A respectable doctor drinks a potion and unleashes the monster he buried inside himself.
Who drives the story
A reserved, upright London lawyer and Jekyll's old friend, who digs into the mystery despite his own rule of not asking questions. He survives to read the truth he spent the book dreading.
A wealthy, fifty-year-old doctor with a slyish cast, desperate to separate the vices his reputation forbids. His experiment works — and then his evil half stops needing permission.
Jekyll's transformed self: small, deformed, 'pure evil', and free of guilt. He tramples a girl, murders an MP, and finally outlives his maker.
Utterson's cousin, a well-known 'man about town', who witnessed Hyde trample the girl and tells the story of the door. He believes in not asking questions on Queer Street.
An old friend who scoffed at Jekyll's 'unscientific balderdash' — until Hyde transformed before his eyes. The shock kills him within a fortnight.
An aged, kindly MP, beaten to death by Hyde with Jekyll's cane. His murder turns a private shame into a manhunt.
Also in the story
Jekyll's faithful butler, who hears his master's voice change and fears murder. He fetches the axe that breaks the mystery open.
Utterson's head clerk, whose sharp eye for handwriting proves Jekyll forged Hyde's letter. His discovery costs Utterson his last comfortable assumption.
How they are connected
Gabriel John UttersonDr Henry Jekyll
A reserved, upright London lawyer and Jekyll's old friend, who digs into the mystery despite his own rule of not asking questions.
Jekyll's transformed self: small, deformed, 'pure evil', and free of guilt.
Richard EnfieldGabriel John Utterson
Utterson's cousin, a well-known 'man about town', who witnessed Hyde trample the girl and tells the story of the door.
Utterson's cousin, a well-known 'man about town', who witnessed Hyde trample the girl and tells the story of the door.
Dr Hastie LanyonDr Henry Jekyll
An old friend who scoffed at Jekyll's 'unscientific balderdash' — until Hyde transformed before his eyes.
Dr Hastie LanyonMr Edward Hyde
An old friend who scoffed at Jekyll's 'unscientific balderdash' — until Hyde transformed before his eyes.
Jekyll's faithful butler, who hears his master's voice change and fears murder.
Sir Danvers CarewDr Henry Jekyll
An aged, kindly MP, beaten to death by Hyde with Jekyll's cane.
Sir Danvers CarewMr Edward Hyde
An aged, kindly MP, beaten to death by Hyde with Jekyll's cane.
Utterson's head clerk, whose sharp eye for handwriting proves Jekyll forged Hyde's letter.
Utterson's head clerk, whose sharp eye for handwriting proves Jekyll forged Hyde's letter.
Utterson's head clerk, whose sharp eye for handwriting proves Jekyll forged Hyde's letter.
Go deeper
The duality of human nature · Respectability as a prison · Addiction and loss of control · Knowledge that destroys
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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