The Unraveling of Jekyll's Persona

The progressive disintegration of Henry Jekyll's identity as his control over the transformations weakens and Hyde takes over.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Involuntary Change

The First Involuntary Change Waking as Hyde After a night of pleasure in Hyde's form, Jekyll wakes up in his own bed but sees his hand transformed into Hyde's. He is horrified, realizing that the transformation has occurred without the drug. He rushes to the mirror and sees Hyde's face. A Terrifying Discovery He must now cross the house in Hyde's body to get the drugs. He manages to dress in oversized clothes and pass the servants, but the experience shakes him profoundly. He sees it as a warning from fate. The Beginning of the End This incident marks the first crack in Jekyll's power. He begins to suspect that the balance of his nature is shifting, and that Hyde is growing stronger.

The Struggle for Control

The Struggle for Control A Period of Abstinence Jekyll resolves to give up Hyde entirely. He leads a life of severity, doing good works and enjoying a clear conscience. The first edge of penitence wears off, and he begins to feel the longings of Hyde. The Fall Back into Temptation In an hour of weakness, he takes the drug again. This time, Hyde emerges with more fury and commits the murder. Jekyll is devastated, but the transformation has become a cycle he cannot break. The Slipping Hold Jekyll notices that it is becoming harder to stay in his own form. He must take the drug more frequently, and the transformations are accompanied by increasing pain and terror.

The Permanent Danger

The Permanent Danger Involuntary Transformation in the Park Sitting in Regent's Park, Jekyll is suddenly transformed into Hyde without warning. He is now a hunted murderer, and must use all his wits to get the drugs. He writes to Lanyon, and after a night of terror, he manages to transform back. The Constant Threat From that day, the transformation can occur at any moment. He is seized with premonitory shudders, and if he sleeps, he wakes as Hyde. He becomes a prisoner in his own body. The Desperate Dependence Jekyll needs the drug to remain himself, but the supply of the pure salt is running out. He sends frantic orders to chemists, but all samples are impure. He knows that the end is near.

The Final Confession

The Final Confession Writing the Statement Jekyll, using the last of the old powders, writes his full statement. He describes the entire history of his experiment, the moral decay, and the horror of his dual existence. He knows that after this, he will become Hyde permanently. A Last Glimpse of Himself He looks at his own face in the mirror, now sadly altered by the strain. He tastes the last of the drug, and knows that he will never think his own thoughts again. He seals the confession and prepares for the end. The End of Henry Jekyll He realizes that the doom is closing on both him and Hyde. He is indifferent to whether Hyde will die on the scaffold or by his own hand. He brings his life to an end, acknowledging that he has brought this upon himself.

two months before the Carew murder, after a night of adventure

after the Carew murder, during the two-month reformation

January, after the murder

the last week before the final transformation