An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 793 words)
fortnight later, by excellent good fortune, the doctor gave one of
his pleasant dinners to some five or six old cronies, all intelligent,
reputable men and all judges of good wine; and Mr. Utterson so
contrived that he remained behind after the others had departed. This
was no new arrangement, but a thing that had befallen many scores of
times. Where Utterson was liked, he was liked well. Hosts loved to
detain the dry lawyer, when the light-hearted and loose-tongued had
already their foot on the threshold; they liked to sit a while in his
unobtrusive company, practising for solitude, sobering their minds in
the man’s rich silence after the expense and strain of gaiety. To this
rule, Dr. Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite
side of the fire—a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with
something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and
kindness—you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson
a sincere and warm affection.
“I have been wanting to speak to you, Jekyll,” began the latter. “You
know that will of yours?”
A close observer might have gathered that the topic was distasteful;
but the doctor carried it off gaily. “My poor Utterson,” said he, “you
are unfortunate in such a client. I never saw a man so distressed as
you were by my will; unless it were that hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at
what he called my scientific heresies. O, I know he’s a good fellow—you
needn’t frown—an excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more of
him; but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant.
I was never more disappointed in any man than Lanyon.”
“You know I never approved of it,” pursued Utterson, ruthlessly
disregarding the fresh topic.
“My will? Yes, certainly, I know that,” said the doctor, a trifle
sharply. “You have told me so.”
“Well, I tell you so again,” continued the lawyer. “I have been
learning something of young 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.”
“Jekyll,” said Utterson, “you know me: I am a man to be trusted. Make a
clean breast of this in confidence; and I make no doubt I can get you
out of it.”
“My good Utterson,” said the doctor, “this is very good of you, this is
downright good of you, and I cannot find words to thank you in. I
believe you fully; I would trust you before any man alive, ay, before
myself, if I could make the choice; but indeed it isn’t what you fancy;
it is not as bad as that; and just to put your good heart at rest, I
will tell you one thing: the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde.
I give you my hand upon that; and I thank you again and again; and I
will just add one little word, Utterson, that I’m sure you’ll take in
good part: this is a private matter, and I beg of you to let it sleep.”
Utterson reflected a little, looking in the fire.
“I have no doubt you are perfectly right,” he said at last, getting to
his feet.
“Well, but since we have touched upon this business, and for the last
time I hope,” continued the doctor, “there is one point I should like
you to understand. I have really a very great interest in poor Hyde. I
know you have seen him; he told me so; and I fear he was rude. But I do
sincerely take a great, a very great interest in that young man; and if
I am taken away, Utterson, I wish you to promise me that you will bear
with him and get his rights for him. I think you would, if you knew
all; and it would be a weight off my mind if you would promise.”
“I can’t pretend that I shall ever like him,” said the lawyer.
“I don’t ask that,” pleaded Jekyll, laying his hand upon the other’s
arm; “I only ask for justice; I only ask you to help him for my sake,
when I am no longer here.”
Utterson heaved an irrepressible sigh. “Well,” said he, “I promise.”
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
The tendency to defend and protect someone who is harming us, becoming more defensive as the harm increases.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when someone defends harmful behavior while simultaneously asking others to manage its consequences.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone says 'I can handle it' while asking you to fix problems they created—that's the Jekyll-Hyde split in action.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will"
Context: Jekyll tries to deflect Utterson's concerns about the will with humor
This reveals that Utterson's worry has been obvious and ongoing. Jekyll's attempt to make light of it shows he's uncomfortable with the attention but also touched by his friend's concern.
In Today's Words:
I've never seen anyone as worried about my business as you are
"The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde"
Context: Jekyll insists he has control over the Hyde situation
This is classic denial language - claiming power over something that's clearly out of control. The confidence in his voice contradicts his physical reaction and later pleas for help.
In Today's Words:
I can end this whenever I want to
"I only ask for justice; I only ask you to help him for my sake"
Context: Jekyll begs Utterson to look after Hyde if something happens
The word 'justice' is telling - it suggests Hyde might be misunderstood rather than evil. Jekyll's protective instinct reveals a deep emotional connection he can't explain.
In Today's Words:
Just give him a fair chance and help him out because you care about me
"This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop"
Context: Jekyll tries to shut down the conversation about Hyde
This shows Jekyll's desperation to avoid the topic. He's trying to use their friendship to avoid accountability, a common tactic when people feel cornered.
In Today's Words:
I thought we weren't going to talk about this anymore
Thematic Threads
Denial
In This Chapter
Jekyll insists he can control Hyde while simultaneously begging protection for him
Development
Introduced here as active self-deception rather than simple ignorance
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you find yourself making excuses for someone's harmful behavior toward you.
Loyalty
In This Chapter
Utterson agrees to help Hyde despite his misgivings, purely out of friendship with Jekyll
Development
Builds on Utterson's earlier concern, showing how loyalty can become enabling
In Your Life:
You face this when your loyalty to a friend conflicts with what you know is right.
Control
In This Chapter
Jekyll claims he can 'be rid of Hyde' whenever he chooses, asserting false control
Development
Introduced here as Jekyll's primary delusion about his situation
In Your Life:
You might tell yourself you can quit a bad habit 'anytime' while never actually doing it.
Isolation
In This Chapter
Jekyll insists this is a 'private matter' that cannot be helped by others
Development
Develops from earlier secrecy into active rejection of help
In Your Life:
You might push away people trying to help when you're ashamed of your situation.
Contradiction
In This Chapter
Jekyll simultaneously claims control over Hyde while begging others to protect him
Development
Introduced here as evidence of Jekyll's fractured thinking
In Your Life:
You might notice yourself giving conflicting messages when you're not being honest about a problem.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Jekyll become so defensive when Utterson brings up Hyde, and what does his physical reaction (pale face, dark eyes) tell us?
analysis • surface - 2
Jekyll says he can 'be rid of Mr. Hyde' whenever he chooses, but then begs Utterson to protect Hyde. What does this contradiction reveal about Jekyll's mental state?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of someone defending a person or situation that's clearly harmful to them? What made it hard for them to see the truth?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Utterson's position—wanting to help a friend who keeps defending someone toxic—what approach would you take?
application • deep - 5
Why do people often become the strongest defenders of those who hurt them? What psychological need does this defense serve?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Defense Mechanism
Think of a situation where someone you know defended a person or relationship that seemed harmful to outsiders. Write a brief analysis of what the defender might have been protecting—their identity, their hope, their sense of control, or something else. Then consider what it would take for them to face reality without losing face.
Consider:
- •What would the defender have to admit about themselves if they acknowledged the harm?
- •What fears might be driving their need to protect this person or situation?
- •How could someone offer help in a way that doesn't threaten their sense of dignity or control?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you defended someone or something that others saw as harmful to you. What were you really protecting, and what finally helped you see the situation clearly?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 4: The Murder of Sir Danvers Carew
Nearly a year passes in relative quiet until London is shocked by a brutal crime that will shatter the uneasy peace. The violence is so savage and the victim so prominent that it captures the entire city's attention - and draws Utterson deeper into the mystery.
