The Mysterious Door
The chapter continues with a detailed description of the mysterious door and the building it belongs to. This description serves to create an atmosphere of foreboding and intrigue.
Vocabulary: Sinister - giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
The building is described as thrusting its gable forward onto the street, standing out from the otherwise pleasant surroundings. Its appearance is marked by neglect and disrepair.
Imagery: "The door, which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained."
The contrast between this building and the rest of the street is stark, emphasizing its significance to the story. Stevenson uses this contrast to build tension and curiosity in the reader.
Literary device: The author uses juxtaposition to highlight the oddity of the building and door.
As Utterson and Enfield pass by this building, Enfield points out the door and hints at an odd story connected to it. This moment serves as a hook, drawing the reader into the mystery that will unfold in subsequent chapters.
Quote: "Did you ever remark that door?" he asked; and when his companion had replied in the affirmative, "It is connected in my mind," added he, "with a very odd story."
This chapter effectively sets the stage for the Jekyll and Hyde summary, introducing key characters and establishing the mysterious atmosphere that will pervade the novella.