Poole's Loyalty and Fear

The butler's devoted service to Jekyll, his growing fear, and his role in the final revelation.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Faithful Servant

The Faithful Servant A Long Service Poole has been Jekyll's butler for twenty years. He knows his master's habits and is devoted to him. He obeys the orders to treat Hyde as a master. The First Signs of Trouble Poole notices that Jekyll has become more secluded. He sees that the doctor is distressed, but he does not yet understand the cause. He reports to Utterson that Jekyll is out of spirits. The Growing Suspicion He begins to suspect that something is wrong when he sees the masked figure in the laboratory. He tells Utterson that the creature is not his master.

The Desperate Plea

The Desperate Plea A Visit to Utterson Poole, unable to bear the fear any longer, goes to Utterson's house. He is trembling and insists that something is wrong. He leads Utterson to the square. The Revelation He tells Utterson about the strange orders for drugs, the weeping from the cabinet, and the sight of the masked figure. He is convinced that Jekyll has been murdered. The Break-In Poole takes the axe and helps Utterson break down the door. He is brave but terrified. He is the one who finally opens the door to the truth.

The Aftermath

The Aftermath The Discovery of Hyde's Body Poole stands with Utterson as they find Hyde's body. He is shocked but also relieved that the mystery is over. He helps search the building for Jekyll. The End of Service Poole's role in the story ends with the revelation. He has been a faithful servant to the end, and he will probably leave the house now. His loyalty is both tragic and admirable. The Symbol of the Household Poole represents the ordinary world that is shattered by Jekyll's experiments. His fear and devotion are a mirror of the human cost of the tragedy.

throughout the story, before the last week

the last night

after the break-in