Question

story: dr. jekyll and mr. hyde

1. why does the officer find that creating \handbills\ (wanted posters) is more difficult than he had anticipated?

discussion question

1. discuss what the details of this chapter say about mr. hyde’s character. some things to think about in your answer include mr. carew’s reputation, and his actions before the incident, the things found on carew’s body, the author’s description of mr. hyde, and the description of mr. hyde’s housekeeper.

Explanation:

For question 12: In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, very few people can give a clear, consistent physical description of Mr. Hyde—witnesses disagree on key details of his appearance, making it impossible to create an accurate, recognizable wanted poster.
For the discussion question:

1. Mr. Carew's spotless, well-respected reputation emphasizes Hyde's unprovoked, monstrous brutality, as he murdered a harmless, upstanding man without cause.
2. The letter from Jekyll on Carew's body links Hyde to Jekyll, hinting at Hyde's hidden connections and Jekyll's complicity, while also showing Hyde targeted Carew deliberately.
3. Carew's calm, polite demeanor before the attack highlights Hyde's sudden, irrational violence, framing him as a creature of pure, unprovoked evil.
4. Hyde's housekeeper's cold, fearful obedience to him reveals his ability to dominate and intimidate others, showing he is cruel and controlling.

Answer:

1. Creating the handbills is harder because no witness can agree on a clear, consistent physical description of Mr. Hyde, so an accurate wanted poster cannot be made.
2. - Hyde’s unprovoked murder of the universally respected Mr. Carew establishes him as a violent, monstrous figure capable of destroying innocent, upstanding people without motive.

• The letter from Dr. Jekyll found on Carew’s body connects Hyde to the respected Jekyll, hinting at a hidden, secret bond and suggesting Hyde has access to resources and influence that shield him.
• Carew’s gentle, polite behavior before his death contrasts sharply with Hyde’s sudden, vicious attack, emphasizing Hyde’s unpredictable, purely evil nature.
• Hyde’s housekeeper’s terrified, obedient attitude toward him reveals he is a cruel, controlling person who instills intense fear in those around him.