Chapter 7: At the Window
Which two characters are walking together when they see Dr. Jekyll at the window?
Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield.
Who visits Utterson because he is worried about Dr. Jekyll?
Poole.
This character goes to Utterson's house because he believes something terrible has happened.
Who is Poole?
Poole says the voice coming from the laboratory does not sound like Jekyll. Is this a fact, observation, or inference?
Observation. His conclusion that the person is not Jekyll is an inference.
What emotion does Stevenson mainly create during the window scene?
Suspense, fear, uneasiness, or anxiety.
Where is Jekyll when Utterson and Enfield speak to him?
He is sitting at one of the windows of his house/laboratory area.
What has the person inside the laboratory repeatedly been requesting?
A particular chemical/drug of sufficient purity.
These two characters witness Jekyll's disturbing transformation in expression at the window.
Who are Utterson and Enfield?
What clue about the person's physical appearance makes Poole suspicious?
The figure appears smaller/shorter than Jekyll.
Why might Stevenson end the window scene without explaining what Utterson and Enfield saw?
To preserve the mystery and increase suspense and curiosity.
Why does Jekyll say he cannot join Utterson and Enfield on their walk?
He says he would like to but cannot and is confined/staying inside.
Why does Poole believe the person inside the laboratory is not Dr. Jekyll?
He has seen the person's appearance/size and heard the voice, and he believes they do not match Jekyll.
This character tries to use reason and evidence before accepting Poole's suspicions.
Who is Utterson?
What do the repeated requests for a specific chemical suggest?
Something important depends on obtaining the correct chemical; the person inside is desperate to find a substance of the required quality.
How does the setting in Chapter 8 contribute to the mood?
The nighttime setting, strange house/laboratory, isolation, sounds, and secrecy create an ominous and threatening atmosphere.
What suddenly happens that causes Utterson and Enfield to leave in shock?
Jekyll's expression suddenly changes to one of terror/despair, and the window is abruptly shut.
What do Utterson and Poole discover after breaking into the laboratory?
They find Hyde dead, wearing clothes that are too large for him, while Jekyll is nowhere to be found.
This character has been desperately sending servants to different chemists searching for a specific substance.
Who is the person believed to be Jekyll / the person inside the laboratory?
After entering the laboratory, Utterson finds documents addressed to him. Why are these important to the mystery?
They provide new evidence about Jekyll's intentions and direct Utterson toward information that may explain what has happened.
Why is Poole especially important in Chapter 8?
His observations provide evidence that something is seriously wrong, and his concern motivates Utterson to investigate the laboratory.
How does Jekyll’s position at the window symbolize his situation at this point in the novel?
Jekyll appears trapped and separated from normal life. The window allows him to see and communicate with the outside world, but he remains confined inside, reinforcing his isolation and loss of freedom.
Give TWO pieces of evidence Poole uses to support his belief that the person inside the laboratory is not Dr. Jekyll.
Any two: the voice sounds different; the figure appears smaller/shorter than Jekyll; the person behaves strangely and avoids being seen; the desperate search for a particular chemical increases Poole’s suspicion.
This character initially tries to explain the mystery rationally and considers the possibility that Jekyll may be suffering from an illness that has changed his appearance. Who is it?
Who is Mr. Utterson?
At the end of Chapter 8, Utterson discovers a new will. What surprising change has been made, and why does this create another mystery?
Utterson discovers that he has replaced Hyde as Jekyll’s beneficiary. This surprises him because he does not understand why Jekyll made the change or why the document is there while Jekyll himself is missing.
Stevenson gives readers many clues in Chapters 7–8 but delays the complete explanation. What literary technique is he using, and what effect does it have on the reader?
Suspense / delayed revelation. Stevenson withholds important information while gradually revealing clues, making readers curious, anxious, and motivated to continue reading to solve the mystery.