The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: "The Last Night" - Study Guide
This guide will help you analyze the final chapter of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, focusing on key themes, vocabulary, and important quotes.
Themes / Big Ideas
- The Duality of Human Nature: This chapter brings the central theme to a head. The revelation of Hyde's death, Jekyll’s will naming Utterson as heir, and the final confession all underscore the constant struggle between good and evil within a single person.
- Repression & The Unconscious: Jekyll's attempts to separate his darker impulses into Hyde represent a repression of the unconscious. The chapter shows the disastrous consequences when these repressed desires break free.
- The Danger of Uncontrolled Scientific Ambition: Jekyll's experiment, driven by a desire to liberate the "good" and "evil" sides of his nature, ultimately leads to destruction. The chapter highlights the ethical responsibility that comes with scientific advancement.
- The Subjectivity of Reality & Perception: The chapter is filled with uncertainty and shifting perceptions. Poole’s unreliable narration, the altered voice of Jekyll/Hyde, and the descriptions of Hyde's appearance all contribute to a sense that reality is fluid and difficult to grasp.
- Guilt & Conscience: The weeping heard by Poole, the frantic search for chemicals, and Jekyll’s annotations on pious texts all suggest a tormented conscience. The chapter explores the psychological toll of wrongdoing.
- The Power of Secrets: The entire story is built on secrets, and this chapter reveals the devastating consequences of keeping them hidden.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| diaphanous | adjective | of such delicacy as to seem almost transparent |
| lawny | adjective | resembling or like lawn (a fine, sheer fabric) |
| explicit | adjective | stated clearly and in full detail |
| doggedly | adverb | stubbornly or resolutely persistent |
| ample | adjective | abundant; more than sufficient |
| irked | verb | to annoy or bother |
| peevishly | adverb | in a bad-tempered or irritable way |
| jangled | adjective | harsh and discordant; unsettling |
| sedulous | adjective | diligent in effort or application |
| exorbitant | adjective | unreasonably high; excessive |
| aught | pronoun | anything |
| palpable | adjective | easily felt or perceived; obvious |
| mottled | adjective | marked with spots or blotches of different colors |
| surly | adjective | bad-tempered and unfriendly |
| annoted | verb | added explanatory notes to |
| penetrate | verb | understand something deeply |
| dire | adjective | extremely serious or terrible |
Quotes to Look For & Analyze
- "‘Bless me, Poole, what brings you here?’… ‘What ails you?’ he added; ‘is the doctor ill?’” – This opening exchange immediately establishes a sense of unease and foreshadows something terrible.
- “Mr. Utterson,” said the man, “there is something wrong.” – The bluntness of this statement and Poole’s fear are central to the chapter's tension.
- “I think there’s been foul play,” said Poole, hoarsely. – This is the first direct accusation of wrongdoing and sets the plot in motion.
- “Well, sir,” he said, “here we are, and God grant there be nothing wrong.” – Poole’s reliance on divine intervention highlights the gravity of the situation.
- “My master is a tall, fine build of a man, and this was more of a dwarf.” – This is a crucial piece of evidence confirming that the figure in the cabinet is not Jekyll.
- “I’ve seen him!” – Poole's personal testimony is powerful, despite its subjectivity.
- “That thing was not my master, and there’s the truth.” – Poole's unwavering conviction is a key element of the chapter.
- “For God’s sake,” he added, “find me some of the old.” – This desperate plea reveals Jekyll’s reliance on the drug and his deteriorating condition.
- “It was but for one minute that I saw him, but the hair stood upon my head like quills.” – This vivid description emphasizes the terrifying nature of Hyde.
- “He was dressed in clothes far too large for him, clothes of the doctor’s bigness…” – Further evidence that Hyde is impersonating Jekyll.
- “We have come too late,” he said sternly, “whether to save or punish.” – Utterson’s realization of Hyde's death and the likely fate of Jekyll.
- “He has been all these days in possession; he had no cause to like me; he must have raged to see himself displaced…” – Utterson’s reasoning about Jekyll's motives.
- “My dear Utterson,—When this shall fall into your hands, I shall have disappeared…” – The opening of Jekyll’s final letter sets the stage for his confession.
- “Evil, I fear, founded—evil was sure to come—of that connection.” – Utterson’s acknowledgement of the inherent danger in Jekyll's experiment.
This study guide should help you navigate the complexities of "The Last Night" and understand its significance within the broader context of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Remember to consider the symbolism, character motivations, and overall message of the chapter as you analyze these elements.