The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
A gothic novella that gave the language a metaphor for the divided self. Tightly plotted and short.
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Mr. Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary, and yet somehow lovable.Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeRead 11 hand-picked quotes from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, with meaning →4 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde memes, decoded →
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: study guide
Everything you need to follow The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: what happens, who it happens to, what it means, and the words worth learning along the way. The links at the top of the page jump straight to any part of it.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde summary
In Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, develops a potion that allows him to transform into Mr. Hyde, a personification of his darker impulses. As Hyde's actions become increasingly violent, Jekyll struggles to control his alter ego, leading to tragic consequences.
Setting: The novel is set in Victorian London during the late 19th century.
Show the full summary↓
Contains spoilers, including the ending.
The novel begins with Mr. Utterson, a lawyer, learning about an incident where a man named Mr. Hyde trampled a young girl. Utterson is concerned because his friend, Dr. Jekyll, has made Hyde the sole beneficiary of his will. Utterson meets Hyde and is disturbed by his evil demeanor.
As time passes, Hyde's violent behavior escalates, culminating in the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. Utterson confronts Jekyll, who assures him that he has cut off all ties with Hyde. However, Jekyll's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and he isolates himself from his friends.
Dr. Lanyon, another friend of Jekyll, receives a letter asking for his help. He witnesses Hyde transform back into Jekyll, which shocks him so much that he falls ill and eventually dies. Lanyon leaves behind a letter explaining the transformation he witnessed.
Utterson and Jekyll's servant, Poole, break into Jekyll's lab, fearing for his safety. They find Hyde dead, having taken his own life. Utterson reads Jekyll's confession, revealing that Jekyll created a potion to separate his good and evil sides, but lost control over his transformations.
Jekyll explains that he enjoyed being Hyde at first, but Hyde's evil nature grew stronger. Eventually, Jekyll could no longer control when he transformed, and he realized he would soon become Hyde permanently.
In his final moments, Jekyll chooses to end his life rather than live as Hyde. The novel ends with Utterson reflecting on the tragic events and the duality of human nature.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde characters
The main characters of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, who they are and what they do in the story.
Dr. Henry Jekyll
protagonistA respected scientist who creates a potion to separate his good and evil sides. He struggles with the consequences of his experiments as he loses control over his transformations into Mr. Hyde.
Mr. Edward Hyde
antagonistThe evil alter ego of Dr. Jekyll, created through a potion. Hyde embodies Jekyll's darker impulses and commits violent acts, causing chaos and fear.
Mr. Gabriel John Utterson
supportingA lawyer and friend of Dr. Jekyll. Utterson is determined to uncover the truth behind Jekyll's relationship with Hyde and is deeply concerned for his friend's well-being.
Dr. Hastie Lanyon
supportingA friend of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Utterson. Lanyon witnesses Hyde's transformation back into Jekyll, which leads to his shock and eventual death.
Mr. Richard Enfield
supportingA distant cousin of Mr. Utterson. He first tells Utterson about the incident involving Hyde and the young girl, sparking Utterson's investigation.
Poole
supportingDr. Jekyll's loyal servant. Poole becomes concerned about Jekyll's behavior and helps Utterson investigate the strange occurrences at Jekyll's home.
Themes in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The major themes of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and what each one means in the story.
Duality of Human Nature
The novel explores the idea that every person has both good and evil sides. Dr. Jekyll's experiments with separating these sides highlight the struggle between maintaining a respectable appearance and giving in to darker impulses.
Science and Ethics
Dr. Jekyll's scientific experiments raise questions about the ethical limits of scientific exploration. The novel examines the consequences of using science to alter human nature without considering the moral implications.
Reputation and Respectability
In Victorian society, maintaining a good reputation is crucial. The novel portrays the lengths to which individuals go to protect their social standing, even when hiding dark secrets.
The Nature of Evil
Through Mr. Hyde, the novel explores the concept of evil as an inherent part of human nature. Hyde's actions demonstrate how unchecked evil can lead to destruction and chaos.
