Search for Mr Hyde

Summary The chapter begins with Mr Utterson returning home in “sombre spirits” and having dinner. It then goes on to describe how Mr Utterson would usually spend his Sunday evening, reading by the fire until 12 o'clock. However, this time Mr Utterson goes up to his “business room”, where he opens a safe and takes out of “the most private part of it a document endorsed on the envelope as Dr Jekyll's will.” (p11)

Mr Utterson is worried about Dr Jekyll as he reads the will, which explains: “In case of the decease of Henry Jekyll, M.D., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S.,* &c., all his possessions were to pass into the hands ofhis 'friend and benefactor Edward Hyde,' but that in the case of Dr Jekyll's 'disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months,' the said Edward Hyde should step into the said Henry Jekyll's shoes without further delay and free from any burden or obligation, beyond the payment of a few small sums to the members of the doctor's household.” (p11) Having read this, Mr Utterson decides to meet Dr Lanyon and get his opinion in the matter.

When Mr Utterson meets Dr Lanyon, Lanyon tells him that he has never met, nor heard of anyone by the name of Mr Hyde. Mr Utterson decides to look for Mr Hyde, “'If he be Mr Hyde,' he had thought, 'I shall be Mr Seek.' (p14) Mr Utterson stalks the door until Mr Hyde finally appears. When Mr Hyde does appear, Mr Utterson approaches him and engages him in conversation. He asks Mr Hyde to show his face, Mr Hyde obliges after a little hesitation. After his confrontation with Mr Hyde, Mr Utterson goes to Dr Jekyll's house to talk to him, but Dr Jekyll is out so he questions Dr Jekyll's butler, Poole, about Mr Hyde. Mr Utterson learns that Dr Jekyll has given Mr Hyde full rein of his house and also told his servants to obey him. Mr Utterson then returns home to contemplate what he has learned.

Characterisation – Mr Utterson Mr Utterson is a Lawyer and a friend of Dr Jekyll So far, Mr Utterson has been a very important character in the novella, as he is the one trying to figure out what is happening with Dr Jekyll, and who Mr Hyde is. We also find out that Mr Utterson is quite well known as a lawyer, and a friend or Dr Jekyll's by his work staff. “'Is Dr Jekyll at home, Poole?'... 'I will see, Mr Utterson'” (p16) showing us that the servant knows him well enough not to have to ask his name. We also find out that he is not a shy character, nor is he afraid to approach or speak to people. “Mr Utterson stepped out and touched him on the shoulder as he passed. 'Mr Hyde, I think?'

Dr Lanyon Dr Lanyon is a mutual friend of Dr Jekyll and Mr Utterson, “'I suppose, Lanyon,' said he, ' you and I must be the two oldest friends that Henry Jekyll has?'” (p12) Dr Lanyon is an honest and loyal man and also a medical doctor. This is the first time in the novella that we see Dr Lanyon. After his talk with Mr Utterson he assures him that he has never heard of Mr Hyde

Mr Hyde Mr Hyde is a mysterious character He is an associate of Dr Jekyll and Mr Utterson believes that their association will do more harm than good. Mr Hyde looks like he has a disposition but neither Mr Utterson or Mr Enfield could guess what the disposition may be. There is not much known about Mr Hyde at this point in the Novella

Theme The main theme for this chapter, as the title suggests is Mr Utterson's search for Mr Hyde. However, it is not just about looking for Mr Hyde but also to find out more about him, as at this point in the novella he is a mysterious character that nobody knows much about. Mr Utterson has a couple of reasons to search for Mr Hyde: firstly, he wants to meet him for himself rather than judge him from other peoples rumours and also because he is curious about what sort of association he has with his friend Dr Jekyll.

Narrative Structure/Technique The chapter seems to have been told as if it was past tense and that someone is watchin his every move, and it is told in third person. “That evening, Mr Utterson came home.” (p11) This shows that even though they are talking about Mr Utterson, he cannot be the one telling the story. Another point which emphasises the fact that it is being told in the past tense and as a story to someone, is that there are still quotes and conversations within it: “'I see you are going in,' said the lawyer.” there are quotes shown by inverted commas within the text.