Examples Of Lanyon Passage

Lanyon Passage Essay Example
This passage is significant in the novel for the sudden changes which are revealed in the characters of Lanyon and Jekyll, which are as yet inexplicable for the reader. In the preceding chapter the reader has learned of the connection between the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde, with Guest noticing that they are identical, yet 'differently sloped '. This chapter, therefore, comes as a shock to the reader, as there has been nothing to suggest why Lanyon should so suddenly fall ill, nor why Jekyll should decide to 'lead a life of extreme seclusion '. Later in the novel the reader will discover that it was Jekyll 's relapse into the form of Hyde while comparing his 'active goodwill ' to the 'lazy cruelty ' of those

The use of a letter is effective in creating suspense because, were the communication face-to-face, the reader might be better able to judge for themselves Jekyll 's behaviour. Because this letter comes from a man who has locked himself away, there is a strong suggestion that Jekyll is being, if not dishonest, then careful to present a public face in a certain way. Stevenson describes Jekyll 's letter as 'darkly mysterious ', developing the mystery which surrounds the 'all ' which Lanyon knows and now believes it better to escape. In another similarity to Lanyon, the first half of Jekyll 's letter is phrased in confident, certain terms: he issues instructions that 'we must never meet ', and tells Utterson that 'you must not be surprised '. However, the bland forcefulness of this language is replaced by much more mysterious, ominous imagery with which Jekyll concludes his letter. Just as Lanyon described his feelings in religious terms, so does Jekyll, speaking of 'punishment ', 'sinners ' and 'a place for sufferings and terrors '. The suddenness of this change, especially given that a week prior to this letter is confusing to the reader, but it is the evil hinted at in the imagery of 'sin ' and 'my own dark way ' (itself possibly also foreshadowing Jekyll 's later certainty that his only escape from Hyde will be in committing suicide) which builds suspense so effectively here. Moreover, the self-pity implied in Jekyll 's description of himself as 'the chief of sufferers ' is a new development in his character, and leads the reader to wonder what the nature of the 'sin ' is which Jekyll has committed and yet causes him to 'suffer ' so much