyal but traumatized |
| Sir Danvers Carew | Innocent bystander | Victim of Hyde’s violence | Death galvanizes the investigation |
Relationships
| Character 1 | Character 2 | Nature of Relationship | Dynamics and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jekyll | Mr. Hyde | Creator and creation, dual aspects of self | Jekyll loses control over Hyde |
| Dr. Jekyll | Mr. Utterson | Friends, lawyer-client | Utterson tries to protect Jekyll |
| Dr. Jekyll | Dr. Lanyon | Old friends, professional peers | Rift over Jekyll’s experiments |
| Dr. Jekyll | Poole | Master and servant | Poole’s loyalty is tested |
| Mr. Hyde | Sir Danvers Carew | Perpetrator and victim | Hyde’s violence escalates conflict |
| Mr. Utterson | Mr. Enfield | Friends, confidants | Enfield’s story prompts Utterson’s inquiry |
| Mr. Utterson | Poole | Allies in investigation | Collaborate to uncover the truth |
| Dr. Lanyon | Mr. Utterson | Friends | Lanyon confides his shock to Utterson |
In-Depth Analysis of Major Characters
Dr. Henry Jekyll
Character Traits
Jekyll is intelligent, respected, and generous. His scientific curiosity, however, is tinged with hubris. He seeks acceptance from society but secretly struggles with darker impulses. Jekyll is also deeply conflicted, embodying the Victorian struggle between outward respectability and inner desires.
Character Background
Born into affluence, Jekyll achieves great professional success. His dual nature torments him, leading to experiments designed to separate his good and evil sides. His background as a scientist and philanthropist makes his downfall all the more tragic.
Character Arc
Jekyll begins as an esteemed member of society, confident in his scientific pursuits. As the story progresses, his initial control over Hyde wanes. Hyde’s violent actions and increasing dominance push Jekyll towards despair. Ultimately, Jekyll’s inability to reconcile his dual nature results in his self-destruction.
Relationships
Jekyll values his friendships, especially with Utterson and Lanyon. However, his secretive nature strains these bonds. His relationship with Hyde is complex, as he is both creator and victim of his darker self.
Mr. Edward Hyde
Character Traits
Hyde is pure id—unrestrained, violent, and selfish. He lacks empathy and conscience, acting on impulse without regard for morality or law. His appearance repulses others, symbolizing his inner depravity.
Character Background
Hyde is not a naturally born character but a manifestation of Jekyll’s repressed evil. He emerges through Jekyll’s experiments and grows stronger as Jekyll indulges his darker urges.
Character Arc
Hyde begins as a controlled outlet for Jekyll’s forbidden desires. As Jekyll’s dependence grows, Hyde becomes more autonomous and violent, culminating in murder. Hyde’s existence is tied to Jekyll’s, and both perish together.
Relationships
Hyde’s sole meaningful relationship is with Jekyll, whose body he shares. He is feared and loathed by all who encounter him, including Poole and Utterson, and becomes infamous after the murder of Sir Danvers Carew.
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson
Character Traits
Utterson is rational, methodical, and loyal. He acts as the story’s moral center, guided by reason and a sense of justice. Though emotionally reserved, he cares deeply for his friends.
Character Background
Utterson is a well-established lawyer, prominent in London society. He often serves as a confidant and advisor to Jekyll.
Character Arc
Utterson begins as a detached observer but becomes actively involved as the mystery deepens. His persistence uncovers Jekyll’s secret, but he is ultimately powerless to prevent tragedy.
Relationships
Utterson is a steadfast friend to Jekyll and maintains a professional camaraderie with Lanyon and Enfield. His concern and loyalty shape his actions throughout the narrative.
Dr. Hastie Lanyon
Character Traits
Lanyon is rational, practical, and traditional. He values scientific orthodoxy and is skeptical of Jekyll’s unconventional ideas.
Character Background
Lanyon is a respected physician with a shared past with Jekyll. Their friendship falters due to Jekyll’s unorthodox research.
