Analysis Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde

In Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll, in grave danger, writes a letter to his good friend Lanyon. With Jekyll’s fate in Lanyon’s hands, he requests the completion of a task, laying out specific directions for Lanyon to address the urgency of the matter. In desperation, Jekyll reveals the possible consequences of not completing this task through the use of emotional appeals, drawing from his longtime friendship with Lanyon, to the fear and guilt he might feel if he fails at succeeding at this task. Through Jekyll’s serious and urgent tone, it is revealed that his situation is a matter of life and death in which only Lanyon can determine the outcome. Jekyll begins his letter by mentioning his and Lanyon’s long-lasting friendship saying, “[Lanyon is] one of my oldest friends.” Believing that they rarely disagree, and that their friendship is a strong one, Jekyll asserts himself as kind and loving towards Lanyon using the words “Dear”, “affection”, and “sacrifice”, which appeal to Lanyon’s sense of friendship. Furthermore, as if Jekyll is about to request of a favor, his words sound desperate and pleading as he states that his “life, [his] honour, [his] reason, are
He writes that his“heart sinks and hand trembles” at the thought that Lanyon will fail to complete his request, revealing his fear and significant reliance on Lanyon to save him. To create guilt in Lanyon, Jekyll portrays the consequence of not completing his task as he will then suffer in the “blackness of distress” unless his is saved. In addition to this, he depicts Lanyon as a heroic figure saying, “[his] troubles will roll away”, placing emphasis on the gravity of the completing the request. Lastly, Jekyll’s final plea to “save [me]” portrays the ultimate distress and desperation that he