Literary Elements

Figurative language is language that has meaning beyond the literal meaning. An example of a simile can be found in the last paragraph of page eight. The surrounding streets on the night of Mr. Utterson’s and Hyde’s meeting are “as clean as a ball-room floor”. The purpose of the simile is to compare the cleanliness of the streets to a floor of a ball-room. This means that the streets were pure and untouched. The clean streets help set the mood for the first meeting of Mr. Utterson and Hyde. For their first encounter, the streets are clean and quiet, representing the blank state of their relationship.

Elements of Historical Context

Middle-class people of the Victorian period lived in prosperity. A major part of their wealthy lifestyle involved spending money on lavish goods. Large houses, elaborate furniture, and fancy knickknacks served as displays of their wealth. Middle-class Victorians hired servants to assist them in throwing extravagant feasts. Members of the middle class enjoyed competing against each other in displaying their wealth and sophistication. In the novel, Dr. Jekyll possesses the characteristics of a wealthy middle-class Victorian. Dr. Jekyll is a very prosperous man who is well known for his charities. He has held two pleasant dinner parties so far in the novel that were attended by intelligent reputable men. The historical element is important because it helps the reader understand that the wealthy lifestyle of Dr. Jekyll was normal and not out of the ordinary.

Elements of Relationships

Mr. Richard Enfield and Mr. Utterson share a relationship that confuses many because they have little in common. Mr. Enfield is Mr. Utterson’s distant kinsman. They routinely take Sunday walks without ever making conversation with one another. Those who encounter Mr. Enfield and Mr. Utterson take note of their dull faces. However, these Sunday walks serve as the zenith of each week, bringing the two friends the utmost joy. They often have to cancel plans in order to take pleasure in the walks. The significance of their relationship is that it helps distinguish Mr. Utterson’s character. His relationship with Mr. Enfield serves as proof of his undemonstrative nature. The purpose in relation to the plot is the discovery of Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory. Other importance is that the discovery of the lab on their walk sparks Mr. Utterson’s interest in finding the identity of Hyde.

Literary Elements

A symbol is a literary element that represents something beyond itself. The building Mr. Enfield and Mr. Utterson come across in the second paragraph of page two is an example of a symbol. It symbolizes mystery and the unknown. The two story tall building contained only a door and absolutely no windows. There were obvious signs that it had been neglected for an extended period of time. The purpose of the building is that it prompts Mr. Enfield to recall his strange connection to the building. His story of Hyde begins Mr. Utterson’s journey of finding out Dr. Jekyll’s relationship with Hyde. The meaning of the building symbolizes the beginning of Mr. Utterson’s investigation.