Incident at the Window

1. Incident at the Window The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde

2. Chapter Summary Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield where on their usual Sunday walk together when they come across the door on the By Street. It turns out that the door was a back entrance to Dr Jekyll’s house. Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield decide to pay him a visit and enter into the courtyard. As they study the windows, they see Dr Jekyll sitting at an open one, getting some air. They ask Dr Jekyll to come outside for a walk with them and to get some air, but he declines saying, “I dare not”. Dr Jekyll seems pleased to see Mr Utterson. All three people, Mr Utterson, Mr Enfield and Dr Jekyll all decide that it would be easier for them to stay where they are, (Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield outside and Dr Jekyll inside). The doctor replies with a smile before his face suddenly changes to one of terror and despair and made Mr Utterson’s and Mr Enfield’s blood freeze. The window was abruptly slammed shut and Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield walked away in silence.

3. Characterisation of Dr Jekyll In this chapter, Dr Jekyll seems to be slightly better, but at the same time depressed, “I am very low…very low.” P32 When asked to come out for a walk, he declines saying, “I should like to very much…I dare not.” This tells us that although he would like to go for a walk he is unable to. “I dare not.”, tells the reader that he may have been threatened about what he can and can’t do. Maybe Dr Jekyll is unable to trust himself to go outside. The smile on Dr Jekyll’s face was abruptly replaced with terror and despair. This maybe due to the thought of having to talk to the lawyer as they had a fall out not that long ago. The window is slammed shut and he quickly, without warning, disappears.

4. Characterisation of Mr Utterson Mr Utterson is on his weekly Sunday walk and at the sight of the door they begin a conversation on Mr Hyde. When Mr Enfield says, “We shall never see more of Mr Hyde.”, and Mr Utterson replies, “I hope not.”. This tells us that Mr Utterson is also mystified by Mr Hyde and wants no more to do with him. Utterson continues stating, “once I saw him…shared your feeling of repulsion.” Pg32. This tells the reader that Mr Utterson was filled with disgust when he saw Mr Hyde, a view that he shared with mr Enfield. We discover that he is worried about Dr Jekyll and he believes that it will do him good to have a friend near, even if not in the house, “uneasy about poor Jekyll; and even outside, I feel as if the presence of a friend might do him good.” Pg32. This shows the reader a kind and sharing side to Mr Utterson.

5. Characterisation of Mr Utterson - Contd Mr Utterson appears shocked at the sight of Jekyll and tries to persuade him to leave the house for a walk. This reinforces his caring side as it shows he is thinking about what is best for his friend. Mr Utterson freezes, “as froze the very blood of the two gentlmen below.”, as Jekyll’s face dramatically changes and the window is slammed shut. As they left the courtyard in silence this can indicate that My Utterson was worried about the way that Dr Jekyll had acted, “an answering horro in their eyes.” Pg33.

6. Characterisation of Mr Enfield Mr Enfield and Mr Utterson go for their usual walk. He reiterates his dislike for Mr Hyde. We find out that Mr Enfield is Mr Utterson’s cousin. He isn’t a main character and doesn’t do or say much in this chapter.

7. Analysis of Themes • Friendship • Even after their fall out (Mr Utterson and Dr Jekyll), Mr Utterson still appears to care about Dr Jekyll and his well being, “You stay too much indoors.”. The doctor feels the same, “I am very glad to see you.” Pg32. • Depression • We find that Dr Jekyll is slightly depressed, “I am very low, Utterson…very low.” Dr jekyll also seems down when offered to come outside for a walk, “it is quite impossible.” • Mystery • We discover that Utterson and Enfield are glad that they will see no more of Hyde, “We shall never see more of Mr Hyde.”. As the chapter progresses Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield don’t seem to know what is happening with Dr Jekyll.

8. Analysis of Narrative Structure Begins with third person, bringing the reader back to the same scene at the start of the novella when Mr Utterson is having a conversation about the door while on one of their weekly walks. This chapter is given from the point of view that someone os watching them as each thing that is said is quoted from the person who is watching.

9. Identification and Analysis of Symbolism • The By Street • At the start of the novella, we hear about Mr Hyde’s incident when Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield go down the By Street and see the door. • The By Street is symbolic of the beginning of the story as when we are introduced to Mr Hyde. • The By Street and the door is always referred back to throughout the novella