J + H - Utterson

Question 1

(chapter 2 pg 10) - 1

Answer 1

‘a singularly strong, almost an inordinate, curiosity’
* This hyperbolised description reflects the intense effect of Hyde on Utterson.
* The sibilance in the phrase ‘singularly strong’ emphasizes his ironic obsession with discovering who Mr Hyde is – further shown as he is dreaming about Hyde. This highlights how desperate the rational lawyer is for an answer to the problem.

Question 2

(chapter 2 pg 10) - 2

Answer 2

Utterson uses the pun “If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.”
* shows Utterson’s curious nature and determination to pursue the truth.
* Use of the modal verb ‘shall’ suggests that Utterson adapts to his prey – Mr Hyde.
* Utterson feels that Jekyll is being blackmailed and wants to defend his reputation.
* Utterson is prejudice against Hyde prior to even meeting him. This reflects Victorian gentleman’s attitude towards the working class which is somewhat dismissive.
* Perhaps this reveals that Hyde’s power is all pervasive – bringing out Utterson’s irrational obsessive manner.

Question 3

(chapter 3 pg 14)

Answer 3

‘I am a man to be trusted…. I make no doubt that I can get you out of it’.
* stressing his naïve loyalty to Jekyll – ‘I can get you out of it’ implies that Utterson thinks Jekyll is being blackmailed by Hyde – highlights the irony of how incorrect Utterson’s explanation of Jekyll’s condition is showing how Utterson is trying to defend his reputation – emphasises his trustworthy and authentic nature.
* Repeated verbs - ‘am’ / ’make’ / ‘can’ creates declarative tone. Highlights how trustworthy, dependable and transparent Mr Utterson is – reiterates the strength of their gentlemanly bond.

Question 4

(chapter 6 pg 24/5)

Answer 4

‘A great curiosity came on the trustee… but professional honour and faith to his dead friend were stringent obligations’

• Highlights how Utterson is bound by principle & executes self-restraint. Despite this, like Lanyon, he is susceptible to temptation as ‘A great curiosity came on’ him. This emphasises his inner most desires.
• Conjunction ‘But’ emphasises his firm rejection of his temptation - abides and lives by the gentleman’s code of conduct.
• furthers the suspense of the gothic thriller - the fact that he does not open the letter.

Question 5

(chapter 7 pg 26)

Answer 5

In chapter 7, seeing Jekyll’s transformation ‘froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below … They were both pale; and there was an answering horror in their eyes’.
* ‘Pale’, ‘froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below’ – semantic of illness/mortality emphasizing the extreme response of the men to their friend’s physical change. Implies their internal awareness of the moral corruption of their friend yet they refuse to gossip or speculate between themselves to follow the gentleman’s code of conduct.
* ‘answering horror in their eyes’ – gothic hyperbolised language emphasises supernatural effects of Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde. Their extreme response implies that Jekyll is becoming mad, which was aligned with criminality and debauchery, all of which would ruin a gentleman’s reputation – highlights how Utterson is trying to defend Jekyll’s reputation by maintaining secrecy as he doesn’t want him to be associated with Hyde.

Question 6

(chapter 8 pg 28)

Answer 6

‘he recollected his courage’
* This shows a more stoic and courageous side to Utterson not seen previously in the novel - Poole asks him for help and Utterson accepts Poole’s demand to go to Jekyll’s house.
* The way he is presented almost as a saviour to Poole may be a biblical reference to his name ‘Gabriel’ which is the same as God’s angel messenger of peace and enlightenment, like Utterson.
* This fits with his symbolic breakthrough the cabinet door which ultimately reveals the truth about Hyde.

Question 7

essay structure

Answer 7

P1: Extract

P2: Curiosity of Hyde – goes against gentleman’s code of conduct – asks qns
* (chapter 2 pg 10) - ‘a singularly strong, almost an inordinate, curiosity’
* (chapter 2 pg 10) - “If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.”

P3: loyalty to fellow gentleman - how he maintains his respectability.
* (chapter 3 pg 14) - ‘I am a man to be trusted…. I make no doubt that I can get you out of it’.
* (chapter 6 pg 24/5) - ‘A great curiosity came on the trustee… but professional honour and faith to his dead friend were stringent obligations’

P4: End
* (chapter 7 pg 26) - froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below … They were both pale; and there was an answering horror in their eyes – hyperbolic – exaggerated response – typical of the gothic – life and death – gentleman secretive code of conduct
* (chapter 8 pg 28) - ‘he recollected his courage’ - biblical Gabriel.