Chapter 5: The Incident of the Letter

Chapter 5: The Incident of the Letter

Characters and Characterisation in Chapter 5

• Dr Jekyll appears more than before, showing anxiety and fear.
• Mr Utterson takes on an investigator role, increasingly suspicious of Jekyll’s connection with Hyde.

Setting and Atmosphere in Chapter 5

• The majority of the chapter takes place within Jekyll’s laboratory, adding to the secrecy.
• An oppressive mood is established early on, with “fog rolled over the city” portraying a sense of impending doom.

Key Themes in Chapter 5

• Secrecy: The letter from Hyde to Jekyll, written within Jekyll’s own house, reinforces the theme of secrecy.
• Dual nature: The letter serves as physical proof of Jekyll’s split identity.

Significant Events in Chapter 5

• The discovery of Hyde’s letter to Dr Jekyll: This event leads Utterson to believe that Hyde is blackmailing Jekyll.
• Mr Poole’s fear about Hyde: His comments further depict Hyde as a figure to be feared.

Language and Symbolism in Chapter 5

• The letter serves a symbolism of Hyde’s control over Jekyll.
• The foggy weather symbolizes the blurred lines between good and evil, reflecting the struggle within Jekyll.

Key Quotes in Chapter 5

• “I am very low, Utterson…” represents Jekyll’s loss of hope.
• “This news of death…is perhaps less surprising than distressing.” exhibits Utterson’s intellect and his sense of justice.