Question
How does Stevenson create mystery and suspense throughout Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
Answer
Robert Louis Stevenson creates mystery and suspense in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” through a variety of literary techniques that keep readers engaged and intrigued throughout the narrative.
Techniques for Creating Mystery and Suspense
Setting and Atmosphere: Stevenson uses a dark, foggy London setting to create an eerie atmosphere that enhances the mystery. The depiction of the house and the fog-bound streets contribute to a sense of foreboding and suspense (Solanki, 2019; Gujarati, 2017; Subotsky, 2007).
Character Descriptions and Interactions: The mysterious relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is central to the suspense. Stevenson cleverly portrays them as separate individuals, maintaining the mystery of their true connection until the end. The characters’ interactions, particularly through the eyes of Mr. Utterson, add layers of intrigue as he tries to uncover the truth (Solanki, 2019; Gujarati, 2017; Subotsky, 2007; Stevenson and Mighall, 2002).
Narrative Structure: The story unfolds through the perspectives of different characters, particularly Mr. Utterson, who pieces together the mystery through various accounts. This layered narrative structure keeps readers guessing and builds suspense as the truth is gradually revealed (Subotsky, 2007; Vernet, 2022).
Themes of Duality and Secrecy: The dual nature of humanity is a central theme, with Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde representing the struggle between good and evil. This theme is explored through Jekyll’s secret experiments and the moral implications of his actions, which add to the suspense as readers anticipate the consequences (Stevenson, 2015; Esmailzadeh, Beyad and Salami, 2024; Launer, 2019).
Hints and Foreshadowing: Stevenson uses subtle hints and foreshadowing to build suspense. The mysterious will, the unexplained violence, and the gradual revelation of Jekyll’s experiments all contribute to a growing sense of unease and anticipation (Solanki, 2019; Gujarati, 2017; Stevenson and Mighall, 2002).
Conclusion
Stevenson masterfully creates mystery and suspense in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” through atmospheric settings, complex character dynamics, and a narrative structure that gradually reveals the dark secrets of Dr. Jekyll’s experiments. The themes of duality and secrecy further enhance the suspense, making it a timeless tale of psychological intrigue.
References
Solanki, G., 2019. The Rudiments of Mystery and Suspense in the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. **, 21, pp. 139-141.
Gujarati, A., 2017. The Elements Of Mystery And Suspense In The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde. **, 5.
Subotsky, F., 2007. Medical Classics: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. BMJ, 334, pp. 371. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39125.611736.59
Stevenson, R., 2015. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Suicide Club. **.
Esmailzadeh, S., Beyad, M., & Salami, A., 2024. Violating positivist precepts: a Comtean look into The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Nineteenth-Century Contexts, 46, pp. 293 – 304. https://doi.org/10.1080/08905495.2024.2336620
Stevenson, R., & Mighall, R., 2002. The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and other tales of terror. **.
Launer, J., 2019. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: a tale of mystery, morality and medicine. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 95, pp. 178 – 180. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-136613
Vernet, M., 2022. The Distribution of the Sensible in Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Acta Iassyensia Comparationis. https://doi.org/10.47743/aic-2022-1-0006
Ridenhour, J. (2013) In Darkest London: The Gothic Cityscape in Victorian Literature. Lanham, Rowman & Littlefield.
Rose, B.A. (1996) Jekyll and Hyde Adapted: Dramatizations of Cultural Anxiety. Westport, Greenwood Publishing Group.
Smith, A. (2004) Victorian Demons: Medicine, Masculinity, and the Gothic at the Fin-de-siècle. Manchester, Manchester University Press.
Stevenson, R.L. (2016) The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories. New York, Race Point Publishing.
