The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Ch 6

[Silver]

Please post your thoughts and questions here and be aware if you have not finished this chapter spoilers may be posted here.

[Deborah, Moderator]

Not sure I could leave the letter unopened with all the strange circumstances.

[Frances, Moderator]

This is a particularly strange and puzzling chapter, in which Jekyll initially seems relieved and lightened in spirits by the disappearance of Hyde, reunites with his old friends, and then something happens causing a rupture with Lanyon so serious that Lanyon falls ill and subsequently dies and Jekyll goes into deep seclusion. I agree with Deborah that at this point I don't think I could ignore the letter, but I assume that in those times honour and duty were deeply entrenched notions and it would be hard for someone like Utterson to break faith with his friend, even after his death.

I am always puzzled by Victorian illnesses, and wonder what could cause someone to die a from a shock a couple of weeks after the fact, as happens to Lanyon. Heart attack and subsequent heart failure? A stroke could be caused by a shock but would leave other symptoms before becoming fatal. Any one with any other suggestions?

[Silver]

Frances wrote: " am always puzzled by Victorian illnesses, and wonder what could cause someone to die a from a shock a couple of weeks after the fact, as happens to Lanyon"

I was puzzled by what could be the cause of Dr. Lanyon's illness/death as well. For I don't think shock however great could literally bring about ones death. And if he did die from a heart attack brought on by the shock he would have died right away I think not languished in illness prior to his death.

Perhaps a stroke caused by the stress of the great shock he received.