Dr. Jekyll's Last Night Explained
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ScribdTranslationsDr. Jekyll's Last Night Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsThe Strange Case of Dr.
Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde
Chapter 8: The Last Night
In what month was the last night?
In the month of March
2. Why was Mr. Poole afraid?
Poole was afraid because Dr. Jekyll had been locked in the cabinet for weeks and did not want to.
that no one saw it.
3. What was the night like when Utterson and Poole visited the doctor? Describe it.
It was cold, typical of March, with a pale moon resting on the horizon and some clouds.
leaflets with the most diaphanous and cottony texture.
4. Who did Poole suspect of the supposed murder? Why?
I suspected that the murderer was Mr. Hyde since the person I saw entering was more or less of his
same height and his same quick and light strides. Not only this, but Hyde in his
the last murder still had the keys to the laboratory.
5. What is the illness that Utterson refers to and believes Jekyll is suffering from?
One of those diseases that at the same time tortures and disfigures the one who suffers from it;
there, the change of voice, the mask and avoiding his friends.
6. What caught Poole's attention when he saw Jekyll? How did he feel afterward?
this?
That he looked up, let out a kind of scream, and hurried up the stairs and
metió en el gabinete. Llevaba puesta una máscara y Poole no entendía eso ya que le había
served for a long time.
His hairs stood on end.
7. How did Poole realize that the man in the laboratory was not Jekyll?
Having served Dr. Jekyll for 20 years, Poole is able to recognize his master's voice,
Furthermore, he said that that man was too small to be his master.
8. What did the note that Dr. Jekyll left on his table say?
He says that by the time Utterson reads these lines, he will have disappeared and under the circumstances that
he was afraid that his death was imminent, Jekyll asks Utterson to read first the
sealed letter from Doctor Lanyon and if you still have questions, read the larger envelope
What does Jekyll's "confession" contain.
9. What things does Utterson find on Dr. Jekyll's table?
First, find a will that leaves all of Jekyll's material possessions to
Utterson finds another paper written by the doctor which says to read the letter he left.
Lanyon and an envelope larger than containing Dr. Jekyll's confession.
10. What does Utterson say to Mr. Poole before leaving?
Utterson tells Poole not to say anything about these documents, as there may still be a chance.
save the reputation of Doctor Jekyll.
Common questions
Powered by AIPoole concludes that the person in the laboratory is not Dr. Jekyll because he does not recognize the voice and the person is too small to be Jekyll, whom he served for 20 years and knows intimately . This reflects Poole's deep familiarity with Jekyll's character and emphasizes the significance of identity in the narrative, highlighting the physical and psychological split between Jekyll and his alter ego, Hyde.
Utterson’s methodical and discreet approach, highlighted by his decision to keep Jekyll’s documents confidential to potentially preserve his friend’s reputation, showcases his loyalty and adherence to social norms . This evaluation of Utterson's conduct reveals a character deeply committed to rationality and social propriety, reflecting Victorian ideals of friendship, duty, and the personal restraint expected of a gentleman even in the face of unsettling discoveries.
Utterson's response to Dr. Jekyll's disappearance, particularly his caution to Poole not to disclose anything about the documents to preserve Jekyll's reputation, underscores the Victorian era's emphasis on maintaining social propriety and respectability . This reaction illustrates how protecting one's social standing was often prioritized over revealing the truth, a recurring theme in Victorian literature, reflecting societal norms and pressures of the time.
The setting on the last night is described as typical of March, with a cold atmosphere, a pale moon resting on the horizon, and diaphanous, cottony clouds surrounding it. This setting creates a chilling, mysterious atmosphere that complements the themes of secrecy and mystery throughout the story . The cold and pale environment can be seen as a reflection of the eerie and tense mood brought on by Dr. Jekyll's secretive behavior and the ominous presence of Mr. Hyde.
The theme of disguise and concealment is developed through Hyde’s use of a mask and his evasion of the public eye, emphasizing his role as Jekyll’s hidden identity . Hyde’s elusive presence and the use of disguises symbolize the broader themes of secrecy and the dual nature of humanity, where darker desires are concealed beneath a respectable exterior. This aligns with Poole's descriptions of Hyde's stealth and deception, further building the narrative tension around the truth of Jekyll’s condition.
The transformation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde symbolizes the internal conflict and duality of human nature. Jekyll’s illness, which Utterson describes as disfiguring and masking one's true self, serves as a metaphor for this duality . Narrative techniques, such as the physical description of Hyde's smaller stature and change in voice, underscore the stark contrast between Jekyll’s respectable facade and Hyde’s darker impulses, illustrating the struggle between societal expectations and repressed desires.
Poole suspects Hyde of murder because of the similarities in height and gait between Hyde and the person he saw, along with Hyde’s possession of laboratory keys from a previous murder . This suspicion aligns with the story’s exploration of good versus evil by positioning Hyde as the embodiment of Jekyll’s suppressed immoral inclinations. The narrative uses this dichotomy to question the purity of human morality and the extent to which individuals can control their darker urges.
Jekyll’s letter, requesting Utterson to read Lanyon’s sealed letter and his confession if questions persist, along with his will leaving possessions to Utterson, foreshadow his awareness of an impending downfall and his attempt to control outcomes beyond death . These documents effectively build suspense by hinting at Jekyll's desperate circumstances and readiness for a tragic end, challenging readers to piece together the mystery of his transformation and moral dilemma.
Poole's emotional response, characterized by his fear when seeing Jekyll with a mask and his hair standing on end, signifies his deep-seated suspicion and recognition that something is terribly wrong . His reaction underscores the tension and horror of the situation, highlighting his realization that the severity of Jekyll's condition goes beyond physical illness and reflects the unnatural and sinister changes occurring within the household.
In Chapter 8, letters and documents are crucial devices for plot progression and revealing character intentions. The will and Jekyll's note left on the table provide essential clues about Jekyll's fate, his awareness of his imminent demise, and his instructions for Utterson . These documents serve as a narrative bridge that connects the present action to the deeper, hidden truths about Jekyll's experiments and his understanding of Hyde’s destructive nature, thus propelling the story towards its climax and resolution.