Evil has been unleashed.
Learning Objective: to write a short persuasive response that gives
evidence supporting one’s opinion
Act I
Scene 1
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The English pound is a form of currency, like the American dollar.
SD1: Gabriel Utterson walks with his cousin Rebecca Enfield down a cobblestone street in London.
Enfield: I cherish our Sunday walks, Gabriel.
Utterson: Indeed, they are the jewel of my week.
SD2: They approach a rundown two-story building. It stands out on the otherwise charming block.
SD1: The building has no windows. The door lacks a knocker.
Enfield: Have you ever noticed this building?
Utterson: Why, yes, actually. It’s the back door into—
Enfield (distractedly) : I saw the strangest thing here the other day.
Utterson: Oh? And what was that?
Enfield: A man was charging down the sidewalk, and a small child was walking toward him. Well, the man just trampled right over her!
Utterson: How awful!
Enfield: It was. The poor girl was sprawled on the ground, crying. I comforted her while others held the scoundrel until the girl’s parents arrived. She wasn’t hurt, thankfully. But we told the man he must pay for his crime or we would make his name stink across London!
Utterson: Did he?
Enfield: Yes. He went into that ugly building and came back with a check for 100 pounds.
Utterson: That building? You are sure?
Enfield: Positive. But the most unusual thing was the way he looked. I can’t describe it, but . . . he chilled me to the bone.
Utterson: Do you recall his name?
Enfield: Hyde. Mr. Edward Hyde. But it was odd. His check had a different name—Dr. Henry Jekyll.
Utterson: Oh, dear.
Enfield: What’s wrong?
Utterson: Jekyll is one of my clients—and an old friend. He has a laboratory in his house; that door is a back entrance to it. I wonder what sort of trouble he’s mixed up in.
Scene 2
SD2: The lights come up on a cluttered study. Thick books line the shelves. A large wooden desk is strewn with papers.
SD1: Utterson rushes in and goes to his safe, which is crammed between books on the shelf.
SD2: He opens the safe and pulls out a file.
Utterson (reading ): “The Last Will and Testament of
Dr. Henry Jekyll.”
SD1: Utterson begins pacing.
Utterson (reading ): “In case of the death, disappearance, or unexplained absence of Dr. Henry Jekyll, all his possessions shall pass into the hands of his friend . . . Edward Hyde.” (to himself) I knew I’d heard that name before. Why would Jekyll leave all his belongings to this awful Mr. Hyde?
SD2: Utterson reaches for his coat.
Utterson: Well, if he is Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.
What Could Go Wrong?
The late 19th century, when this story takes place, was a time of scientific and technological advancement. Doctors were performing medical procedures that had never been done before. Humans were traveling at high speeds on new railroads. Electric lights were illuminating homes and factories. But some people feared the consequences of all this progress—and what might happen if we interfered with nature. How does this story reflect those fears?
Scene 3
SD1: Utterson is standing outside the same decrepit building from Scene 1 when a man approaches.
Utterson: Mr. Hyde? I am Mr. Utterson—
Hyde: Never heard of you.
SD2: Hyde begins fiddling with the lock.
Utterson: Why are you hiding your face?
SD1: Hyde slowly turns toward Utterson.
SD2: Utterson gasps at the ghastly sight.
Hyde: How do you know my name?
Utterson: We, um, have a friend in common.
Hyde: Ha! I have no friends.
Utterson: What about Dr. Henry Jekyll?
Hyde: Jekyll never told you about me, you stinking liar!
SD1: With a cackling laugh, Hyde flings open the door, hurries in, and slams it shut.
Scene 4
SD2: The lights rise on the entryway to Dr. Jekyll’s elegant townhouse. The sounds of guests talking and laughing in the dining room can be heard.
SD1: Utterson walks through the front door.
SD2: Jekyll’s butler, Mr. Poole, takes Utterson’s coat.
Utterson: Poole, do you happen to know a man named Edward Hyde—a friend of Dr. Jekyll’s?
Poole: Why, yes, sir.
Utterson: The other day, I saw him enter the doctor’s laboratory through the back door.
Poole: Mr. Hyde has his own key.
Utterson: Dr. Jekyll must have a lot of trust in him.
Poole: Yes, sir. We all have orders to obey Mr. Hyde.
SD1: Utterson frowns.
Utterson: Why is that?
SD2: Before Poole can answer, Jekyll walks in.
Jekyll: Utterson, my dear man! So good to see you. Come, it’s time for dinner.
Scene 5
SD1: Jekyll and his guests sit at an elegant dining table. The room is bathed in candlelight.
SD2: The mood is festive, with guests chatting cheerfully while they eat.
Jekyll: . . . and so, I am proud to announce that the new Dr. Jekyll’s Home for Lost Children will open this week !
SD1: The guests applaud.
