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From ‘Incident of the Letter’ – Mr Utterson has gone to see Dr Jekyll following Sir Danvers Carew’s murder - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 3
From ‘Incident of the Letter’ – Mr Utterson has gone to see Dr Jekyll following Sir Danvers Carew’s murder. Mr Utterson fears that Dr Jekyll may be hiding Mr Hyde. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:From ‘Incident of the Letter’ – Mr Utterson has gone to see Dr Jekyll following Sir Danvers Carew’s murder - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
How does Stevenson present Dr Jekyll’s laboratory and cabinet in this extract?
Answer
In this extract, Stevenson presents Dr Jekyll's laboratory as a once-attractive setting that has deteriorated. The phrase ‘across a yard which had once been a garden’ suggests that the garden was once beautiful, but is now neglected, reflecting a change in Jekyll’s life. The description of the building as ‘indifferently known as the laboratory or the dissecting-rooms’ indicates that it serves a dual purpose, hinting at the morally questionable experiments occurring within.
Utterson's impressions convey a sense of unease. He describes the laboratory as ‘dingy’ and ‘windowless’, creating a gloomy atmosphere. This allows the readers to feel the claustrophobic and foreboding nature of Jekyll’s work environment.
Additionally, the ‘large room’ filled with ‘glass presses’ and the ‘failing chimney’ contribute to the portrayal of a space that is neglected and possibly dangerous. The phrase ‘strange as he crossed the theatre’ further emphasizes this feeling of distortion and confusion in Jekyll’s world, as the laboratory has transformed from a place of learning into one of isolation and dark secrets. Ultimately, Utterson’s discomfort in this setting mirrors the themes of duality and repression that underpin the narrative.