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There are a lot of secrets in the novel
The whole plot of Jekyll and Hyde revolves around Jekyll's secret alter ego, but other characters also have secrets:
. Utterson has done "many ill things" in his past, but he doesn't say what these are - This makes his actions appear shameful, even though his past is "fairly blameless"
. It's never explained where Enfield was returning from at three o'clock in the morning - This makes the reader more likely to assume that he was somewhere scandalous
. The narrative also has gaps in it to make the reader more suspicious of things that are left unspoken or unexplained
Many things are left unsaid
. The gentlemen characters often decide not to speak about unpleasant things so they can pretend they're not happening, E.g Utterson and Enfield agree never to talk about Hyde again
. They also downplay shocking events, E.g Enfield describes the trampled girl as "a bad story", and when Lanyon says he regards Jekyll as dead, Utterson's only reply is "Tut-tut" - This understatement shows that the gentlemen are determined to pretend that everything is normal
. Both Lanyon and Jekyll choose to write narratives about their experiences, rather than speak about them - These letter are left unread until the end of the novel, which adds to the secrecy and suspense
. There are many closed doors and windows in the novel:
- The back door to Jekyll's house has "neither bell nor knocker" and it's associated with Hyde
- Jekyll slams the window shut on Utterson and Enfield, and later locks himself in the cabinet
- Important items, like letters and Jekyll's ingredients, are kept securely locked in drawers and safes
. These closed doors and windows represent people's desire to hide their secrets, so smashing the cabinet door is a symbolic moment - It represents the breakdown of Jekyll's walls of secrecy
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