Mrs. Bates: Bravo, Henry! You continue to outdo yourself in your charity work.
Mr. Bates: Not to mention all the food you give to the poor.
Lanyon: Very admirable. But Henry, you must also tell us about your latest experiments.
Mr. Bates: Yes, yes! What are you working on in your lab?
Jekyll: Oh, I wouldn’t want to bore everyone.
Mrs. Bates: Don’t be ridiculous. We’re fascinated!
Mr. Bates: Come now, what’s London’s most brilliant scientist up to?
Jekyll: Well, it’s, ah, complicated. But . . . would you agree with me that all people are a mix of both good and evil? That it’s a delicate balance?
Mrs. Bates: I’m not sure I’d go that far. But yes, all people are capable of both good deeds and bad deeds—at least to some degree.
Mr. Bates: What degree of “bad” would you consider forgetting my birthday last week, my dear?
All Guests: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Mr. Bates: This is hardly groundbreaking research, Henry.
Jekyll: What I am trying to say is that I am studying the human mind—well, human nature, actually.
Mr. Bates: Oh, but we know all about human nature! For example, it is human nature to be so focused on planning a trip to the seaside that you forget the birthday of your beloved husband!
All Guests: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Jekyll: What I have been wondering is: What if you could extract the evil—release it—so that you could be only good?
Lanyon: That sounds like unscientific balderdash.
Jekyll: Is it?
Mrs. Bates: All I know is that I shall never forget my husband’s birthday again!
Jekyll (with a smile) : I am sure of it.
SD2: The merry dinner continues. Utterson, seated next to Jekyll, leans over and whispers.
Utterson: Henry, we must discuss your will.
Jekyll: Again?
Utterson: I have heard some rather horrifying rumors about that Mr. Hyde.
Jekyll: I will not change my will.
Utterson: You can trust me. I can help you. Whatever you owe this Hyde—
Jekyll: My dear Utterson, put your good heart at rest. The moment I choose, I can get rid of Mr. Hyde. Now, please, this is a private matter.
Utterson: I suppose you are right.
Jekyll: Listen, Hyde told me you saw him. I fear he may have been rude. But I have great interest in that man, however odious he may be. Promise you will look after him if anything should happen to me, just as my will says?
Utterson (reluctantly): All right, I promise.
Act II
Scene 1
SD1: One year has passed.
SD2: At a police station, a woman speaks to a detective.
Newcomen: What happened first?
Hawkins: I was sitting by my window. It was a foggy night, but peaceful. In the moonlight, I saw Sir Carew coming down the block. Then I saw . . . the other man.
Newcomen: Hyde?
Hawkins (shivering ): Yes. I knew it was Mr. Hyde. I had seen him before. . . . He has a face you don’t forget. There’s something disturbing about it.
Newcomen: Please, go on.
Hawkins: Well, suddenly, Hyde became very angry. He started stamping his feet, then striking Sir Carew with his cane, furiously—like a wild beast! Carew fell, and Hyde kept hitting him. Then the cane split, and Hyde ran off. I called the police immediately. Oh, it was awful, Inspector!
Newcomen: Thank you, Miss Hawkins. This is useful information. You may go.
SD1: Utterson walks in as Hawkins leaves.
Newcomen: Ah, Mr. Utterson. I suppose you heard about the murder. It was Sir Danvers Carew, the politician.
Utterson: Very tragic indeed.
Newcomen: I called you here because Sir Carew had your business card in his pocket.
Utterson: Yes, Sir Carew was my client.
Newcomen: Do you also happen to know a Mr. Hyde?
Utterson: Hyde?! (collecting himself ) I’ve . . . heard of him.
Newcomen: An eyewitness claims Hyde is the murderer. We also found the murder weapon, or half of it anyway. (holding up the broken cane) What’s wrong, Mr. Utterson? You’ve gone quite pale.
Utterson: I . . . I . . . Have you found this Mr. Hyde?
Newcomen: Not yet, but we will.
Scene 2
SD2: Later that day, Utterson bursts into Jekyll’s office.
Utterson: Have you heard what happened to Sir Carew?
Jekyll: Yes. Ghastly business.
Utterson: Henry, the police showed me the murder weapon. I know you gave Hyde that cane, because I gave it to you as a gift years ago. Now where is he?
Jekyll: He’s gone. I’ve received a letter from him just today. He promises never to be heard from again.
Utterson: But he is a murderer! I don’t understand how you can be so calm!
SD1: Jekyll says nothing. Exasperated, Utterson storms past him toward the front door.
SD2: On his way out, Utterson sees Poole.
Utterson: Poole, I know Dr. Jekyll received a letter today. Do you recall what the messenger looked like?
Poole: I am sorry, Mr. Utterson. We’ve had no letters today.
