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18
1
Evangeline
17/11/2025
English Literature
The Incident of the Letter - Annotation
585
•
17 Nov 2025
•
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Chapter 5: Annotated Analysis of 'The Incident of the Letter'
Evangeline
@evaoladimeji
Incident of the Letter: Part 1
Chapter 5 opens with Mr Utterson visiting Dr Jekyll after the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. This scene reveals crucial insights into the Jekyll-Hyde relationship through carefully crafted dialogue and setting details.
Jekyll's cabinet (private room) establishes an atmosphere of secrecy and containment:
- A large room with "dusty windows barred with iron"
- Glass cabinets and a business table suggesting Jekyll's professional status
- The fog creating a sense of isolation and concealment
When Utterson enters, Jekyll appears "deathly sick" and greets his visitor with a "cold hand," showing his distress following Hyde's violent actions. Their conversation reveals Jekyll's complicated relationship with Hyde:
- Jekyll swears he is "done with him in this world"
- He claims Hyde is "safe" and "will never more be heard of"
- Jekyll displays a "feverish manner" that concerns Utterson
The most significant plot development comes when Jekyll reveals he has received a letter from Hyde. This letter:
- Is written in an "odd, upright hand"
- Claims Hyde has "means of escape"
- Reassures Jekyll he need not fear for Hyde's safety
Key Concept: The duality theme is powerfully presented through Jekyll's contradictory behaviour. While claiming to reject Hyde completely, his "feverish manner" suggests a deeper connection, highlighting the struggle between good and evil within one person.
The letter itself becomes evidence that Utterson evaluates carefully. When Jekyll admits Hyde dictated the terms of his will regarding disappearance, Utterson concludes: "He meant to murder you. You had a fine escape."
Jekyll's response is telling: "I have had what is far more to the purpose... I have had a lesson—O God, Utterson, what a lesson I have had!" This emotional outburst suggests genuine remorse and hints that Jekyll bears more responsibility for Hyde's actions than he admits.
Incident of the Letter: Part 2
As Utterson prepares to leave Jekyll's home, a crucial contradiction emerges that deepens the mystery. When questioning Poole about the letter's delivery, Poole insists that no letter had arrived that day. This discrepancy immediately renews Utterson's suspicions:
- The letter must have come through the laboratory door
- It may have been written in Jekyll's cabinet
- This suggests an even closer connection between Jekyll and Hyde
The gothic atmosphere intensifies as Utterson exits into the fog-filled London streets, where newsboys shout about the "shocking murder of an M.P." This creates a sense of public scandal that threatens Jekyll's reputation.
Seeking advice, Utterson consults his head clerk, Mr Guest, who is an expert in handwriting. Stevenson uses rich imagery to describe their meeting:
- They sit by a warm firelight that contrasts with the foggy city outside
- London is described as a "drowned city" with lamps like "carbuncles"
- The "procession of the town's life" rolls through "great arteries" like a "mighty wind"
This atmospheric description uses pathetic fallacy (where the environment reflects the characters' emotions) to enhance the sense of concealment and moral ambiguity.
The chapter reaches its climax when Guest compares Hyde's letter with Jekyll's handwriting:
- Guest notes "a rather singular resemblance" between the hands
- They are "in many points identical: only differently sloped"
- This revelation shocks Utterson deeply
Key Example: The handwriting comparison is a masterful plot device that provides physical evidence of Jekyll and Hyde's connection. Stevenson uses this subtle clue to hint at their shared identity while maintaining mystery for the reader.
The chapter ends with Utterson's disturbing realization: "Henry Jekyll forge for a murderer!" The final line—"his blood ran cold in his veins"—leaves readers with a sense of dread and foreboding, perfectly capturing the gothic horror element of the novel.
