The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Robert Louis Stivenson

Dr Henry Jekyll is a successful and well – known London doctor who is liked for his pleasant character and respected for his work. The mysterious Mr. Edward Hyde, on the other hand, appears to be a thoroughly bad man, although he is completely unknown in London society. A well – known man is murdered, and Edward Hyde seems to be responsible. So how does Mr. Hyde come to have the key of Dr. Jekylls house? And why does Dr. Jekyll give his lawyer, Mr. Utterson, a new will in which he leaves everything to Mr. Hyde? One night, Poole, Dr. Jekylls butler, visits Mr. Atterson and asks him to come to Dr. Jekylls House.

When they arrived the butler knocked gently on the door, and a voice inside asked: Is that you Poole? Yes, its all right, said Poole. Open the door. They entered the brightly lit hall. All the servants were crowded together like frightened sheep. Why you are all here? asked Utterson. Dr. Jekyll would not be pleased. Theyre all afraid, said Poole. Then he begged Mr. Utterson to follow him to Dr. Jekylls study.

Poole knocked on the study door and said: Mr. Utterson is here, sir. Tell him I cant see anyone, said a voice from inside. Poole led Utterson in silence back to the kitchen. Sir, he said, looking Mr. Utterson in the eyes, was that my masters voice? It seems much changed, replied the lawyer, very pale. Changed? No, sir. That is NOT my master. He was got rid of eight days ago when we heard him cry out in the name of God. And whos there instead of him? This is a strange story, Pole, said Mr. Utterson, biting his finger. Suppose Dr. Jekyll was murdered. What could persuade the murder to stay? That doesnt make sense.

Eventually, Utterson returns to the study and demands to enter. The voice from inside refuses and Utterson realizes it is Mr. Hydes voice. Poole and Utterson decide to break into the study. They looked into the room. There it lay in the quiet lamplight, a good fire burning, papers set neatly on the desk, and things arranged for tea.

Right in the middle there lay the body of a man, horribly twisted and not yet quite still. They went towards it carefully and recognised the face of Edward Hyde. He was dressed in clothes that were far too big for him, clothes of the doctors size. The muscles of his face still moved, but life was quite gone; there was a broken bottle in his hand. The two men turned to the desk. On it they found an envelope addressed to Mr. Utterson. The lawyer opened it and several papers fell to the floor, including a new will from Dr. Jekyll – but in place of the name of Edward Hyde, the lawyer read his own name.

I dont understand, said Utterson. Hyde has been here for days. He must have been angry to see my name instead of his, but he didnt destroy the paper. Why dont you read that note, sir? asked Poole. Because Im afraid to, replied the lawyer. And with that he fixed his eyes on the paper and read the note.

My dear Utterson, When this comes into your hands, I shall have disappeared. I cannot be certain as to how that will happen, but my feelings tell me that the end is sure and must come soon. If you wish to hear more, turn to the story of, your ashamed and unhappy friend, Henry Jekyll

When Utterson returned home, he read Henry Jekylls full statement of the case. I was born into a rich family and was gifted with excellent abilities; so I was certain you might have thought, to become a respect and honorable man. But it began to lead a double life. I did experiments with a mixture of drugs that would change my body and mind and would reshape them in a new way.

The first time I drank the mixture I experienced terrible pain, and I lost height; but then I felt younger and happier. I also felt the desire to do evil. When I looked in the mirror, I saw for the first time the appearance of Mr. Hide. When I took the mixture again, I became Henry Jekyll once more. I repeated the experiment many times and as Mr. Hyde I did unthinkable crimes. Even now, I can hardly believe I did them. But the drugs began to have unpredictable effect.

Once I went to bed as Dr Jekyll and woke up as Mr. Hyde! My hands became bony and covered in hair. Things were getting out of control. I have been a prisoner in my own study, more often in the shape of Mr. Hyde. The mixture of drugs doesnt seem to work any more. I have become seriously weak and feverish in body and mind. It is probably the last time that Henry Jekyll can think his own thoughts or see his own face. Will Hyde be hanged on the hangmans rope? Or will he find the courage to take his own life? I dont care. This is my true hour of death, and what follows concerns a person who is not myself. I lay down the pen, I bring the life to an end.