Chapter 4: The Carew Murder Case

Characters and Characterisation in Chapter 4

Dr. Jekyll: appears less in this chapter, but his strange behaviour and relationship with Hyde become key factors in the plot.
Mr. Hyde: His brutality is displayed as he commits a high-profile murder.
Mr. Utterson: continues his investigation into the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde, showcasing his determination and loyalty.

Stevenson’s description of the foggy London enhances the sinister and mysterious atmosphere associated with Hyde’s murder.
The city is depicted as both a place of wealth and prosperity, and a hotspot of crime and immorality, mirroring the dual nature of Dr. Jekyll.

Deception: Jekyll’s character is constantly linked with hypocrisy and deception, most clearly manifesting through his transformation to Hyde.
The Duality of Human Nature: It’s increasingly apparent that Jekyll and Hyde are two halves of the same person, visualising the conflict between the good and evil sides of human nature.
Violence and Repression: These darker aspects of human nature are embodied by Hyde, whose violent act shocks the high society of London.

Murder of Sir Danvers Carew: Hyde’s violent tendencies escalate, leading to Carew’s murder and an intensive manhunt for Hyde.
Discovery of the Connection Between Hyde and Jekyll: The murder weapon, a part of Jekyll’s walking cane, cements the link between the two, escalating the mystery and tension.

The fog in London is a recurring motif symbolising confusion and the unclear boundary between good and evil.
The broken cane: The breakage suggests the violent act but also the ruptured relationship between Jekyll as a figure of respect and Hyde as a figure of contempt.

“…and then all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger, stamping with his foot, brandishing the cane, and carrying on (as the maid described it) like a madman.” This descriptive quote vividly portrays the terrifying and uncontrollable nature of Hyde’s personification of pure evil.
“The stick with which the deed had been done, although it was of some rare and very tough and heavy wood, had broken in the middle under the stress of this insensate cruelty; and one splintered half had rolled in the neighbouring gutter - the other, without doubt, had been carried away by the murderer.” This quote illustrates Hyde’s brutality and enhances the mystery surrounding his connection to Jekyll.