This chapter significantly advances the theme of good versus evil by showing how Jekyll's respectable facade is beginning to crack, revealing the darkness beneath his gentlemanly exterior.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Chapter 5: Annotated Analysis of 'The Incident of the Letter'
Evangeline
@evaoladimeji
Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" explores the duality of human nature through a compelling Victorian mystery. Chapter 5, "Incident of the Letter," serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative, revealing important... Show more
Incident of the Letter: Part 1
Chapter 5 opens with Mr Utterson visiting Dr Jekyll after the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. This scene reveals crucial insights into the Jekyll-Hyde relationship through carefully crafted dialogue and setting details.
Jekyll's cabinet (private room) establishes an atmosphere of secrecy and containment:
- A large room with "dusty windows barred with iron"
- Glass cabinets and a business table suggesting Jekyll's professional status
- The fog creating a sense of isolation and concealment
When Utterson enters, Jekyll appears "deathly sick" and greets his visitor with a "cold hand," showing his distress following Hyde's violent actions. Their conversation reveals Jekyll's complicated relationship with Hyde:
- Jekyll swears he is "done with him in this world"
- He claims Hyde is "safe" and "will never more be heard of"
- Jekyll displays a "feverish manner" that concerns Utterson
The most significant plot development comes when Jekyll reveals he has received a letter from Hyde. This letter:
- Is written in an "odd, upright hand"
- Claims Hyde has "means of escape"
- Reassures Jekyll he need not fear for Hyde's safety
Key Concept: The duality theme is powerfully presented through Jekyll's contradictory behaviour. While claiming to reject Hyde completely, his "feverish manner" suggests a deeper connection, highlighting the struggle between good and evil within one person.
The letter itself becomes evidence that Utterson evaluates carefully. When Jekyll admits Hyde dictated the terms of his will regarding disappearance, Utterson concludes: "He meant to murder you. You had a fine escape."
Jekyll's response is telling: "I have had what is far more to the purpose... I have had a lesson—O God, Utterson, what a lesson I have had!" This emotional outburst suggests genuine remorse and hints that Jekyll bears more responsibility for Hyde's actions than he admits.
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Incident of the Letter: Part 2
As Utterson prepares to leave Jekyll's home, a crucial contradiction emerges that deepens the mystery. When questioning Poole about the letter's delivery, Poole insists that no letter had arrived that day. This discrepancy immediately renews Utterson's suspicions:
- The letter must have come through the laboratory door
- It may have been written in Jekyll's cabinet
- This suggests an even closer connection between Jekyll and Hyde
The gothic atmosphere intensifies as Utterson exits into the fog-filled London streets, where newsboys shout about the "shocking murder of an M.P." This creates a sense of public scandal that threatens Jekyll's reputation.
Seeking advice, Utterson consults his head clerk, Mr Guest, who is an expert in handwriting. Stevenson uses rich imagery to describe their meeting:
- They sit by a warm firelight that contrasts with the foggy city outside
- London is described as a "drowned city" with lamps like "carbuncles"
- The "procession of the town's life" rolls through "great arteries" like a "mighty wind"
This atmospheric description uses pathetic fallacy (where the environment reflects the characters' emotions) to enhance the sense of concealment and moral ambiguity.
The chapter reaches its climax when Guest compares Hyde's letter with Jekyll's handwriting:
- Guest notes "a rather singular resemblance" between the hands
- They are "in many points identical: only differently sloped"
- This revelation shocks Utterson deeply
Key Example: The handwriting comparison is a masterful plot device that provides physical evidence of Jekyll and Hyde's connection. Stevenson uses this subtle clue to hint at their shared identity while maintaining mystery for the reader.
The chapter ends with Utterson's disturbing realization: "Henry Jekyll forge for a murderer!" The final line—"his blood ran cold in his veins"—leaves readers with a sense of dread and foreboding, perfectly capturing the gothic horror element of the novel.
This chapter significantly advances the theme of good versus evil by showing how Jekyll's respectable facade is beginning to crack, revealing the darkness beneath his gentlemanly exterior.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user