Important Characters

Major Characters:

Mr. Utterson-  Mr. Utterson a ," lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable" is the narrator of the story and is therefore a key character (pg 31). From a first person point of view he describes the goings on surrounding Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As the narrator Mr. Utterson also plays the role as ,"the lawyer was a man of rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed" giving the reader thoughts and insights into events and is the one intent on solving the sinister mystery involved with the strange case of Jekyll and Hyde (pg 31). Mr. Utterson must also be described as a static character. As a result of the conflict he really does not experience any change and is pretty much the same at the end of the novella as he was at the beginning.

Dr. Jekyll- Dr. Jekyll,“ a large well made smoothed faced of fifty with something of a slyish cast perhaps”  is another character key to the plot (pg 44). Though Dr. Jekyll does not make very many appearances in the beginning of the book without him there would be no story. He is the one whom 'de-evolves' himself creating Mr. Hyde and thus all of the conflict and action throughout the story. Finally he writes the letter which describes to Utterson and therefore, the audience the happenings behind the creation of Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is a dynamic character. As a result of conflict, “he [Jekyll] came out of his seclusion, renewed relations with his friends, became once more their familiar guest and entertainer; and whilst he had always been known for his charities, he was no less distinguished for religion” even though it seems Dr. Jekyll changes he gave in to his addiction and returned to Hyde (pg 54).

Mr. Hyde-  Mr. Hyde is "small and wicked looking" giving an "impression of deformity without any nameable malformation"(pg 47,41) He is also just as significant as Jekyll. He is Jekyll's doppelganger. The dark part of his mind and his soul, "Hyde numbered few familiars-even the master of the servant maid only seen him twice; his family could nowhere be traced; he had never been photographed." appearing from no where being very safe not to release his identity (pg  49). Hyde Without Hyde there would be no conflict and no action so he is definitely essential to the the plot. Hyde can also be considered the antagonist as he is the one whom Utterson suspects killed Jekyll not knowing until the end that he is essentially the same person. Hyde must be considered a static character. He is foul from the beginning to the end and only experiences change in his growth in strength.

Dr. Lanyon- Dr Lanyon, "the rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away; he was visibly balder and older" was like Utterson once a a dear friend and associate to Dr. Jekyll but was the only one who knew Dr. Jekyll's horrific secret (pg 54). He is important to the story because he is the first one to know about Hyde and writes the letter to Mr. Utterson explaining how Hyde and Jekyll are the same person, also revealing to the reader the secret. Dr. Lanyon is a static character because he can not except what happened dieing.

Mr. Enfield- Mr. Enfield, " a nut to crack for many" is minor character within the story (pg.31). He is important to the story because he really gets the story rolling telling Mr. Utterson about his encounter with Hyde. Mr. Enfield saw Hyde trample the little girl and run away. Which grabs Mr. Utterson attention and begins to have an interest in Hyde pushing the plot forward. Mr. Enfield not having a big role in the story is a static character.

 

Poole –Poole is “A well dressed, elderly servant” who looks after Dr. Jekyll’s house. Poole is minor character as well as being a static character because the events Dr. Jekyll do not directly affect him and his lifestyle is not changed. Although Poole is not a major character in the story he does provide proof of Hydes existence by telling Utterson that “indeed we see very little of him on this side of the house; he mostly comes and goes by the laboratory “(43). Poole also assists Utterson when he attempt to confront Jekyll about his duality, Poole allows him access into the house and helps him break down the doors to Jekyll's cabinet.