Chapter 8 functions as perhaps the most traditional narrative Chapter in the novel. Most of the other Chapters present incidents: "Story [or Incident] of the Door," "Incident of the Letter," "Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon," and "Incident at the Window"; the other Chapters, similarly, give accounts of wills, what is reported in the newspapers, Dr. Lanyon's "Account," and finally Dr. Jekyll's own "Statement." In contrast, this Chapter flies along in its narrative sequences with such varied activities as the gathering of forces within Jekyll's house (and note how frightened all the servants are: some, like the maid, succumb to hysterics; likewise, all stand "huddled together like a flock of sheep"). They are terrified of what Mr. Hyde stands for and are afraid that he might appear. Then, in swift succession, there is the breaking down of Jekyll's door, the discovery of the dead body of Edward Hyde, the frantic search for Dr. Jekyll, the discovery of the new will, the new note, and Dr. Jekyll's final statement. In other words, whereas many of the other Chapters concern themselves with only one single incident, this Chapter is crowded with many incidents.
The beginning of the Chapter is rather slow because the distraught Poole is not educated enough to convince Utterson of the seriousness of the strange events occurring in Dr. Jekyll's laboratory. We should note the long, laborious method by which Utterson is finally convinced. That is, each time Poole offers some information, Utterson is able to offer some rational explanation; he sees the faithful Poole as merely a superstitious servant.
