The Man Behind the Slyish Cast

The two mysterious characters Jekyll and Hyde carry strange similarities and stark differences. In comparing Enfield’s description of Hyde and the description of Jekyll in chapter three, one similarity is the implication of a darkness within. The description of Hyde is much more straightforward in this as Enfield claims that “he gives a strong feeling of deformity” despite the fact that he cannot point out any physical deformities. This implies that there is a darkness within the character of Hyde that is displeasing to others as they sense something is wrong. In the same way, Jekyll hides something behind a “slyish cast” that is not as easily uncovered beneath his kind and caring demeanor. Additionally, when “young Hyde” is brought up by the lawyer, Jekyll’s face distorts from the previous handsome description to “pale to the very lips” with a “blackness about his eyes”. This again implies the dark connection between the two characters and this description of Jekyll could be seen as his face deforming to reveal the importance of appearance in mirroring the characters thoughts and feelings.

In contrast, Mr. Hyde is described in a vague and fearful manner. Enfield's active voice when describing Hyde consistently brings us back the strange subject of Mr. Hyde’s appearance and how that affects the way Mr. Enfield understands him. While also providing shorter sentences, active voice makes the subject, Mr. Hyde, take responsibility for the action of being deformed and displeasing. This is an interesting way to describe someone because Enfield is very direct about his views of Mr. Hyde rather than merely commenting on how the man seemed to be. Additionally, the description of his appearance remains steady in it’s horrifying nature and Enfield's inability to point out the reason for the horror. However, the voice and idea development of Dr. Jekyll’s character is spoken in a lengthy manner with fluid description. Dr. Jekyll is described in detail as “a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty” as well as a man with “every mark of capacity and kindness.” This contrasts greatly with Hyde’s description of appearance because it implies a kind, honorable man while Hyde’s lack of physical description implies a mysterious figure as it remains the dark unknown. Another contrasting element is that the other characters around Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have very different responses. It is evident in Mr. Enfield’s characterization of Mr. Hyde that he is fearful of this negative creature and bothered by his inability to directly point out way he received such a negative, deformed feeling from Hyde. While Jekyll’s “slyish cast” is questioned, he is described in a much more positive manner to outsiders as “you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection.” Such deep affection and sincerity is not even hinted at in Mr. Hyde’s personality.

Jekyll I wake to the sunlight I won’t fear to face them I will pleasantly stroll with a smile And hyde what can’t be seen He is within me... A weakness He plucks at my sanity I must rid myself of him Yet

Hyde I emerge in the moonlight I won’t fear to face myself I will freely roam as I am And do as I please He is within me... A weakness He tugs at my freedom I must rid myself of him He won’t.

The purpose of this poem is to show the opposing qualities of the two characters and foreshadow Hyde’s ultimate takeover of the two minds of one body. The intended effect is that the audience will see that ignoring the darker sides of us doesn’t solve the problem but can make them more appealing as something real rather than a societal mask. In a way, one could argue that displaying yourself as perfect was just as prevalent in the Victorian Era as it is now with social media. When nobody sees that you are hurting, nobody will know when you need help; just as Jekyll suffered with Hyde.