Scene 3
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This play is based on a story by Robert Louis Stevenson. The idea came to him in a dream. The story was a megahit when it debuted in 1886 and is still widely read today.
SD1: Utterson is once again walking with his cousin through the streets of London. Dense fog hangs in the air.
Utterson: The police are offering a substantial reward for Mr. Hyde, but he seems to have vanished. Strangely, so too has Dr. Jekyll. He has not hosted a dinner party in weeks.
SD2: They pass by Jekyll’s house.
Enfield: Look, up in the window: Isn’t that Dr. Jekyll?
Utterson: Yes! That’s his laboratory window. (calling up) Henry ! It’s been so long. How are you?
Jekyll: Oh, I am very low, Utterson.
Utterson: You stay indoors too much. Come walk with us.
Jekyll: I’d like to, but it’s impossible. You see—oh, no!
SD1: A look of terror passes across Jekyll’s face.
Jekyll: Not again! NOOOOOOOO!
SD2: Jekyll moves away from the window.
Utterson: Henry?! Let us in! Let us help you!
Jekyll (shouting from inside): Go away!
Enfield (gently): It seems he wants to be left alone.
SD1: Utterson nods reluctantly, and they walk away.
Scene 4
SD2: The next night, Poole shows up at Utterson’s door.
Utterson: Poole! What brings you here?
Poole: Something has gone wrong. You must come!
SD1: It’s a cold and windy night. Poole and Utterson hurry through the empty streets.
SD2: Once inside Jekyll’s house, Poole leads Utterson to the laboratory door.
Poole: Mr. Utterson is here to see you, Doctor !
Jekyll (in a strange voice): Tell him I cannot see anyone!
Poole (whispering): That is not Dr. Jekyll’s voice.
Jekyll: Aaaagh!
Utterson: Henry, please, let us in!
SD1: Silence.
Utterson: Poole, do you have a key? We must get in there!
SD2: Poole unlocks the door and flings it open.
SD1: The lab is in shambles, with broken glass and scientific equipment strewn about.
SD2: And in the middle of the room stands none other than Mr. Hyde.
Utterson: What have you done with Dr. Jekyll?
Hyde: Your precious Dr. Jekyll is gone—forever!
Poole: What do you mean gone?
SD1: A hideous sneer spreads across Hyde’s face.
SD2: Then he snatches the key from Utterson’s hand and runs out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
Poole: Stop!
SD1: Poole runs to the door, but it is locked.
SD2: As Poole struggles with the door, Utterson notices an envelope amidst the chaos.
SD1: He opens it and begins to read.
Jekyll (voice offstage): Dear Utterson, in all of us, there is both good and evil. I wondered: What if I could separate myself into two? My evil side could enjoy itself, and my good side could be pure—completely free of corruption.
SD2: Utterson’s brow furrows.
Jekyll (voice offstage): I created a potion that transformed me into an embodiment of my evil side. As Hyde, I felt powerful—gleefully unrestrained by the laws of morality.
SD1: Utterson gasps.
Jekyll (voice offstage): But when Hyde murdered Carew, I vowed never to transform again. For a while, all was well. Then my dark side grew stronger. I started turning into Hyde uncontrollably.
SD2: Poole finally succeeds in opening the door and runs out. Utterson, his face twisted into an expression of horror, continues to read.
Jekyll (voice offstage): Soon I ran out of the potion that would turn me back into my good self. I am not able to make more; there is a key ingredient I cannot find. The next time I turn into Hyde, it will be forever. I cannot predict what will become of Hyde. I can only say that by the time you read this letter, Henry Jekyll will be no more.
SD1: Outside, a bright flash of lightning is followed by a boom of thunder. Heavy rain begins to fall as the lights slowly fade.
Writing Prompt
Dr. Jekyll attempted to make himself completely good. Do you think he succeeded? Answer this question in a short response. Give evidence to support your opinion.
This play was originally published in the October 2022 issue.
Essential questions: Is humankind inherently good or inherently evil? What responsibility do we have when developing new technology? How can stories from the past be relevant today?
1. PREPARING TO READ (20 MINUTES)
Do Now: Anticipation Guide (5 minutes)
Project the Theme Anticipation Guide on your whiteboard or share the Google Form version with each student (both available in your Resources tab). Have students decide whether they agree or disagree with each statement, then discuss. After reading the play, ask students to share whether any of their answers have changed and, if so, why. You could also have them complete the Theme Anticipation Guide as one of the characters.
Preview Vocabulary (5 minutes)
2. READING AND DISCUSSING (45 MINUTES)
Break students into groups to discuss the following close-reading and critical-thinking questions.
Close-Reading Questions (15 minutes)
Critical-Thinking Questions (10 minutes)
3. SKILL BUILDING AND WRITING (30 MINUTES)
4. CONNECTED READING
