Chapter 2: Search for Mr. Hyde
This chapter delves deeper into the mysterious Mr. Hyde as Utterson investigates him. The atmospheric descriptions create a sense of urban terror and foreboding.
Quote: "Nocturnal city" and "through sleeping houses"
These phrases establish the dark, unsettling urban setting that forms the backdrop for Hyde's activities.
Vocabulary: "Troglodytic" - primitive, cave-dwelling. This term is used to describe Hyde, emphasizing his bestial nature.
The chapter provides more vivid descriptions of Hyde, such as "pale and dwarfish" and having a "murderous mixture of timidity and boldness." These continue to paint him as an unsettling, inhuman presence.
Quote: "Satan's signature upon a face"
This powerful imagery directly links Hyde to evil, reinforcing the theme of good versus evil that runs throughout the novel.
The chapter ends with a quote hinting at the strained friendship between Jekyll and Hyde: "creature stealing like a thief," foreshadowing the complex relationship that will be revealed.