The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Ch 1

[Silver]

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

[Silver]

While someone trampling over a child is a horrible does the viewing crowed over react to the incident? He is described as being like Satan and does seem to inspire malevolence in others around him.

What is it about him that makes others loath him so much just to look upon him?

Is there any particular significance in the oddity of the acquaintanceship between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield?

[Everyman]

It was a very different opening than I had expected.

[Everyman]

Silver wrote: "Is there any particular significance in the oddity of the acquaintanceship between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield? "

I haven't seen any yet. But I didn't find their friendship a unusual as their acquaintances seemed to. From the description:
It was a nut to crack for many, what these two could see in each other, or what subject they could find in common. It was reported by those who encountered them in their Sunday walks, that they said nothing, looked singularly dull, and would hail with obvious relief the appearance of a friend. For all that, the two men put the greatest store by these excursions, counted them the chief jewel of each week, and not only set aside occasions of pleasure, but even resisted the calls of business, that they might enjoy them uninterrupted.

it seemed to me a time they could relax and be quietly alone while still in company. I understand this. My wife and I can spend a whole evening reading in the living room and say not a word to each other, but I am still glad for he company and presence of another person. Even though we would probably still have said nothing all evening, it felt much lonelier and bleaker on those evenings when she had to go out to visit her mother in the convalescent center and I was there reading alone.

[Silver]

Everyman wrote: "It was a very different opening than I had expected."

I do think that it is interesting how the story is revealed through these two characters whom do not seem to have any direct relationship to Mr. Hyde, but just perchance happened to witness this rather strange event take place.

And I wonder at the significance of the key and Mr. Hyde having a key to this door, of which Mr. Utterson at fist was doubtful of his possessing and thought Mr. Einfield must be mistaken.

I had read this story once long ago, but I don't recall much of the actual details, it is interesting reading it again.

[Silver]

Everyman wrote: "I haven't seen any yet. But I didn't find their friendship a unusual as their acquaintances seemed to. From the description:"

Because this story does deal with the nature of doubles, I wondered if that theme might carry out within other characters in the story in some way.

Though I do not think we are really given very much information about Mr. Enfield to really be able to compare and contrast the differences or similarities in his personalty with that of Mr. Utterson. Other than the fact that we are told they do not have much in common with each other.

[Frances, Moderator]

I am intrigued by the layering device used in this opening chapter-first we learn of Mr Utterson the lawyer, then we hear about his relationship to his friend Mr Enfield, who then starts to tell us a story about Mr Hyde. Is there another layer to get through?

This reminds me a bit of Frankenstein which is set up as a tale within a tale within a tale.

[Linda2]

I think James' The Turn of the Screw has a 3rd layer. Two layers is common in Victorian ghost and horror stories, supposedly giving the story credibility.

[Deborah, Moderator]

Everyman wrote: "Silver wrote: "Is there any particular significance in the oddity of the acquaintanceship between Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield? "

I haven't seen any yet. But I didn't find their friendship a unusu..."

It says they were distant kinsmen, which makes me believe there is nothing odd about their friendship.

[Deborah, Moderator]

I too was surprised at the opening. It's been many years since I read it. I think we are so comfortable knowing the stories from movies that we forget the actual details of the story.

I was a bit surprised over the strong reaction of the crowd. We are told the child is more scared than hurt. Perhaps the crowd is reacting to that sense of malevolence.

[Everyman]

Deborah wrote: "It says they were distant kinsmen, which makes me believe there is nothing odd about their friendship. "

Ah, yes, I had forgotten that. Thanks. I agree.