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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson

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Student Question

Why does Dr. Jekyll give Utterson the letter?

Quick answer:

Dr. Jekyll gives Mr. Utterson a letter to reassure him that Mr. Hyde will no longer be a threat or influence, as the letter states that Hyde will not return. Utterson, Jekyll's lawyer, has been concerned about Hyde's negative impact due to the stipulations in Jekyll's will. The letter aims to alleviate Utterson's worries by suggesting that Hyde's presence in Jekyll's life is over.

Expert Answers

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I assume that you are asking about the letter that Dr. Jekyll gives to Mr. Utterson in Chapter 5, "The Incident of the Letter."

If that is what you are asking, the answer seems to be that Jekyll wants his lawyer to know or to believe that Mr. Hyde will not be coming around Jekyll anymore.  Utterson has been worried about Hyde's influence because of what is in Jekyll's will.

By showing Utterson this letter, Jekyll hopes to make him feel better because the letter says Hyde is never coming back.  That way he will never influence Jekyll again.

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