The setting is in the 1800s in England where the town was passing through hard times. In the story there are many places that are dark and foggy that is used to give readers a sense of darkness and evil when Hyde shows up. The story is not very specific about the exact time period or place because it wants readers to use their imagination. Even though this story takes place in the 1800s you can still imagine like if it was happening now in the present because the story is ahead of its time. So its mostly up to your own mind to imagine how the story would be in real life or in your time.