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How is Dr Lanyon introduced in the novella?
He is a reputable, rational scientist who rejects Jekyll’s metaphysical experiments, symbolising traditional Victorian science. (Chapter 2)
What does Lanyon symbolise?
He represents respectability, rationality, and material science; he acts as a foil to Jekyll’s experimental ambition. (Throughout)
How does Lanyon view Jekyll’s scientific work?
He dismisses it as ‘unscientific balderdash’, showing his commitment to reason and conventional science. (Chapter 2)
What does ‘Jekyll became too fanciful for me’ reveal?
The fricatives in ‘fanciful’ create a harsh tone, showing Lanyon’s firm rejection of Jekyll’s ideas. (Chapter 2)
How does Lanyon’s scientific approach differ from Jekyll’s?
Lanyon focuses on material science that coexists with religion, while Jekyll explores the metaphysical. (Throughout)
How does Lanyon act as a foil to Jekyll?
His rationality highlights Jekyll’s dangerous curiosity and moral decline. (Throughout)
What does Lanyon’s reaction to Hyde’s transformation show?
Witnessing it ‘shook the very fortress of identity’, destroying his worldview and causing his decline. (Chapter 9)
What does ‘icy pang along my blood’ reveal about Lanyon?
The metaphor shows his visceral horror at Hyde, undermining his rational confidence. (Chapter 9)
How does Lanyon demonstrate Victorian gentlemanly behaviour?
He ‘welcomed him with both hands’, showing warmth, politeness, and social respectability. (Chapter 6)
What does ‘I felt bound to do as he requested’ show?
Despite their disagreement, Lanyon remains loyal, fulfilling Jekyll’s instructions out of duty. (Chapter 9)
What is the significance of Lanyon’s death?
His collapse after witnessing the transformation shows the destructive power of Jekyll’s science. (Chapter 6)
How does Lanyon’s letter contribute to the narrative?
It provides a first‑person account that reveals the truth and heightens gothic tension. (Chapter 9)
What does Lanyon’s refusal to reconcile with Jekyll show?
He values integrity and rationality over friendship, emphasising his moral rigidity. (Chapter 6)
How does Lanyon’s relationship with Utterson function?
He trusts Utterson with his letter, showing mutual respect and reinforcing Utterson’s role as moral centre. (Chapter 6)
What does Lanyon’s vulnerability on his deathbed reveal?
It contrasts with his earlier strength, showing how Jekyll’s secret destroys even the rational. (Chapter 6)
What does Lanyon’s narrative reveal about Victorian fears?
His horror reflects anxieties about scientific advancement and the unknown. (Chapter 9)
