The Murder of Sir Danvers Carew

The violent murder of Sir Danvers Carew represents the pinnacle of Hyde's brutality and serves as a critique of Victorian society's limitations.

Quote: "When he was 'trampling (over Sir Danvers Carew) his bones were 'audibly shattered'"

This vivid and disturbing imagery emphasizes the extreme nature of Hyde's violence and the repulsion it evokes in both the characters and the reader.

Vocabulary: Ontological parasite - A being that can only exist in relation to another entity.

Hyde's attack on Sir Danvers Carew, a member of Parliament, symbolizes his rage against societal laws and expectations. This violent act can be interpreted as an assault on the very foundations of Victorian society.

Highlight: The murder of Sir Danvers Carew represents Hyde's "fury" at the laws and societal expectations that limit individual expression.

Stevenson uses this violent episode to critique the superficiality of Victorian society and explore the consequences of suppressing one's true nature. The author suggests that such repression can lead to the emergence of violent tendencies when individuals are finally freed from societal constraints.

Definition: Physiognomy - The practice of judging character based on facial features, popular in the Victorian era.

The violent impact of Jekyll and Hyde's duality is further emphasized through Jekyll's self-description as a "dreadful shipwreck" in his final letter, highlighting the destructive consequences of their violent actions and internal struggle.

Hyde's Initial Act of Violence

Stevenson introduces Hyde's violent nature through the incident of trampling a young girl. This event sets the stage for Hyde's escalating brutality throughout the novel.

Quote: "Hyde 'trampled calmly' over the 'young girl'"

The juxtaposition of "trampled calmly" reflects society's confusion about Hyde's nature and foreshadows the more severe violence to come.

Highlight: The trampling incident symbolizes Hyde's disrespect for societal norms and the vulnerability of Victorian values.

The choice of a young girl as the victim is significant, as it represents the vulnerability of society itself. This act of violence serves as a precursor to Hyde's later, more extreme actions.

Example: The progression from trampling a child to murdering an adult demonstrates the escalation of Hyde's violent tendencies.

Stevenson uses this initial act of violence to introduce themes of societal constraints, the duality of human nature, and the potential for evil that resides within everyone.