Chapters 7-10 Analysis

Chapter 7: Incident at the Window

Summary: What Happens?

• Utterson and Enfield take their usual Sunday walk and stop outside Jekyll's house.
• They see Jekyll at the window, looking pale and sickly.
• They speak briefly, but suddenly Jekyll's face is overcome with terror before he slams the window shut.
• Utterson and Enfield leave in shock, realising something is terribly wrong.

Key Themes

• Isolation and Secrecy – Jekyll remains trapped inside, hiding his true self.
• Horror and Fear – Jekyll's sudden transformation suggests Hyde is taking over.
• Friendship and Concern – Utterson is deeply worried for Jekyll but remains powerless.

Key Quote

"The smile was struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abject terror and despair." – Narrator

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Chapter 8: The Last Night

Summary: What Happens?

• Poole, Jekyll's servant, begs Utterson for help, saying Jekyll has locked himself in his laboratory.
• Inside, a strange voice begs for chemicals but refuses to let anyone in.
• Poole insists the person inside is not Dr Jekyll.
• Utterson and Poole break down the door and find Hyde's dead body, wearing Jekyll's clothes.
• They also find a letter and a new will, leaving everything to Utterson.

Key Themes

• Suspense and Horror – The mystery surrounding Jekyll builds to a climax.
• Science and Experimentation – Jekyll's need for chemicals suggests his transformation was out of control.
• Friendship and Loyalty – Poole and Utterson risk everything to help Jekyll.

Key Quote

"This is beyond me, Poole, my mind is clouded with doubt." – Utterson

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Chapter 9: Dr Lanyon's Narrative

Summary: What Happens?

• Utterson reads Lanyon's letter, revealing the truth.
• Lanyon had received a letter from Jekyll begging for his help.
• Following Jekyll's instructions, Lanyon collected a mysterious drawer of chemicals.
• That night, Hyde arrived, drank a potion, and transformed into Jekyll before Lanyon's eyes.
• The horrific experience caused Lanyon's rapid decline and eventual death.

Key Themes

• Science and the Supernatural – Jekyll's experiment defies natural laws.
• The Duality of Man – The transformation proves Jekyll and Hyde are one.
• The Limits of Rationality – Lanyon's scientific beliefs are shattered.

Key Quote

"The deadliest terror sits by me at all hours of the day and night." – Lanyon

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Chapter 10: Henry Jekyll's Full Statement of the Case

Summary: What Happens?

• Jekyll's final confession explains his motivations and downfall.
• He created Hyde as a way to indulge in evil without ruining his reputation.
• At first, Jekyll controlled his transformations, but over time, Hyde grew stronger.
• Eventually, Jekyll transformed into Hyde involuntarily, even without the potion.
• Running out of chemicals, Jekyll knew he could never return to normal.
• He took his own life before Hyde could be arrested.

Key Themes

• The Dangers of Unchecked Ambition – Jekyll's desire to separate good and evil leads to disaster.
• Loss of Control – Hyde eventually dominates Jekyll, proving that evil can overpower good.
• The Nature of Identity – Jekyll and Hyde are not separate; they are two sides of the same person.

Key Quote

"I bring the life of that unhappy Henry Jekyll to an end." – Jekyll

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Key Themes Across Chapters 7-10

1. The Horror of Transformation – Jekyll's inability to control Hyde leads to his downfall.
2. Science vs. Morality – Jekyll's experiments push the boundaries of ethics and nature.
3. The Limits of Reason – Lanyon, a man of science, is unable to cope with what he witnesses.
4. The Consequences of Secrecy – Jekyll's desire to hide his actions causes his own destruction.
5. Duality of Human Nature – The novel confirms that every person has both good and evil within them.

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Exam Tips

• Be able to identify key quotes and explain their significance.
• Understand how Stevenson builds suspense and horror in these chapters.
• Discuss Jekyll's motivations and his eventual downfall.
• Analyse how Lanyon's reaction contrasts with Jekyll's views on science.
• Consider how the novel's ending reinforces its central themes.
• Structure essay responses clearly with introduction, body, and conclusion.

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