2.9 - Poole
Poole's role and characteristics
Poole serves as Dr Jekyll's loyal butler throughout the novella, embodying steadfast devotion despite increasingly bizarre events. His unwavering service to Jekyll highlights themes of loyalty and duty, even as Hyde's presence disrupts the household. As a minor character, Poole provides a grounded, practical viewpoint that contrasts with the more intellectual gentlemen like Utterson and Jekyll.
Key characteristics
- Loyalty - Poole remains dedicated to Jekyll, addressing him with respect and concern, as seen in his reluctance to abandon his post.
- Practicality - He focuses on everyday duties while noticing unusual details, such as strange noises from the cabinet.
- Discretion - Despite suspicions, he maintains professional silence until circumstances force him to act.
Contextual connection
Poole's loyalty reflects Victorian ideals of servant-master relationships, where domestic staff were expected to show absolute deference, yet Stevenson subverts this by giving Poole agency in uncovering the truth.
Representation of the working class
Poole represents the working-class perspective in a novella dominated by upper-middle-class professionals. His lower social status does not diminish his importance; instead, it allows Stevenson to explore how class boundaries can blur through personal bonds. Poole's observations offer insights that the educated characters miss, challenging the notion that wisdom is tied to social rank.
Ways Poole embodies working-class values
- Intuition over education - He senses danger instinctively, without relying on scientific or legal knowledge.
- Moral clarity - His refusal to fully accept Hyde as master shows ethical judgement unbound by class constraints.
- Cross-class alliances - By confiding in Utterson, he bridges social divides for the greater good.
Contextual connection
This portrayal critiques Victorian class hierarchies, influenced by Stevenson's own observations of Scottish social divisions, suggesting that moral insight often resides in the working classes rather than the elite. The novella's setting in late 19th-century London echoes growing debates about social reform, with Poole symbolising how working-class voices could challenge rigid structures, much like contemporary movements for workers' rights.
Moral intuition and key actions
Poole demonstrates strong moral intuition by recognising Hyde's unnatural presence and taking decisive steps to intervene. His courage in seeking Utterson's help prioritises ethical concerns over blind obedience, marking him as a figure of quiet heroism. In the climax, Poole actively participates in breaking down the cabinet door, directly contributing to the revelation of Jekyll's secret.
Significant actions
- Seeking assistance - Poole approaches Utterson with concerns about "foul play," showing proactive moral judgement.
- Confronting anomalies - He notes Hyde's "masked" voice and refuses to deliver messages without question.
- Climactic involvement - His practical use of an axe to force entry exposes the truth, underscoring his role in resolving the mystery.
Contextual connection
Poole's actions reflect Victorian anxieties about domestic unrest, drawing from real-life cases of household scandals that exposed upper-class hypocrisies to working-class witnesses.
Symbolic significance in the novella
Poole symbolises the potential for working-class individuals to possess greater moral insight than their social superiors, critiquing Victorian society's emphasis on status over humanity. Through him, Stevenson implies that true ethics stem from instinct rather than privilege, using Poole to highlight themes of duality and hidden truths. His presence underscores how overlooked figures can drive narrative resolution.
Symbolic elements
- Moral compass - Poole's intuition contrasts with Jekyll's flawed experiments, suggesting natural wisdom trumps scientific hubris.
- Class critique - He challenges hierarchies by proving essential to uncovering secrets the gentlemen ignore.
- Human instinct - His actions emphasise that morality is universal, not confined to education or rank.
Contextual connection
Influenced by Stevenson's Calvinist background, Poole represents a moral everyman, echoing literary traditions where servants expose upper-class follies, as in Gothic tales of the era. The character's role aligns with late Victorian social commentary, similar to works by Dickens, where working-class figures highlight inequalities amid industrial Britain's class tensions.