Mr. Utterson

WHO IS HE?

Mr. Utterson is a lawyer who serves as the main protagonist of the novel. Utterson is displayed to be the epitome of the Victorian gentleman. He is respectable, reputable and rational. He is the one who investigates the case. The reader experiences the novel from Utterson’s perspective, readers are being displayed a true portrayal of events and Utterson serves as a reliable narrator and helps build the mystery and suspense.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

Trustworthy & Loyal

Utterson keeps a very strong friendship with Jekyll even when he has doubts about his private activities. This demonstrates his loyalty to those he likes and respects

Respectable

Utterson is very aware of the public expectations of a reputable individual in his society. In public he maintains a serious demeanor and is very solemn.

Good friend → reputation & secrecy

Utterson is concerned with helping Jekyll and preserving his reputation, symbolizing the Victorian upper class obsession with public reputation. His loyalty to Jekyll and his concern for reputation leads to secrecy and silence

KEY MOMENTS

Chapter 1 (Story of the door)

Utterson and Enfield discuss Hyde trampling a little girl, the cheque and Hyde’s access to a door in Jekyll’s house

Chapter 2 (Search for Mr. Hyde)

Descriptions of Utterson’s standard life and first interaction with the safe, where he puts Jekyll’s will

Chapter 5 (Incident of the letter)

Utterson discovers Jekyll lied about “Hyde’s” letter and decides to keep it a secret

Chapter 6 (Remarkable incident of Dr. Lanyon)

Utterson puts Lanyons letter into the ‘inmost corner’ of his safe

Chapter 7 (Incident at the window)

Utterson and Enfield witness Jekyll turning into Hyde and agree to never discuss it

Chapter 8 (The Last Night)

Utterson and Poole break into Jekyll’s lab with a bat and find Hyde’s body and decide to keep the whole situation a secret

Quotes to use:

  • ‘the fanciful was the immodest’

  • ‘but it is plain and natural’ - what's wrong with Jekyll??

  • Jekyll ‘is plainly seized with one of those maladies that both tortue and