English Literature - Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde - Utterson

Front 1

Utterson is a man of reason

Back 1

. Utterson is a typically rational Victorian gentleman - he's "a lover of the sane and customary sides of life"

. He's a lawyer and he approaches the mystery in the same way he'd approach a case - He weighs up the evidence and tries to reach a balanced, unbiased evaluation of the facts

. He's unwilling to consider any explanation which threatens to upset his rational way of thinking - He concludes that Jekyll has locked himself in the cabinet because he's suffering from a disease, he think this is a "plain and natural" explanation, unlike Poole's murder theory

Front 2

Utterson becomes affected by the mystery

Back 2

. Utterson doesn't suspect a supernatural explanation, although he's aware that something strange is going on

. Enfield's story about Hyde gives Utterson nightmares - Utterson says that Hyde has "engaged or rather enslaved" his imagination instead of affecting him on a purely intellectual level

. Utterson feels "mental perplexity" when he meets Hyde for the first time - he's confused because it's impossible to use reason to make sense of something that has a supernatural explanation

. The memory of Hyde makes Utterson feel a "shudder in his blood" - The supernatural nature of Hyde is strong enough to affect Utterson's emotions, which he usually tries to control

Front 3

Utterson is curious about Hyde

Back 3

. Utterson feels "a singularly strong, almost an inordinate, curiosity" to see Hyde and he does everything he can to do so - he waits outside the door "by all lights and at all hours"

. Without Utterson's interest in the mystery, the reader would never get to the bottom of things

Front 4

Why does Utterson go to such lengths to uncover the truth?

Back 4

. To Utterson, maintaining reputation is very important, so he's shocked that Jekyll is willing to harm his reputation for hydre - Utterson wants to find out why he's doing this in order to help him

. Utterson is frustrated by the mystery surrounding Hyde and wants to use reason to solve it

. It's possible that Utterson sees something of his own darker side in Hyde and is strangely drawn to him - As the reader is also made to feel curious about the mystery surrounding hyde, Stevenson may be suggesting that we are all drawn to the darker side of life and can see the temptation of it

Front 5

Utterson represses his desires

Back 5

. Utterson is described as "austere" - he's strict with himself and doens't allow himself many pleasures, E.g he enjoys the theatre but hasn't been to one for twenty years

. He doesn't smile much and is "cold" and "dreary" - he has a more human side by doesn't let it show in his speech (Victorian gentlemen may have repressed their emotions)

. People enjoy his company because his "rich silence" is calming after the "strain" of making light-hearted conversation - he's a model of Victorian restraint

Front 6

Utterson is obsessed with reputation

Back 6

. Utterson wants to maintain respectability, order and propriety - Utterson call the sevants' distress at Jekyll's behaviour "very unseemly"

. He's aware of the importance of reputation, which is why he's so concerned for Jekyll's good name - after Carew's murder, Utterson's concern is the Jekyll's name might appear at the trial

. He doesn't gossip or go against his sense of restraint to discover the truth - he doens't read Lanyon's letter out of "professional honour", this partly hampers his ability to solve the mystery as he doesn't want to find something that will harm Jekyll's reputation

. The appearance of respectability hides a much darker truth about the reality of human nature

Front 7

Utterson is tolerant of a man's darker side

Back 7

. Although reputation is important to Utterson, he isn't judgemental

. He's loyal to those who get into trouble and tries to help them - he tells Jekyll that "Carew was my client, but so are you" - Even though Utterson plays by society's rules, he's understanding when people fall foul of them

. Although Utterson's past was "fairly blameless", he feels bad for what he views as the "many ill things" he's done - like Jekyll, Utterson sets himself high standards by avoiding what he sees as sinful behaviour

. He's been tempted to sin and feels a strange "envy" for those who can indulge in their misdeeds - but he doesn't want to harm his reputation so he feels grateful to have avoided committing more sins

. Utterson's human side shows itself in the "acts of his life" - his tolerance - If Victorian society was more tolerant of human behaviour, there would be less need to hide immoral desires