Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Key Characters

Utterson is your typical Victorian lawyer - logical, serious, and the closest thing you get to a reliable narrator in this twisted tale. He's constantly worried about Jekyll, which actually drives the entire plot forward to its shocking climax.

Here's the ironic bit: whilst Jekyll created Hyde to let his wild side run free, Utterson keeps his emotions locked up tight, never allowing himself proper enjoyment. His rationalism makes him completely unprepared to deal with the supernatural madness he encounters.

Hyde represents pure evil - he's Jekyll's dark side given physical form through a mysterious potion. As the story progresses, Jekyll loses control and starts transforming into Hyde even whilst sleeping. Hyde appears younger, more primitive $almost caveman-like$, and disturbingly energetic compared to the respectable Jekyll.

Jekyll himself is brilliantly arrogant, believing he can break society's rules without consequences - spoiler alert: he's massively wrong. This respectable doctor has been secretly engaging in dodgy behaviour since his youth, leading him to use his chemistry knowledge to literally split his personality in two.

Quick Tip: Notice how Jekyll doesn't appear until the final chapter - this keeps him mysterious and adds to the gothic atmosphere!

Dr Lanyon serves as Jekyll's scientific rival, dismissing Jekyll's research as 'unscientific balderdash'. When he witnesses Hyde's transformation, the shock literally kills him - representing how Victorian rationalism couldn't cope with the supernatural.

Enfield is simply Utterson's walking companion, representing typical Victorian respectability alongside his friend. Their Sunday evening strolls show the ordered, civilised world that Hyde threatens to destroy.