MY DEAR UTTERSON,—When this shall fall into your hands, I shall have disappeared, under what circumstances I have not the penetration to foresee, but my instinct and all the circumstances of my nameless situation tell me that the end is sure and must be early. Go then, and first read the narrative which Lanyon warned me he was to place in your hands; and if you care to hear more, turn to the confession of Your unworthy and unhappy friend, HENRY JEKYLL. The last time we saw Dr Jekyll was at the window where we saw his face transform into something else. What do you think is going to happen in this next chapter- The Last Night?

The Last Night L.O: To understand the significance of Chapter 8. To appreciate how Stevenson creates drama for a Victorian audience. It’s been a while since we have looked at the book, what’s happened so far?

The Last Night Nomination Reading. Rules: You may read from 3 sentences up to one page. You cannot nominate people who have already read.

Understanding Plot- fill in the gaps One evening Utterson is visited by Poole who tells Utterson that he thinks there has been some “________” regarding Dr Jekyll. Utterson goes with Poole to Jekyll’s house and finds all the servants cowering in the _______. Poole and Utterson go quietly through the laboratory to the “cabinet” or small room where they knock. A _________ voice says that he cannot see anyone. Poole then tells him that he thinks Jekyll was “______________________” eight days before, and that the strange voice has spent much time demanding drugs, the orders for which are written on pieces of paper and pushed under the door. Utterson reads one of these notes, and thinks that Jekyll is _______. Poole tells him he caught a glimpse of the “thing” and saw it was much __________ than Jekyll. Utterson decides to break the door down and sends two servants around the back to stop Hyde escaping. Utterson says to the creature in the laboratory that he will break the door down if Jekyll does not open it, to which a strange voice says “___________________” When they break down the door, they find Hyde is _____ in Jekyll’s large clothes and has just ________ himself by drinking poison. They find no sign of _________. On the business table, they find a will the same as the one that Jekyll wrote for Hyde except that ________ name has replaced Hyde’s, and they find a note that asks Utterson to read ________ account and another letter, which is the “____________” of Henry Jekyll. Lanyon’s Foul Play strange dressed Jekyll Confession Utterson’s Killed “Have Mercy!” Hallway Made away with ill Smaller

One evening Utterson is visited by Poole who tells Utterson that he thinks there has been some “foul-play” regarding Dr Jekyll. Utterson goes with Poole to Jekyll’s house and finds all the servants cowering in the hallway. Poole and Utterson go quietly through the laboratory to the “cabinet” or small room where they knock. A strange voice says that he cannot see anyone. Poole then tells him that he thinks Jekyll was “made away with” eight days before, and that the strange voice has spent much time demanding drugs, the orders for which are written on pieces of paper and pushed under the door. Utterson reads one of these notes, and thinks that Jekyll is ill. Poole tells him he caught a glimpse of the “thing” and saw it was much smaller than Jekyll. Utterson decides to break the door down and sends two servants around the back to stop Hyde escaping. Utterson says to the creature in the laboratory that he will break the door down if Jekyll does not open it, to which a strange voice says “have mercy!_” When they break down the door, they find Hyde is dressed in Jekyll’s large clothes and has just killed himself by drinking poison. They find no sign of Jekyll. On the business table, they find a will the same as the one that Jekyll wrote for Hyde except that Utterson’s name has replaced Hyde’s, and they find a note that asks Utterson to read Lanyon’s account and another letter, which is the “Confession” of Henry Jekyll.

Understanding ‘The Last Night’ Tricky: What has Poole had to do for his master in the last few weeks? Why does Poole call him ‘it’? Trickier: How and why does Stevenson use pathetic fallacy in this chapter? Trickiest: How Successful is Stevenson at creating horror?

Important points Poole is used to develop the plot at the point. Personification is used to emphasise the power of the wind, suggesting a supernatural force is at work creating a sinister atmosphere. Utterson remains completely at a loss as to what has happened. He offers wild explanations. Poole is much more accurate in his assessment of the identity of the man in the room. Familiar points arise again: the animalistic description of Hyde, the horror he evokes and the ‘dual’ nature of Jekyll’s residence. Utterson is now in possession of Lanyon and Jekyll’s account of events- the key to unravelling the mystery.