Question

In three to four sentences, explain which climactic moment you believe is the true climax of the story. Defend your response using specific details from the story.
Poole swung the axe over his shoulder; the blow shook the building, and the red baize door leaped against the lock and hinges. A dismal screech, as of mere animal terror, rang from the cabinet. Up went the axe again, and again the panels crashed and the frame bounded; four times the blow fell; but the wood was tough and the fittings were of excellent workmanship; and it was not until the fifth, that the lock burst and the wreck of the door fell inwards on the carpet.

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

He put the glass to his lips and drank at one gulp. A cry followed; he reeled, staggered, clutched at the table and held on, staring with injected eyes, gasping with open mouth; and as I looked there came, I thought, a change—he seemed to swell—his face became suddenly black and the features seemed to melt and alter—and the next moment, I had sprung to my feet and leaped back against the wall, my arms raised to shield me from that prodigy, my mind submerged in terror.

“O God!” I screamed, and “O God!” again and again; for there before my eyes—pale and shaken, and half fainting, and groping before him with his hands, like a man restored from death—there stood Henry Jekyll!

–The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,
Robert Louis Stevenson

Answer 1

The scene that includes Jekyll’s big reveal should be considered the true climax. This is the most important moment in the story because the reader finally knows that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person. This is also the moment of greatest tension and excitement because it defies logic.

Answer 2

The true climax of the story is the turning of the scientist into a beast of terror .Becoming the worst savage in the world while looking for a formula to overcome shyness and modesty has to be the climax.The change in personality not only is significant in the life of Dr Jekyll,  but subversive ..."He seemed to swell "..."...the features seemed to melt and alter..."The image creates the climax because it is the moment of truth in the story; the complete transformation into a creature of evil deeds, most of them outrageous.