Asked by bob

Read the excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"You stay too much indoors,” said the lawyer. "You should be out, whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This is my cousin—Mr. Enfield—Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your hat and take a quick turn with us.”

"You are very good,” sighed the other. "I should like to very much; but no, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not. But indeed, Utterson, I am very glad to see you; this is really a great pleasure; I would ask you and Mr. Enfield up, but the place is really not fit.”

How does this passage develop the theme "Secrets isolate people from those around them”?

Dr. Jekyll does not join his friends even though he would like to walk with them.
Mr. Utterson recommends to the doctor more fresh air and exercise.
Dr. Jekyll is unkind to Mr. Enfield, which is very offensive to his lawyer, Utterson.
Mr. Utterson is beginning to suspect strange behavior in Dr. Jekyll

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Answer: Dr. Jekyll does not join his friends even though he would like to walk with them.

Explanation: Jekyll’s repeated refusals (“quite impossible; I dare not,” “the place is really not fit”) show he’s holding something back that keeps him from normal social life. His secrecy and fear of exposure make him avoid friends despite wanting company, which illustrates how secrets isolate people. The other options are either true but not central to the theme (Utterson’s advice) or incorrect (Jekyll isn’t rude to Enfield; Utterson isn’t yet openly suspicious).