Keyword Guide · character-analysis

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Character List & Key Analysis

When studying Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic classic, understanding its core characters is critical to unpacking its themes of duality and morality. This guide breaks down every major and supporting character, plus gives you actionable study strategies to ace assignments. Whether you’re prepping for a quiz or drafting an essay, this structured list will keep your analysis focused.

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Major Core Characters

1. Dr. Henry Jekyll: A respected, wealthy London physician obsessed with separating humanity’s good and evil impulses. His secret experiment unleashes his repressed dark side. 2. Mr. Edward Hyde: Jekyll’s violent, amoral alter ego—small, grotesque, and unburdened by social or ethical constraints. He acts as Jekyll’s outlet for forbidden desires. 3. Mr. Gabriel Utterson: A quiet, loyal lawyer and Jekyll’s longtime friend. He serves as the story’s narrator, driving the mystery of Hyde’s identity through his persistent investigation.

Key Supporting Characters

1. Dr. Hastie Lanyon: A prominent physician and former colleague of Jekyll’s, who rejects Jekyll’s unorthodox scientific methods. His reaction to Jekyll’s secret becomes a critical plot turning point. 2. Mr. Poole: Jekyll’s dedicated, long-serving butler. His concern over Jekyll’s erratic behavior sparks Utterson’s final, fateful investigation. 3. Inspector Newcomen: A Scotland Yard officer who assists Utterson in investigating Hyde’s violent crimes, grounding the story’s mystery in real-world procedural details.

Study Structure for Character Analysis

For class discussions or essays, organize your analysis using this 3-part framework: 1. Core Trait: Start with 1-2 defining traits for each character (e.g., Utterson’s “relentless loyalty”). 2. Narrative Function: Explain how the character advances the plot or themes (e.g., Lanyon represents scientific conservatism against Jekyll’s radicalism). 3. Evidence Tie-In: Link traits to observable actions (avoid direct text quotes) to strengthen your claims. This structure works for both short quiz answers and full-length essays.

Tips for Quiz & Exam Prep

Create flashcards for each character pairing Jekyll-Hyde, Utterson-Jekyll, and Lanyon-Jekyll to memorize their dynamic relationships. Practice identifying which character’s actions drive specific plot beats, such as who initiates the final break-in at Jekyll’s lab. For essay prompts, focus on duality as a unifying theme—how each character either embodies, challenges, or highlights the novel’s central conflict between good and evil.

Which character is the story’s narrator?

Mr. Gabriel Utterson, a loyal lawyer and Jekyll’s friend, serves as the story’s primary narrator, guiding readers through the mystery of Hyde’s identity.

How do Jekyll and Hyde’s traits contrast?

Jekyll is a respected, introspective man bound by social norms, while Hyde is a small, violent figure unshackled by ethics or consequence—they represent the split between repressed desire and public virtue.

Why is Dr. Lanyon important to the story?

Lanyon’s rejection of Jekyll’s science and his dramatic reaction to learning Jekyll’s secret underscore the danger of unchecked scientific ambition and the horror of Jekyll’s experiment.

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