Isolation and Friendship
Dr. Jekyll's experiments lead him to isolate himself from his friends, highlighting the importance of companionship. The novel shows how isolation can exacerbate personal struggles and lead to tragic outcomes.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde vocabulary
24 useful words from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, from easier to harder. Each has a simple meaning and an example sentence, so you learn words you can actually use, not just recognise. While you read here, tapping any word does the same thing.
- lawyernoun
a person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor
“She decided to become a lawyer after studying law.”
- smilenoun
a facial expression in which the corners of the mouth turn up, showing happiness or friendliness
“He greeted me with a warm smile.”
- friendnoun
a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
“She is my best friend and we share everything.”
- tastenoun
the sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance
“The soup had a rich, savory taste.”
- talknoun
a conversation or discussion
“We had a long talk about our future plans.”
- enjoyverb
to take pleasure in something
“I enjoy reading books in my free time.”
- wonderverb
to feel curious or in doubt about something
“I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow.”
- helpverb
to make it easier or possible for someone to do something by offering one's services or resources
“Can you help me with my homework?”
- changenoun
the act or instance of making or becoming different
“There was a change in the weather.”
- friendshipnoun
the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends
“Their friendship grew stronger over the years.”
- quietadjective
making little or no noise
“The library is a quiet place to study.”
- tradenoun
the action of buying and selling goods and services
“The trade between the two countries is flourishing.”
- hopeverb
to want something to happen or be the case
“I hope to visit Paris next year.”
- inviteverb
to make a polite, formal, or friendly request to someone to go somewhere or to do something
“I will invite them to my birthday party.”
- appearancenoun
the way that someone or something looks
“His appearance has changed a lot since high school.”
- remarkverb
to say something as a comment; to mention
“She remarked that it was a beautiful day.”
- storynoun
an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment
“He told us an interesting story about his travels.”
- figurenoun
a person seen indistinctly, especially at a distance
“I saw a figure standing in the shadows.”
- screamverb
to give a long, loud, piercing cry or cries expressing excitement, great emotion, or pain
“She screamed when she saw the spider.”
- resistancenoun
the refusal to accept or comply with something
“There was resistance to the new policy.”
- familynoun
a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household
“We have a big family gathering every year.”
- creditnoun
the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future
“He has a good credit score.”
- businessnoun
the practice of making one's living by engaging in commerce
“She started her own business last year.”
- problemnoun
a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome
“We need to solve this problem quickly.”
How readClassicly reads The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is book 5 of 12 in our free year-long classics reading plan. At our daily pace of 8 pages, the book takes around 2 weeks to finish.
You log pages as you go in a private dashboard. When you finish, a short quiz unlocks the next book in the sequence. No deadlines, no summaries pretending to be reading.
Don't want to follow the order? You don't have to. Members can start with any of the twelve books, and the plan just nudges you back to the recommended path if you fall behind.
Why we picked it
A short gothic novella that gave the language a phrase for the divided self. Pacy, tightly plotted, modern in its anxieties.
Suitable for 14+. Level B2, which means readers comfortable with upper-intermediate English will follow it without a dictionary; lower-intermediate readers can read with light support.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: reading level & FAQ
What reading level is The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?↓
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is rated B2 on the CEFR scale and is suitable for ages 14+. It is a good fit for readers building toward or reading comfortably at that level.
Can I read The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde online for free?↓
Yes. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is in the public domain and free to read online at readClassicly, with a reading tracker and a short quiz. No account is needed to read it.
What is The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde about?↓
In Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, develops a potion that allows him to transform into Mr. Hyde, a personification of his darker impulses. As Hyde's actions become increasingly violent, Jekyll struggles to control his alter ego, leading to tragic consequences.
How does The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde end?↓
In his final moments, Jekyll chooses to end his life rather than live as Hyde. The novel ends with Utterson reflecting on the tragic events and the duality of human nature.
Wondering how long it takes? The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is 25,626 words, about 2 hours, broken down by reading speed and by how many minutes a day you give it.
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