Importance of Secrecy in Jekyll and Hyde

Point >> Documents add mystery and tension, explore secrecy in the novella.

• "In the case of the decease of HJ... all his possessions were to pass into the hands of his 'friend and benefactor Edward Hyde'"
  • Confusion because Hyde is evil "fiend"
  • Keeps J's will in a "safe" - barrier to knowledge

• "HJ forge for a murderer!"
  • Assumption made by Utterson - secret is not revealed till end of novella
  • Swiftly puts it into his "safe" - barrier to knowledge

• "PRIVATE for the hands of G.J.Utterson ALONE"
  • Mystery and tension built
  • Barrier - "incase of predecease to be destroyed unread" and "not to be opened till the death or disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll" 
    • Labyrinthine - as soon as we reach conclusions more complications are added

Overall >> Mystery and tension are built because as soon as conclusions begin to form there are more secrets to be unveiled.

Point >> motif of windows and doors creates a mysterious atmosphere and presents secrecy.

• "Barred with iron"
  • Describes J's windows
  • Does not want anyone entering
  • Secrets held within
  • Trapped

• "Neither bell nor knocker"
  • Describes H's entrance
  • Presents a desire to avoid others 
  • Secrets being hidden inside

Overall >> By describing buildings in this way Stevenson foreshadows secrets being revealed creating a sense of mystery therefore building tension.

• Extra detail - Utterson smashing down door to cabinet symbolises the breakdown of J's wall of secrets.

Point >> gothic conventions are used throughout the novella to present secrecy and create a mysterious atmosphere.

• Fog - "fog began to lie thickly"
  • Used in partnership with secrecy 
  • Presented as J claims that he is "done with him (H)" which is untrue because he continues to turn into H
  • Fog presents lies and hides the truth
• "First fog of season"
  • Described in 'The Carew Murder Case'
  • Blankets event and hides the truth behind H's whereabouts 

• Night 
• 'The Carew Murder Case' - "full moon", 'The Last Night' and U's search for H - "fogged city moon"
  • Secrets are revealed and hidden at night

Overall >> Gothic conventions build tension by creating a mysterious atmosphere through secrecy.

Point >> The silence of others builds secrecy in the novella by increasing the tension.

• "Let us make a bargain never to refer to this again"
  • Want to protect reputation as many Victorian gentlemen (C) would have wanted at the time
  • Reader is unable to make conclusions and is suspicious of unexplained events

• Jekyll not revealing truth until his full statement
  • Had a "desire to carry his head high" yet wanted to be free to do as he pleased - "impatient gaiety of disposition"
  • Isolated from others - "stay down here and speak with you from where we are" (Window)
  • Presents secrecy because it shows how J never able to share his struggle.

• "I wouldn't speak of this note"
  • Choose to keep secrets from each other (not only J)
  • Causes U to make assumptions about J that steer the reader from conclusions

Overall >> the silence that the characters choose to oblige to causes for more secrets to be hidden and builds tension in the novella.

• Builds mystery by creating a labyrinthine effect where questions can never be answered
• Builds tension through mysterious atmosphere and added questions
• Makes the reader have to dig further
• Adds suspense to the delayed reveal