​ tudy Guide

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde S

Chapter One: Story of the Door

New Characters

Setting

Theme

Symbols
Comprehension Questions
1. What type of person is Utterson? Why do “downgoing men” seek him out?
- Utterson was cold and lonely, yet lovable. “Downgoing men” seek Utterson out because
he is the last good acquaintance that they have and can count on.

2. Why do Enfield and Utterson go for a walk together every Sunday?

- Enfield and Utterson go for a walk together every Sunday to get away from the stress of
their jobs and relax and catch up.

3. What was of interest about the door that Enfield tells the story about? What did it look
like?
- Enfield recognizes the door from a memory he has. The door was beaten down, was apart
of a rough looking building with no windows, and was where many prostituted and lower
class people would hang around.

4. What did Enfield witness regarding Hyde and the small girl?

5. Why and how did the crowd manage to get Hyde to write the girl’s family a cheque?
What was odd about the cheque?

6. What is strange about Mr. Hyde according to Enfield?

Analytical Questions
1. Our first encounter with Hyde is an “eye-witness” account from Enfield. Why do you
think Stevenson chose to introduce Hyde in this way?
2. What adjectives and imagery are used to describe Hyde?

Evaluative Questions
1. How successful is this opening to the novel? Discuss the parts of the chapter that must
have affected its readers very deeply.