Key Characters - Poole and Exam Preparation
Poole might seem like just a servant, but he's actually crucial to the story's resolution. His long service to Jekyll means he knows his master's every movement, making him the perfect witness to realise something's seriously wrong. His quote "I believe in my heart that there has been murder done" shows his growing suspicion.
The good versus evil theme runs through Poole's character as his loyalty shifts from his employer to helping Utterson uncover the truth. His behaviour becomes increasingly "uncivilised" as Jekyll's situation deteriorates, reflecting Victorian anxieties about social order breaking down.
For your exams, typical questions will give you a 30-line extract and ask you to explore how Stevenson uses specific techniques to create certain effects. The key is starting with a thesis statement about the whole text, not just diving into the extract.
Remember the assessment objectives: AO1 focuses on your personal response with quotations, AO2 analyses language and structure, and AO3 connects the text to its Victorian context. Don't just identify individual words - link them to broader themes and Stevenson's overall intentions.
Exam Tip: Strong responses begin with an overarching thesis about the whole novel, then use the extract to support broader arguments about themes and techniques.