Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 - Story of the Door

We are introduced to Mr. Utterson - a well-respected lawyer, an unsociable, boring man who nevertheless inspires a strange fondness in those who know him. He is loyal to his companions and possesses a tolerance for others, with acceptance for their wrongdoings. Despite his respectability, he has a curiosity for the motivations of criminals - which may link to the theme of repression.

Utterson nurtures a close friendship with Mr. Enfield, a distant relative and likewise a noble gentleman. They each look forward to their routine Sunday walks, which they consider as the 'chief jewel' of each week. 

Within this chapter, Utterson and Enfield are taking their regular stroll when they come across a neglected building which seems out of place. Enfield relates a story in connection with it. He was walking in the same neighbourhood one night when he witnessed a deformed man trample over a young girl. A large crowd had gathered, and they all obtained a mutual dislike for the man. He paid them off with £100, as they threatened to ruin his reputation, which he obtained upon entering the neglected building through its only door. The check bore the name of a reputable man and it turned out to be legitimate. Enfield refuses to reveal the name but believes that the man must have blackmailed him. That is where it retrieved its name of 'blackmail house'. The two men agree never to discuss the matter again - as gossip is disapproved of.

Chapter 2 - Search for Mr. Hyde

Utterson goes home to study Dr. Jekyll's will. It states that in the event of the death or disappearance of Jekyll, all of his property should be given to benefactor, Edward Hyde. This strange clause had long troubled Utterson and he is convinced that Hyde has some peculiar power of Jekyll. Seeking to unravel the mystery, he pays a visit to Dr. Lanyom - a friend of his and Jekyll's. But Lanyon has never heard of Hyde - which adds to Utterson's fears. 

Later that night, Utterson is haunted by nightmares in which a faceless man runs down a small child and in which the same terrifying figure stands beside Jekyll's bed and commands him to rise. Utterson cannot sleep because of his morbid curiosity and in order to satisfy this, he sets out on a mission to find Hyde himself. He visits blackmail house, where a dwarfish-looking man appears. Utterson introduces himself as a friend of Henry Jekyll's and asks to see his face so that he will know him if they meet again. Hyde compiles and Utterson is horrified and yet cannot explain his ugliness. 

After this encounter, Utterson pays a visit to Jekyll where he is admitted by Poole, but Jekyll is not at home. Poole tells Utterson that Hyde has a key to the laboratory and that all the servants have orders to obey him. The lawyer heads home, still worried.

Chapter 3 - Dr. Jekyll…