Chapter 1 - The Story of the Door Flashcards
Description of Mr Utterson
“a man of rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile”
“dreary and yet somehow lovable” – description of Mr Utterson
• almost oxymoronic between the adjectives “dreary” (connoting emotionlessness, bleakness, dull character, void of feeling) and “lovable’” (connoting amiable, friendly, enviable) - in this way the theme of duality is immediately established
• Utterson serves as a symbol of the epitome of a Victorian gentleman, in this way RLS exposes how even the most trustworthy, reputable and respected in society possess the ability to contain duality
• adverb “somehow” makes the quality of his attractiveness seem unfitting, questionable or unexpected, as if it does not really belong to him and it is not clear why he is lovable - this bewilders the reader and reinforces idea of duality and mystery/secrecy
“Never marked a shade of change in his demeanour” – referring to when Utterson dealt with different criminal cases
• This marks the extreme severity of the situation at the door, as Utterson, a man that seemingly never “ marked a shade of change” in his personality no matter what criminal cases he took on, was clearly emotionally affected by Jekyll’s case, as the reader learns he was “enslaved” by it : as well as his “demeanour” when he is described as “putting a hand to his brow like a man in mental perplexity”
• “Never” is a final adverb which also highlights his good-hearted nature as his concern for his friend is evident when he is involved
• Alternatively, the idea of a never-changing “demeanour” implies that Utterson is using some sort of outer mask or façade, an idea that is continued throughout the novella and a very common theme in Victorian England
Quotation for Utterson being strict with himself:
“He was austere with himself”
Quotation that shows how Utterson chooses to ignore other people’s faults:
“I Incline to Cain’s heresy”
“no windows”, “neither bell nor knocker” – description of house Hyde enters
• This implies that the house may have something to hide as no one can see into it or get into it
• This immediately creates a tense atmosphere as it makes the house seem uninviting and extremely secretive which directly opposes the “air of invitation” of the street itself
“His affections, like ivy, were the growth of time” – Utterson’s relationships
• “Ivy” is a plant that can be poisonous, implying that Utterson was a sensible man and recognises the harmful nature of certain relationships
• Alternatively, “ivy” is a living plant, that can, like all living things, die or be cut off
• Stevenson, by using the simile to liken his affections to “ivy” may perhaps suggest that Utterson’s respectability amongst his peers: he has the power to end all relationships
• “Ivy” though, is an evergreen plant which also presents Utterson’s loyalty to those around him, a different side of him that readers weren’t aware of
Quotation for Mr Enfield describing the setting of the story of the door to Mr Utterson:
“the shop fronts stood along that thoroughfare with an air of invitation, like rows of smiling saleswomen”
Quotation for Enfield explaining to Utterson how one building in particular stood out:
“a certain sinister block of building thrust forward its gabel”
“the man trampled calmly over the child’s body and left her screaming on the ground” – Enfield describing to Utterson how Hyde trampled a young girl
• The use of an oxymoronic phrase shows the duality within Hyde, as well as presenting him as somewhat unnatural
• To “trample” something “calmly” is pretty much impossible, suggesting that Hyde was perhaps something more than human
• It also shows how Hyde really was merciless: his destructive personality won’t even stop for a young, innocent child
• The idea of the “body” being trampled supports this, it is almost as if Hyde doesn’t see the human side of the child, but sees her as merely a detached “body” that he can do as he likes with which highlights his immorality
“It was hellish to see, It wasn’t like a man; it was like some damned Juggernaut.” - Mr. Enfield describing the story of Hyde trampling a child
• Mr. Enfield’s comparison of Hyde to a relentless, destructive force emphasizes the monstrous and uncontrollable nature of Hyde, contributing to the theme of the dangers inherent in suppressing one’s darker side
• The use of religious vocabulary “hellish” emphasises Hyde’s danger as religion was particularly important in the Victorian Era
• The repeated use of the impersonal pronoun at the beginning of each clause stresses the fact that Hyde seems like a thing not a human; he’s more than human, or perhaps less than human, linking to the prominent role Darwin’s theory of evolution had in the Victorian era
• The simile comparing Hyde to a “juggernaut” is also significant as a “juggernaut” is a huge vehicle, presenting Hyde as machine-like and manufactured
• This is an interesting link to Jekyll being a “well-made” man, as well as suggesting that Hyde possesses no human emotions, presenting him as cold hearted
• “Juggernaut” also contrasts to him being “small”, once again emphasising his strength
Quotation of Enfield describing how Hyde made him feel:
“So ugly that it brought out the sweat on me like running.”
Quotation to show that the cheque that Hyde provided Enfield as compensation for trampling the girl was signed by a reputable man in society (aka Jekyll)
“The person that drew the cheque is the very pink of the proprieties”
Quotation of Utterson’s description of Hyde when meeting him for the first time:
“Something displeasing, something down-right detestable”
Quotation of how Utterson felt Hyde was deformed without quite being able to say what part of him was deformed:
“He gives a strong feeling of deformity”
