Part 2: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Plot Development and Conflict Answers

Read the excerpt from chapter 3 of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."You know I never approved of it,” pursued Utterson, ruthlessly disregarding the fresh topic."My will? Yes, certainly, I know that,” said the doctor, a trifle sharply. "You have told me so.”"Well, I tell you so again,” continued the lawyer. "I have been learning something of young Hyde.”The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more,” said he. "This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop.”"What I heard was abominable,” said Utterson."It can make no change. You do not understand my position,” returned the doctor, with a certain incoherency of manner. "I am painfully situated, Utterson; my position is a very strange—a very strange one. It is one of those affairs that cannot be mended by talking.”

Read the excerpt from chapter 3 of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."You know I never approved of it,” pursued Utterson, ruthlessly disregarding the fresh topic."My will? Yes, certainly, I know that,” said the doctor, a trifle sharply. "You have told me so."Well, I tell you so again,” continued the lawyer. "I have been learning something of young Hyde.”The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more,” said he. "This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop.”

Read the excerpt from chapter 4 of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.At this moment, however, the rooms bore every mark of having been recently and hurriedly ransacked; clothes lay about the floor, with their pockets inside out; lock-fast drawers stood open; and on the hearth there lay a pile of grey ashes, as though many papers had been burned. From these embers the inspector disinterred the butt end of a green cheque book, which had resisted the action of the fire; the other half of the stick was found behind the door; and as this clinched his suspicions, the officer declared himself delighted.

suspenseconflictresolutionhumor

Four charts with the plot elements in different orders.

expositionrising actionclimaxfalling action

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."I can’t pretend that I shall ever like him,” said the lawyer."I don’t ask that,” pleaded Jekyll, laying his hand upon the other’s arm; "I only ask for justice; I only ask you to help him for my sake, when I am no longer here.” Utterson heaved an irrepressible sigh. "Well,” said he, "I promise.”