What does the direct characterization of Dr. Jekyll imply about …

English Questions
Short Answer
Step by Step Solution
English Questions

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. 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√¢¬Ä¬îa very strange one. It is one of those affairs that cannot be mended by talking.” The direct characterization of Dr. Jekyll implies that he is upset by Utterson’s persistence. resigned to discussing the will. offended by Utterson’s disrespect. bored by having the same old argument.

Short Answer

The main characters in “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” are Dr. Jekyll, who desires to separate his good and bad traits, and Mr. Hyde, his evil alter ego. Analyzing Dr. Jekyll’s characterization reveals his emotional turmoil through physical descriptions that indicate fear and anxiety, highlighting the tension between his dual identities and foreshadowing the outcomes of his experiments.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Characters

In “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” the main characters are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is a doctor who creates a potion to separate his good and bad traits, leading to his transformation into the morally corrupt Mr. Hyde. Recognizing the contrast between these two characters is essential for understanding the story’s themes of duality and morality.

Step 2: Analyze Direct Characterization

Direct characterization occurs when the author explicitly describes a character’s traits. In the excerpt, Dr. Jekyll’s emotional state is conveyed through specific details: “The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes.” This description reveals Jekyll’s distress and discomfort in response to Utterson’s inquiries, indicating that he is troubled rather than indifferent.

Step 3: Interpret the Emotional Impact

The physical description of Dr. Jekyll points to his upset state, illustrating how Utterson’s persistence affects him profoundly. Key elements of his reaction include:

  • The paleness of his face and lips suggests fear or anxiety.
  • The shadow around his eyes indicates a deep emotional disturbance.
  • Jekyll’s clear discomfort reveals his unwillingness to discuss the subject further.
This emotional response emphasizes the tension between Jekyll’s two identities and foreshadows the consequences of his experiments.

Related Concepts

Characterization

Defining how a character is described or presented by the author, including their traits, emotions, and physical appearance

Duality

A concept that represents the coexistence of two opposing aspects within a single entity, particularly in the context of good and evil

Emotional Impact

The effect that a character’s feelings and state of mind have on the narrative, influencing the reader’s understanding of their psychological and emotional struggles.

Table Of Contents
  1. Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. 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." The direct characterization of Dr. Jekyll implies that he is upset by Utterson's persistence. resigned to discussing the will. offended by Utterson's disrespect. bored by having the same old argument.

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