Character Arc
Lanyon’s skepticism is challenged when he witnesses Hyde’s transformation. The trauma shatters his worldview, leading to his rapid decline and death.
Relationships
Lanyon’s relationship with Jekyll is pivotal; their estrangement and Lanyon’s eventual knowledge of the truth are central to the plot. He confides in Utterson, reinforcing the story’s rational perspective.
Mr. Richard Enfield
Character Traits
Enfield is observant, discreet, and sociable. He values privacy and is reluctant to speak ill of others.
Character Background
Though little is revealed about Enfield’s personal life, he serves as Utterson’s companion and the source of the initial story about Hyde.
Character Arc
Enfield’s role is static; he provides exposition and catalyzes Utterson’s investigation but remains unchanged throughout.
Relationships
Enfield’s relationship with Utterson is one of mutual respect and companionship. His observations set the plot in motion.
Poole
Character Traits
Poole is loyal, perceptive, and brave. He is deeply concerned for his master and willing to defy social norms to seek help.
Character Background
Poole is a long-serving butler in Jekyll’s household. His loyalty and familiarity with Jekyll make him a credible witness to the doctor’s decline.
Character Arc
Poole transitions from obedient servant to active investigator, ultimately helping Utterson uncover the truth. His courage is instrumental in the story’s climax.
Relationships
Poole’s primary loyalty is to Jekyll. His alliance with Utterson underscores the gravity of Jekyll’s situation.
Sir Danvers Carew
Character Traits
Carew is courteous, gentle, and dignified. He represents innocence and societal respectability.
Character Background
Little is known about Carew beyond his public role. His murder is significant for its brutality and randomness.
Character Arc
Carew’s role is brief; his death marks a turning point, escalating the search for Hyde and intensifying the story’s tension.
Relationships
Carew is a victim of Hyde’s violence, representing the collateral damage of Jekyll’s experiments.
Themes Explored Through Characters
| Theme | Character(s) | How Theme is Illustrated |
|---|---|---|
| Duality of Human Nature | Jekyll/Hyde | Jekyll’s struggle and transformation |
| Rationality vs. Emotion | Utterson, Lanyon, Jekyll | Rational inquiry meets supernatural horror |
| Good vs. Evil | Jekyll, Hyde | Internal moral struggle |
| Repression and Secrecy | Jekyll, Utterson | Concealing true nature and desires |
| Friendship and Loyalty | Utterson, Lanyon, Poole | Bonds tested by extraordinary circumstances |
| Social Respectability | Jekyll, Carew, Utterson | Appearance vs. reality in Victorian society |
Character Motivations
| Character Name | Primary Motivation | Resulting Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | To separate good and evil in himself | Creates Hyde, leads to downfall |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | To indulge in unchecked desires | Commits violence, murder |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | To protect friends, seek truth | Investigates, exposes the secret |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | To uphold scientific integrity | Rejects Jekyll, suffers trauma |
| Mr. Richard Enfield | To maintain discretion | Observes, informs Utterson |
| Poole | To protect Jekyll | Seeks Utterson’s help |
| Sir Danvers Carew | None (innocent victim) | Unwitting victim of Hyde’s violence |
Symbolism in Characters
| Character Name | Symbolic Representation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Jekyll | Victorian respectability, scientific ambition |
| Mr. Edward Hyde | Repressed evil, primal instincts |
| Mr. Gabriel John Utterson | Rationality, legal order |
| Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Scientific orthodoxy, moral certainty |
| Sir Danvers Carew | Innocence, societal values |
Conclusion
The characters in "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" are meticulously crafted to explore the novel’s central themes. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two sides of the same coin, embodying the eternal conflict between good and evil within the human soul. Utterson, Lanyon, and others serve as lenses through which readers witness Jekyll’s tragic downfall, each representing different facets of Victorian society. The relationships and arcs of these characters not only drive the narrative but also deepen the moral and psychological complexity of Stevenson’s enduring classic.