Page 2: Jekyll's Violence and Loss of Sympathy

This page examines how Jekyll's violent behavior as Hyde diminishes the reader's sympathy and explores the progression of his moral decline.

Key points:

• Jekyll's violent actions as Hyde reduce sympathy
• The murder of Sir Danvers Carew marks a turning point in Jekyll's moral decay
• The essay contrasts Jekyll's helplessness with his deliberate violent acts

Example: Jekyll's window being "thrust down" violently when Utterson encounters him, reminiscent of Hyde's earlier violent behaviors.

Analysis of Jekyll's violence:

• Hyde "trampling calmly" over a young girl at the start of the novella
• The progression from trampling to murder shows Jekyll embracing violent desires
• The attack on Sir Danvers Carew demonstrates a complete lack of morals

Quote: "Overall, Jekyll's disrespect in the state of Hyde presents him as a cold-hearted being undeserving of sympathy."

Loss of sympathy factors:

• The ease and calmness with which Jekyll/Hyde commits violent acts
• The escalation of violence throughout the novel
• The attack on vulnerable individuals (young girl, old man)

Highlight: The description of Hyde's "ape-like fury" during the murder of Sir Danvers Carew emphasizes the animalistic and undignified nature of the violence.

Why does Hyde kill himself? While not explicitly stated in this excerpt, the progression of violence and loss of control suggests that Hyde's self-destruction may be a result of the complete moral decay and loss of humanity in Jekyll's character.