Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Jekyll's Urgent Letter

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Questions and Answers

Henry Jekyll instructed his colleague to admit a man into his house at noon.

False (B)

The contents of the drawer taken from Jekyll's cabinet included a blood-red liquor.

True (A)

Dr. Jekyll expressed confidence that his request would not be trifled with.

True (A)

The man who arrived at Jekyll's house was known to the narrator prior to this event.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The series of dates in Jekyll's notebook ceased approximately two years before the events described.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The visitor displayed impatience when discussing a matter of importance with Dr. Lanyon.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Lanyon felt a sense of joy upon seeing the visitor's strange clothing.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mixture that the visitor prepared changed from a reddish hue to a dark purple and then to a watery green.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The visitor offered Dr. Lanyon a choice that would enrich him both financially and intellectually.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Lanyon was completely composed when the visitor drank from the glass.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Henry Jekyll requested Lanyon to delay all other engagements for an important matter.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Lanyon had been in constant correspondence with Jekyll prior to receiving the registered letter.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The letter from Jekyll to Lanyon mentioned specific items to retrieve from the drawer.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jekyll expressed a desire for Lanyon to break into his cabinet at any time of day.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The letter was dated 10th January.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Morbid fear

A strong fear or worry that something bad will happen.

Extreme distress of wind

A sudden and strong feeling of anxiety.

Glazed Press

A locked cabinet containing important items that need to be accessed quickly.

My life, my honour, my reason, are all at your mercy

Something that is urgent and needs immediate attention.

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Postpone all other engagements

To delay or postpone an event or activity.

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Disgustful Curiosity

A feeling of intense curiosity, often driven by a mixture of fascination and disgust.

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The Protagonist's Initial Impression of Mr. Hyde

The protagonist's initial reaction to Mr. Hyde, marked by an unsettling mixture of intrigue and aversion.

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Mr. Hyde's Odd Appearance

The protagonist's perception of Mr. Hyde's appearance as incongruous and unsettling, further heightening his sense of mystery and intrigue.

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The Protagonist's Decision to Help

The protagonist's willingness to engage with Mr. Hyde's strange request, driven by curiosity and a sense of duty to help those in need.

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The Transformation of The Potion

The potion's transformative effect, changing in color and releasing vapors, creating a sense of anticipation and suspense.

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Jekyll's Letter to Lanyon

Lanyon receives a letter from Jekyll asking him to perform a specific task. There's a sense of urgent need and secrecy involved, hinting at a potential risk.

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Lanyon's response to Jekyll's request

Lanyon, initially believing Jekyll is insane, follows through with his request because of the letter's tone and the potential consequences of ignoring it. He demonstrates a sense of responsibility and loyalty.

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What Lanyon retrieves from Jekyll's cabinet

Lanyon goes to Jekyll's house, breaks into his cabinet, and retrieves a drawer containing a phial of red liquid, a paper of white powder and a notebook with a series of dates and notes. This points to Jekyll’s unknown experiments.

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Lanyon's physical response to the visitor

Lanyon experiences a physical reaction in the presence of Jekyll's visitor, even before seeing him. This signals a potential toxicity or other effect associated with the stranger.

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Description of the visitor

Lanyon finds Jekyll's visitor small, muscular, and with an unsettling expression. He appears frail yet powerful, creating a sense of contradiction. This further emphasizes a sense of mystery and fear surrounding him.

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Study Notes

Letter from Henry Jekyll to Utterson

  • Jekyll writes to his friend Lanyon, detailing a critical situation, urgently requesting his assistance.
  • Jekyll describes an urgent need to retrieve a drawer from his cabinet containing crucial experimental materials (powders, a phial, and a notebook).
  • He requires Lanyon to open the door at midnight to a specific person coming on his behalf.
  • The failure of one step could jeopardize his life and reason.
  • Jekyll expresses great distress and the threat of loss of self-control if his request is not carried out.
  • He also includes a postscript detailing potential delays caused by his concern that the letter may be delayed.

Lanyon's Account of Jekyll's Case

  • Lanyon receives the letter and, despite initial skepticism, fulfills Jekyll's demands.
  • Lanyon describes the retrieved items: powders (likely chemically compounded by Jekyll), a blood-red liquid (potentially containing phosphorus and volatile ether), and a notebook documenting a series of experiments.
  • The experiments have stopped significantly in their chronological sequence, approximately a year ago, along with brief notes, including "double" appearing repeatedly within the entries.
  • Lanyon's observations suggest Jekyll's mental instability, but he feels a professional obligation to comply.

Jekyll's Full Statement

  • Jekyll details his descent into duality.
  • Jekyll meticulously lays out the scientific process and rationalization for his drug-induced transformations from Jekyll to Hyde.
  • Jekyll describes the effects of the drug, both physically and mentally, with a clear dichotomy between his "good" and "evil" selves.
  • Jekyll explains the development of his "evil" self (Mr. Hyde).
  • Jekyll describes his attempts to control his transformations and his increasing dread of the consequences.
  • Jekyll describes his moral failures and the growing power of Hyde, ultimately leading to the murder of Sir Carew.
  • Jekyll ends his confession with his final descent into becoming Hyde, detailing the fear and horror that accompanies the transformation.

Hyde's Actions and Motivation

  • Hyde's actions are described as monstrous and self-serving.
  • Hyde's actions reveal a desire for the pursuit of evil as a means to satisfy base urges.
  • Hyde expresses indifference towards Jekyll at all times in their interactions.
  • Lanyon witnesses the transformation of Jekyll to Hyde and back.
  • Lanyon’s description of Jekyll and Hyde emphasizes their distinct physical and psychological characteristics.

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