The Gothic Novel: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — Test
Question 7 • English Language Arts 12
Read the passage from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . The rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away; he was visibly balder and older; and yet it was not so much these tokens of a swift physical decay that arrested the lawyer’s notice, as a look in the eye and quality of manner that seemed to testify to some deep-seated terror of the mind. What internal conflict is implied by Lanyon’s illness?
Answer
A
Lanyon feared that Jekyll would kill him before he could say anything.
B
Lanyon worried about whether Utterson would prove trustworthy.
C
Lanyon struggled with the burden of the information he had about Jekyll.
D
Lanyon fought with Jekyll over whether to tell Utterson anything.
Explanation
Lanyon’s illness is linked not just to physical decline but to “some deep-seated terror of the mind.” This suggests he is struggling with the horrifying knowledge he has about Jekyll and the burden of keeping or confronting that information. The passage does not indicate that he fears Utterson is untrustworthy, expects Jekyll to kill him, or argued with Jekyll about telling Utterson.
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