character profile- Mr Gabriel Utterson Flashcards
one quotation to describe Utterson as serious
” a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile”
one quotation to describe Utterson as reputable
“the last good influence in the lives of down-going men
one quotation to describe Utterson as brave
“i shall consider it my duty to break in that door”
one quotation to describe Utterson as a typically rational Victorian gentleman
“a lover of the sane and customary sides of life”
what is Utterson’s job
lawyer
describe how 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
describe how Utterson feels when he first meets Hyde
feels “mental perplexity” - he’s confused because it’s impossible to use reason to make sense of something that has supernatural explanation. memory of Hyde makes Utterson feel a “shudder in his blood”
describe how Utterson is curious bout Hyde
something about Hyde that particularly affects utterson. he feels “a singularly strong, almost an inordinate, curiosity” to see Hyde and does everything he can to do so- he waits outside the door “by all lights and all hours”
describe how Utterson represses his desires
Utterson described as “austere”- he’s strict with himself and doesn’t allow himself many pleasures . he doesn’t smile much and is “cold” and “dreary”, has a more human side but doesn’t let it show in his speech
describe how Utterson is obsessed with reputation
-wants to maintain respectability, order and propriety- when Poole asks Utterson for help and takes him back to Jekyll’s house, Utterson calls servants’ distress at Jekyll’s behaviour “very unseemly”
describe how Utterson is loyal
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. if Victorian society was more tolerant of human behaviour less need to hide immoral desires
describe Utterson’s complicated attitude towards his own dark side
- although his past was “fairly blameless”, he feels bad for what he views as the “many ill things” he’s done
- he’s bee tempted to sin and feels a strange “envy” for those who can indulge in their misdeeds
