English Literature - Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde - Theme: Secrecy

Front 1

There are a lot of secrets in the novel

Back 1

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

Front 2

Many things are left unsaid

Back 2

. 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

Front 3

Stevenson uses locked doors as symbols

Back 3

. 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