The Strange Case of Dr. Kalluru and Mr. Vogel

Chapter 3: "To this rule...This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop" (pg. 12-13) (Keerti)

In this excerpt, Mr. Utterson talks to Dr. Jekyll for the first time in the book. Dr. Jekyll is characterized as a large, good-looking man of around 50 years of age. He is described as caring and kindhearted, especially towards his friend Mr. Utterson. When Utterson talks to Jekyll about the will, Jekyll brushes it off and seems to be very lighthearted about the topic. He tries to deviate from it by bringing up his thoughts about Dr. Lanyon and their disagreements. Utterson, however, is very serious about the matter. When Utterson questions Jekyll about Hyde, the panic is clearly visible on his face and he becomes cold and reserved in appearance - "The large, handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes". This shows Utterson that there is definitely something suspicious about the matter.

In comparison to Hyde, Dr. Jekyll keeps his respectful manner while talking to Utterson about the touchy subject of Hyde. He ensures that his speech remains sophisticated, keeping in line with general Victorian society mannerism.

Chapter 2: “Mr. Utterson stepped out and touched him on the shoulder...he had unlocked the door and disappeared into the house.” (pg. 9-10). (Chris)

In this excerpt, a clear physical description is not given of Hyde, but immediately after Mr. Hyde enters the house, Mr. Utterson describes him as, “...pale and dwarfish; he gave an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation, he had a displeasing smile, he had borne himself to the lawyer with a sort of murderous mixture of timidity and boldness…” (10). Thus, conversely to the description of Dr. Jekyll, who is described as good-looking and caring in his gaze, Hyde is quite the opposite. Mr. Hyde comes off as rude and insensitive to other characters. Mr. Utterson has the same reaction to seeing Hyde as many of the other citizens did when Mr. Hyde trampled the little girl, which is one of disgust without being able to place the source of disgust. While Dr. Jekyll proved himself in the above quote to be quite respectful when faced with sensitive topics, Mr. Hyde is immediately defensive and rude, such as when the text states, “‘He never told you,’ cried Mr. Hyde, with a flush of anger. ‘I did not think you would have lied.’” To which Mr. Utterson immediately responds by saying that Mr. Hyde is not using fitting language. Thus, Mr. Hyde clearly is not following conventional language for conversation, especially with a stranger. He is accusatory and curt, and also expresses this thought his actions when he then quickly rushes into his house and closes the door. Mr. Hyde appears to be the opposite of Dr. Jekyll in both appearance, manners, and actions. It is likely that Mr. Hyde expresses what Dr. Jekyll wishes he could do if he was not bound by the conventions of the Victorian era. Hyde is not only a manifestation of Dr. Jekyll’s desires, but is in some sense his impulses and internal monologue.

This is a poem written at the time when Mr. Utterson comes to visit Dr. Jekyll and sees him at the window. At this point, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are both struggling for control over the other, and thus this poem represents the conflicting external monologue of Dr. Jekyll and the internal monologue of Mr. Hyde. It demonstrates the concept of the duality of man and is meant to clearly show both sides of the dichotomy - appearance versus reality. The effect created by the poem is that of a back and forth battle between the two personalities, until at the end each one feels the other start to fight back. (Keerti and Chris)