Mr Poole

• Mr Poole is Dr Jekyll’s butler and serves as a symbol of loyalty, duty, and the working-class voice of reason in the novella. As a long-time servant in Jekyll’s household, he embodies the Victorian ideal of the respectable domestic servant, but his character becomes increasingly important as the mystery of Jekyll and Hyde unfolds.
• "A well-dressed, elderly servant opened the door."

  • Suggests professionalism, respectability, and order.
  • This description contrasts sharply with the chaos and horror unfolding in the rest of the chapter. Stevenson uses this to reinforce the respectable Victorian façade of Jekyll’s household.
  • An “elderly servant” implies long-standing loyalty and tradition. It reflects the stable, upper-class respectability of Jekyll’s life, which is at odds with the moral corruption represented by Hyde. It also shows how deeply the theme of duality is embedded — even the staff represent order in contrast to the hidden chaos.
  • The servant “opening the door” becomes symbolic: it marks the transition between the outward respectability of Jekyll’s world and the internal horror Hyde represents. In Jekyll and Hyde, doors often symbolise the barrier between public and private selves — here, the servant becomes the gatekeeper between the two.
• “Hold your tongue!” Poole said to her, with a ferocity of accent that testified his own jangled nerves.

  • Imperative Command – The sharp, commanding tone shows Poole's loss of composure, which is unusual for a typically composed servant. A servant speaking so harshly shows the breaking of normal social rules under pressure, just as Jekyll does.
  • It also reflects the urgency and tension of the moment — he can’t bear distraction or panic from others.
  • Emotive Language - “Ferocity” shows intensity and aggression, surprising in a man like Poole. Reveals how deeply fear and anxiety have affected him.
  • Jangled nerves” – Metaphor Suggests that his nerves are on edge, like an out-of-tune instrument — a loss of internal harmony.
  • Reinforces the Gothic atmosphere of mounting dread and psychological disturbance.
• “He begged Mr Utterson to follow him.”

  • Verb -The word “begged” implies urgency, desperation, and even fear. His pleading highlights his emotional distress.
  • This is significant because Poole, as a servant, normally maintains formality and restraint. Begging suggests that the situation is beyond ordinary concern.
  • Normally, Utterson (a lawyer and gentleman) holds authority. Poole’s desperation causes a momentary reversal of this class dynamic — a servant taking charge out of fear.
  • Reflects how Gothic horror destabilises Victorian social order.
• "I think there’s been foul play."

  • Euphemism – The phrase “foul play” is a euphemism for murder or violence, making Poole's fear feel more sinister and ominous.
  • Stevenson keeps it deliberately vague to heighten suspense — we don’t know what has happened, but we know it’s serious.
  • Tone – Fearful & Suspicious
  • This line shows Poole’s deep anxiety. He’s been observing something so unsettling in Jekyll’s behaviour that he believes a crime may have taken place.
  • For a loyal, obedient servant to suggest this shows how unnatural the situation has become.
• “Have I been twenty years in this man’s house to be deceived about his voice? No, sir.”“O sir,” cried Poole, “do you think I do not know my master after twenty years?”

  • Rhetorical Question - emphasises his certainty and emotional conviction.
  • Assert his certainty and long-standing loyalty to Jekyll.
  • It reveals his confidence in his intuition and deep familiarity with Jekyll — this isn’t just suspicion; it’s gut-wrenching certainty that something is terribly wrong.
  • Loyalty and Duty – His experience is meant to be infallible. He feels it’s his duty to act, even if it means confronting something horrific.
  • The exclamation “O sir” and “cried Poole” give the line an emotional, desperate tone.
  • Poole is emotionally shaken, driven by fear and concern for his master — this adds to the suspense.