Secrecy and Reputation: There are many secrets that the characters hide. Hyde’s name sounds like ‘hide’
which hints at his evilly mysterious nature. These secrets must stay hidden in order to protect the reputations of
the characters, which is one of the most important values in society. They put their reputation above anything else
and repress their true selves and desires in the hopes of keeping a high and a respected profile. There are
secrets that are revealed and secrets that remain unsolved by the end of the novella. In the climax, we find out
Hyde and Jekyll are the same person, we find out the reason for Lanyon’s death etc. However, the potion that
causes the transformation remains a secret, and so do Jekyll’s past mistakes or desires. Several symbols are
used to represent secrecy. These include lack of windows, doors, and fog. Doors particularly act as a barrier to
reach the truths. Most of the gentlemen including Utterson and Hyde prefer to ignore weird occurrences instead
of dig into it and discover the truth. Utterson only tries to reveal truths to protect Jekyll’s reputation, not if the
knowledge will ruin Jekyll's reputation. Everyone tries to avoid gossip as it is a disrespectful thing to do. Secrecy
and reputation are the main reasons for the creation of Hyde. Jekyll wants his desires to remain a secret and not
have consequences for his place in the society, hence he creates a different character that won’t suffer from any
of these.
Quotes Analysis
“If he be Mr Hyde I shall be Mr Seek” Hyde sounds like ‘hide’. Utterson is determined to
reveal the mystery in hopes of saving his friend from
something that could possibly be blackmail.
"No gentleman but wishes to avoid a scene... Name Highlights the importance of reputation and the ways of
your figure" dealing with dangers towards reputation. Idea that
money can provide safety.
"Windows barred with iron" Windows that normally reveal with their transparency,
"The dingy windowless structure" are ironed or don’t exist. This hints that there are
mysteries behind walls that shall not be revealed.
"The more it looks like queer street the less I ask" Enfield suggests it is best to stay out of a situation that
could cause a scene and have consequences for him
socially.
“Grew pale to the very lips, there came a blackness His fear is reflected onto his face. Shows the level of
about his eyes.” importance of one’s reputation, and the stress they go
through to preserve it. Jekyll feels ill and anxious.
"I cannot say that I care what becomes of Hyde; I am Worries about his reputation rather than the harm Hyde
quite done with him. I was thinking of my own has caused to innocent people. Hateful business covers
character, which this hateful business has rather it up and creates mystery with connotations of evil.
exposed."
"I had been safe of all men's respect" Wants to protect his reputation while indulging in his
shameful behaviour as Hyde.
“Not to be opened until the death or disappearance of Lanyon cares about Jekyll's reputation although he is
Henry Jekyll”. dying because of him. Shows the importance of
reputation.
“The fog still slept on the wing above the drowned city” Fog is used to symbolise secrecy and mystery. It
conceals the secrets hidden by people and jekyll and
hyde in this case. Drowned suggests the city is full of
sins and sinners.
which hints at his evilly mysterious nature. These secrets must stay hidden in order to protect the reputations of
the characters, which is one of the most important values in society. They put their reputation above anything else
and repress their true selves and desires in the hopes of keeping a high and a respected profile. There are
secrets that are revealed and secrets that remain unsolved by the end of the novella. In the climax, we find out
Hyde and Jekyll are the same person, we find out the reason for Lanyon’s death etc. However, the potion that
causes the transformation remains a secret, and so do Jekyll’s past mistakes or desires. Several symbols are
used to represent secrecy. These include lack of windows, doors, and fog. Doors particularly act as a barrier to
reach the truths. Most of the gentlemen including Utterson and Hyde prefer to ignore weird occurrences instead
of dig into it and discover the truth. Utterson only tries to reveal truths to protect Jekyll’s reputation, not if the
knowledge will ruin Jekyll's reputation. Everyone tries to avoid gossip as it is a disrespectful thing to do. Secrecy
and reputation are the main reasons for the creation of Hyde. Jekyll wants his desires to remain a secret and not
have consequences for his place in the society, hence he creates a different character that won’t suffer from any
of these.
Quotes Analysis
“If he be Mr Hyde I shall be Mr Seek” Hyde sounds like ‘hide’. Utterson is determined to
reveal the mystery in hopes of saving his friend from
something that could possibly be blackmail.
"No gentleman but wishes to avoid a scene... Name Highlights the importance of reputation and the ways of
your figure" dealing with dangers towards reputation. Idea that
money can provide safety.
"Windows barred with iron" Windows that normally reveal with their transparency,
"The dingy windowless structure" are ironed or don’t exist. This hints that there are
mysteries behind walls that shall not be revealed.
"The more it looks like queer street the less I ask" Enfield suggests it is best to stay out of a situation that
could cause a scene and have consequences for him
socially.
“Grew pale to the very lips, there came a blackness His fear is reflected onto his face. Shows the level of
about his eyes.” importance of one’s reputation, and the stress they go
through to preserve it. Jekyll feels ill and anxious.
"I cannot say that I care what becomes of Hyde; I am Worries about his reputation rather than the harm Hyde
quite done with him. I was thinking of my own has caused to innocent people. Hateful business covers
character, which this hateful business has rather it up and creates mystery with connotations of evil.
exposed."
"I had been safe of all men's respect" Wants to protect his reputation while indulging in his
shameful behaviour as Hyde.
“Not to be opened until the death or disappearance of Lanyon cares about Jekyll's reputation although he is
Henry Jekyll”. dying because of him. Shows the importance of
reputation.
“The fog still slept on the wing above the drowned city” Fog is used to symbolise secrecy and mystery. It
conceals the secrets hidden by people and jekyll and
hyde in this case. Drowned suggests the city is full of
sins and sinners.
