Structure and Plot Development

The novel is divided into 10 chapters, with the plot unfolding in stages.

Plot Structure

Exposition – Chapter 1

• Introduces the narrator, Mr Utterson.
• Mr Enfield tells Utterson about Mr Hyde, who trampled a young girl.

Rising Action – Chapters 2-7

• Utterson becomes suspicious and tries to persuade Jekyll to change his will.
• Dr Lanyon disapproves of Jekyll's experiments and distances himself from him.
• Tension builds when Hyde murders Sir Danvers Carew.
• Dr Lanyon falls ill and dies, leaving Utterson a letter with instructions to only open it if Jekyll disappears or dies.
• Jekyll begins to isolate himself, refusing visitors.

Climax – Chapter 8

• The most intense moment of the story.
• Poole and Utterson break down Jekyll's laboratory door.
• They find Hyde's dead body – he has committed suicide.
• A letter addressed to Utterson is discovered.

Falling Action – Chapter 9

• Focuses on Dr Lanyon's letter.
• The letter reveals that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person.

Denouement – Chapter 10

• The story concludes as Utterson reads Jekyll's confession.
• Jekyll's letter explains how he transformed into Hyde.