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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson

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Student Question

Why do Mr. Enfield and Mr. Utterson agree to stop discussing Hyde's origins?

Quick answer:

Mr. Enfield and Mr. Utterson agree to stop discussing Hyde's origins after witnessing Dr. Jekyll's sudden, unsettling behavior at a window. The abrupt end to their encounter leads them to walk away in silence, likely due to the social norms of Victorian society, which discouraged speculation on such matters. The truth about Hyde is later revealed only to Utterson through Dr. Lanyon's letter and Jekyll's confession, leaving the reader to infer Utterson's reaction.

Expert Answers

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You are probably referrng to the afternoon when Mr. Enfield and Mr. Utterson were out walking and saw Henry Jekyll at the window.  In the middle of the conversation, Jekyll's face suddenly darkened and he quickly closed the window without barely saying good-bye to his friends.  Both Enfield and Utterson walk away in silence, each keeping his thoughts to himself about the strange occurrance. Neither probably wanted to speculate on the possible reasons for Jekyll's behavior, which would have been considered rude, especially in his position in Victorian Society.  Only Mr. Utterson ever learns the truth about Edward Hyde through Dr. Lanyon's letter and through Henry Jekyll's written confession.  The novella ends with the confession, so the reader can only guess Utterson's reaction to the revelation about Mr. Hyde.

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