1. Contrasting Sound: The wine bells produce two distinct sounds, a "clear, musical note" associated with the kind and respectable Dr. Jekyll and a "jarring, dissonant clang" associated with the wicked and impulsive Mr. Hyde. This contrast in sounds represents the clash between Jekyll's benevolent and malevolent sides.
2. Symbolic Shift: As the story progresses, the wine bells are used less frequently, signaling the dominance of Mr. Hyde's influence over Dr. Jekyll. The diminishing sound of the musical note and the increasing prominence of the jarring clang symbolize Jekyll's gradual transformation into Hyde.
3. Duality of Character: The wine bells represent the split nature of Dr. Jekyll's character. They emphasize the internal conflict and tension within him as he grapples with his desire for respectability and his fascination with the dark and primitive aspects of human nature.
4. Loss of Control: When Jekyll rings the wine bells to summon his butler Poole to bring medicine, the servant mentions that he has not been summoned in that way for some time. This highlights Jekyll's waning control over his transformation and the increasing unpredictability of his actions.
5. Final Reckoning: Near the end of the novella, when Dr. Jekyll is about to succumb completely to Mr. Hyde's dominance, the wine bells are silent, signifying the loss of Jekyll's identity. It underscores the irreparable nature of his transformation.
Overall, the wine bells in the novella serve as symbolic devices that mirror Dr. Jekyll's psychological struggle and the battle within him between good and evil, restraint and indulgence, and ultimately, the subversion of societal norms by the unrestrained forces of human nature.