Lanyon is a well-respected and successful doctor, chapter 2
reveals a lot about his relationships with Utterson and Jekyll. His friendship
with Utterson goes back to when they were both 'old mates both at school and
college' (Chapter 2). They are 'thorough respecters of [...] each other'
(Chapter 2) who also enjoy each other's company. They share similar interests
and values as well as a common friend in Jekyll. However, a tension is
established early on when Lanyon confesses that he sees little of Jekyll,
despite what Utterson calls, 'a bond of common interest' (their profession)
(Chapter 2). it is "more than ten years since Henry Jekyll became too
fanciful" (Chapter 2) for Lanyon, who feels his former close friend went
"wrong in mind" (Chapter 2). Lanyon is scathing of Jekyll's
"unscientific balderdash" (Chapter 2) and discussion of this difficult
topic causes him to become very angry. He is in professional opposition to
Jekyll's ideas and methodologies, and is clearly identified as a man of
traditional and rational beliefs.
The description of Lanyon in Chapter 6 contrasts greatly
with that in Chapter 2. Whereas before he was 'a hearty, healthy, dapper,
red-faced gentleman, with a shock of hair' (Chapter2), he is now pale, drawn,
visibly balder and older. The difference could not be more striking. Having
witnessed Hyde's transformation, the formerly boisterous and theatrical Lanyon
is now a nervous and shrunken wreck, gladly awaiting death. Utterson notices a
deep-rooted terror in his friend and mistakenly believes Utterson knows he has
a terminal illness, ironically stating: "the knowledge is more than he can
bear" (Chapter 6).
It is true that Lanyon has learned something that has
overpowered and destroyed him. However, it is not related to his own health,
but the sight of Hyde as his features 'seemed to melt and alter' (Chapter 9)
becoming Jekyll. It is a vision that forces him to react with horror and
terror. This phenomena shatters Lanyon's views and understanding of the world.
Although he listens to Jekyll for an hour and sees the theory in action, even
as a scientist Lanyon is unable to accept or believe what has happened. This
could be interpreted as Lanyon failing to accept the darker aspects of his own
nature. Knowledge and its pursuit has been his profession and now it is his
ruin, as he admits "if we knew all, we should be more glad to get
away" (Chapter 6).
It is important to note, however, that Lanyon plays a very
significant role in his own downfall. While it is clear that he is deliberately
targeted by Hyde's scheme and feels a sense of duty to help a former close
friend, it is equally clear that his decision to observe Hyde change back into
Jekyll is completely his own. Hyde's offer is an honest one, warning that he
will be "blasted by a prodigy to stagger the unbelief of Satan"
(Chapter 9) and yet Lanyon chooses to watch, cynically stating that he has gone
too far to turn back. Hyde himself identifies "greed of curiosity"
(Chapter 9) as Lanyon's motivation. The outcome - Lanyon's ruin - is absolute.
As he says, he will never recover and nothing can be done to prevent his death.
1. Reread the description of the place where Lanyon
lives and how Utterson refers to his friend in Chapter 2. How does this create
the impression of a knowledgeable and important man?
2. What does the phrase "wrong in mind"
suggest about what Lanyon believes happened to Jekyll?
3. Do some research into Damon and Pythias, the two
characters from Greek mythology referred to by anyone Could this reference
suggest anything about his friendship with Jekyll?
4. Reread the description of Hyde changing back
into Jekyll in Chapter 9, starting from 'A cry followed...' to'... my mind
submerged in terror'. Why is this written in one long sentence?
5. Write a paragraph analysing how Stevenson's use
of language reinforces the dreadful impact that Lanyon's experience has had on
his life.
6. Analyse the language
used at the end of Chapter 9 to describe the effect of Hyde's transformation on
Lanyon's life.
