Classic Starts: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Study Questions

1. When Mr. Enfield tells Utterson his story, he is very mysterious about the owner of the house. Why do you suppose this is? Have you ever kept a secret from someone?

2. Dr. Jekyll’s will states that, upon his death or disappearance, everything he owns should go to Mr. Hyde. Do you think this was a strange request? What’s the strangest thing anyone has ever asked of you?

3. After killing Danvers Carew, Hyde returns home and destroys all of his papers. Why do you think he does this? Have you ever tried to hide or destroy evidence of something you shouldn’t have done?

4. In spite of his strange behavior, Utterson continues to defend Jekyll. Why do you think he does this? Do you have a friend that you would defend regardless of the situation?

5. Did you suspect that Jekyll and Hyde were actually the same person? Have you ever pretended to have a secret identity?

6. Jekyll claims that, after a time, changing into Hyde was beyond his control. Has anything ever happened to you that you couldn’t control? How did you deal with it?

7. Throughout the book, Utterson is given a number of letters and told not to read them until specific events occur. How does he react to this? Would you have been able to stop yourself from reading the letters?

8. Hyde says to Lanyon, “If you choose, I can leave…or I can stay and a new world of understanding will be opened up for you.” Why do you suppose Lanyon chose as he did? What choice would you have made?

9. Utterson initially thinks that Jekyll forged the note from Hyde. Why do you think he came to that conclusion? Have you ever made a wrong assumption?

10. Jekyll says that we are all two people. What do you think he means? Do you agree?

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