Chapter Notes: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

About the Author

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and traveller. He was born in 1850 and loved writing stories filled with mystery and adventure. His most famous books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His stories often explore the good and evil sides of human nature.

Detailed Summary

The story "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" is about a good and kind scientist named Dr Henry Jekyll who behaves very strangely one day. His friend, Mr Utterson, who is a lawyer, becomes very worried about him.

One evening, Dr Jekyll's butler, Poole, visits Mr Utterson. Poole looks frightened and tells him that his master, Dr Jekyll, has locked himself in his room for many days and is acting in a very strange way. Poole says he has heard a strange voice inside the room that does not sound like his master's. He believes that something bad has happened to Dr Jekyll - maybe even murder!

Mr Utterson goes with Poole to Jekyll's house. The streets are dark and empty, which makes the situation scarier. When they reach the house, Poole knocks on the cabinet door, and a voice from inside says, "Tell him I cannot see anyone." The voice sounds different - not like Dr Jekyll's at all.

Poole tells Mr Utterson that whoever is inside the room keeps writing notes asking for a special kind of medicine or drug. Poole has been bringing it all week, but every time, the person inside says it's not the right one. Poole also says that once he saw the person inside - a small, hunched man wearing a mask - and he ran away like a frightened animal. Poole is sure that the person inside is not Dr Jekyll but someone else.

Mr Utterson thinks maybe Dr Jekyll is sick and the medicine is to help him. But Poole insists that it's not him - it's Mr Hyde, a strange man connected to Dr Jekyll. Both men now believe that Dr Jekyll has been murdered and Mr Hyde is hiding inside the room.

So, they decide to break open the door. Poole takes an axe, and Mr Utterson takes a heavy iron rod. When they knock and call again, a voice from inside cries, "Have mercy!" - but it is Mr Hyde's voice, not Jekyll's. They break down the door.

Inside the room, they find the dead body of Mr Hyde lying on the floor. He has taken poison, and beside him are bottles and the smell of chemicals. He is wearing Dr Jekyll's clothes, but Dr Jekyll himself is nowhere to be found - not dead or alive.

Moral / Message

The story teaches that both good and evil exist within every person. When we allow our bad side to control us, it can destroy who we truly are. We should always choose kindness, honesty, and goodness, and never let greed or anger take over our hearts.

Word & Meanings

• Butler: A senior male servant in a household
• Foul play: A dishonest or criminal act
• Phial: A small glass bottle used for medicine
• Deform: To change or spoil the normal shape of something
• Uneasiness: A feeling of worry or fear
• Consent: Permission or agreement
• Hunched: Bent forward with the back rounded
• Clenched: Closed tightly, usually showing fear or anger
• Poison: A substance that can cause sickness or death
• Disappearance: The act of going missing or not being seen
• Privilege: A special right or advantage
• Measly: Very small or insufficient
• Evasive: Avoiding a direct answer