"This is very good of you, this is downright good of you, and I cannot find words to thank you in.". The Victorian society gentleman find indulging in his own pleasures to be a great effort and slightly amiss. In conclusion Mr Utterson is presented as the perfect Victorian gentleman who does not gossip, constantly seeks to preserve order and decorum, and guards his friends’ reputations as though they were his own. outspoken when it comes to his dislike for Mr Hyde. Most of the novel is seen from Mr Utterson's perspective. What is Mr Utterson’s relationship to Mr Enfield? Chapter 2 Search for Mr Hyde: Utterson is worried. He prefers to remain looking for a explanation to preserve reason rather than to even consider darker forces at play. Your time is important. Rather, his behavior is typical of the Victorian era dictum: Keep out of others’ affairs. How does Stevenson use language to present him as a typical Victorian gentleman? Stevenson’s monster, however, is not artificially created from stitched-together body parts, but rather emerges fully formed from the dark side of the human personality. He is very dull and proper but is yet described as being fairly “loveable”. He reads "dry divinity," goes to bed no later than midnight, has perfect manners, and is systematic, rational, and conscientious. Within turn of which means, Utterson can be used as a rendering of the secretive and masquerading Victorian gentleman, who conceals his defects beneath a great and impassable facade. However, he is most probably hiding his emotions to do what is right within society. Yet Utterson is also used as a representation of the typical Victorian gentleman, who reminds the reader that Jekyll’s duality is present within all of society and within every person. Jekyll's response to Utterson's good deed shows that Jekyll is grateful for what Utterson has done and for his friendship. Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. Utterson: The Ideal Victorian Man In Mr. Hyde. In another turn of meaning, Utterson is used as a representation of the secretive and masquerading Victorian gentleman, who hides his flaws beneath an impeccable and impenetrable facade. Utterson is persistent in his quest to uncover the true reality of Mr Hyde and his relationship with Dr Jekyll. However, he is most probably hiding his emotions to do what is right within society. Although Utterson witnesses a string of shocking events, Utterson himself is a largely unexciting character and is clearly not a man of strong passions or sensibilities. Mr Enfield, a close friend of Mr Utterson, made sure 'they resisted the calls of business'. In Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), Robert Louis Stevenson uses Mr. Hyde to show that Victorian people and society are imperfect and have dualities that Victorian values deny, ultimately leading to the destruction of the repressed person or society. The text notes that Utterson has a face that is ‘never lighted by a smile’ and only speaks when necessary. Stevenson shows Utterson's personality to be rational, calm and curious. Note: The essay example you see on this page is a free essay, available to anyone. Mr Enfield, a close friend of Mr Utterson, made sure 'they resisted the calls of business'. "I can't pretend that I shall ever like him," said the lawyer. He really admires him and values him as a friend - he wants to see Jekyll happy. Enfield confirms this and the two men vow to never speak of the incident again. The final chapters are told from the perspective of his friend, Dr Lanyon and then Dr Jekyll himself. Mr Utterson is a very Victorian gentleman, naturally unexciting with no strong passions or sensibilities. To give context to the discussion of unacceptable pleasures, the general idea of respectable man's traits should be was having self-control and discipline. Stevenson shows Utterson's personality to be. His refusal to acknowledge the darker side of human nature and his commitment to logical reason was Stevenson's representation of his society's commitment to propriety. The fact that Utterson, a 'lawyer', is out at night links to how he isn't acting like the typical Victorian gentleman of the … Almost every Gothic novel takes place within a strange, secret location, and London from this novel has the exact criteria well. Utterson indulges misbehavior without judgment and doesn’t feel compelled to impose his values on others. The gentlemen ensure that they do not have a clash of opinions with others but strive to maintain a respectable and likeable reputation with those who know him and his family so will always stay away from any actions that will jolt in the perceptions of those who he knows. In conclusion, Utterson’s character, portrayed as a typical Victorian man, as I have already mentioned, is able to communicate with the Victorian readers. The text notes that Utterson has a face that is ‘never lighted by a smile’ and only speaks when necessary. Utterson also provides a contrast as a the voice of reason compared to the supernatural and fantastical elements provided by Jekyll and his experiments. Utterson is devoted to his job; going to the theatre is a waste of time, only work is important for a Victorian man. Mr. Utterson is a character that, to me, signified the typical Victorian professional man. He is very dull and proper but is yet described as being fairly “loveable” He prefers to sweep gossip and scandal under the rug rather than taking a stand on the matter, especially when they stem from his own friends such as in the case of Jekyll. This implies they made sure their walks were priority. In this way, Utterson is the epitome of the Victorian man and Victorian society as a whole. The reason behind this is to create a bond with the reader to show how the typical Victorian man would react to a particular situation and the obstacles he would face. This shows that Utterson speaks his mind - to the point where his friendship with Jekyll could be compromised. Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student. Utterson visits Lanyon. He is in the respectable middle class. He reads his friend Dr Jekyll’s will, which says if he disappears, everything is left to Mr Hyde. Throughout Enfield's narrative, he does not name he mysterious man. Utterson is a respectable lawyer; in turn he becomes the narrator of the story. Utterson goes to warn Jekyll. Re-read the description of the door (lines 23-36). At the beginning of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, … Analysis: Mr. Utterson is characterized as a Victorian gentlemen, but he is also one who does not fully represent the Victorian Era, and has some stark contrasts to the epitome of those Victorian Gentlemen. He consistently seeks to preserve order and decorum, does not gossip, and guards his friends’ reputations as though they were his own. 1. (pg 12) The inheritance of property by one person, especially a well respected man during that time would go either to family, or a friend that would be very well respected as well. It is through these personality traits that Utterson uncovers the mystery of Dr Jekyll's will. Mr Utterson is also shown as a typical gentleman in the Victorian era through his manners and his job, he is a lawyer and therefore that is considered a very highly regarded job back in this era and even now and it also shows his class above others also he is always ‘proper’ in his words and actions which all relate to the fact that he is typical ‘Victorian’ gentleman of the time in chapter 1 You are welcome to use this sample for your research! In another turn of meaning, Utterson is used as a representation of the secretive and masquerading Victorian gentleman, who hides his flaws beneath an impeccable and impenetrable facade. The personification of 'mournful reinvasion' emphasises the foreshadowing because the adjective 'mournful' is normally associated with death and grief. In another turn of meaning, Utterson is used as a representation of the secretive and masquerading Victorian gentleman, who hides his flaws beneath an impeccable and impenetrable facade. Although Utterson witnesses a series of shocking events, the character is presented as an unenthusiastic and pessimistic Victorian man, and is evident from the very first page of the novel. Views 577 Although Utterson witnesses a series of shocking events, the character is presented as an unenthusiastic and pessimistic Victorian man, and is evident from the very first page of the novel. Finally, Utterson asks the man's name and Enfield reveals it was a Mr. Edward Hyde. During the Victorian era, the importance of being highly regarded by one’s Utterson starts watching the door and is shocked to see evil Hyde unlocking it. … Stevenson uses the pun "Mr Seek" to show Utterson's curious nature, Utterson cares about his friend, Dr Jekyll. . His lovability may stem from the only interesting quality that Stevenson gives him—namely, his willingness to remain friends with someone whose reputation has suffered. At the beginning of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson uses … Re-read lines 1-22. As they can almost surely relate to … 3. Most of the novel is seen from Mr Utterson's perspective. Mr Gabriel Utterson in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, . He was serious, boring, and very determined to find out exactly what was going on with Dr. Jekyll. He is a wealthy man and lives in a house with his butler, Poole. Misconceptions for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Miscellaneous Information (Derived from Other Websites. Utterson's persistence leads him to discover the truth about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde's relationship. 1016 Words 5 Pages. Mr Utterson, a respectable man, is described to be 'backward in sentiment' meaning he finds it hard to show emotion. This loyalty leads him to plumb the mystery that surrounds Jekyll. All these are examples of unacceptable behaviour in the Victorian times. The job of Utterson is respectable. "a large, well-made, smoothed faced man of fifty" Physical description of Jekyll. Typical Victorian society Humanity is complex - you cannot pigeonhole Mr Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow loveable. He prefers to sweep gossip and scandal under the rug rather than taking a stand on the matter, especially when they stem from his own friends such as in the case of Jekyll. What sort of person is Mr Utterson? Utterson is a lawyer and therefore a respectable, wealthy man in Victorian London. Read about our approach to external linking. Let us write you an essay from scratch Stevenson characterizes him because having “a rugged countenance that was never lit by a laugh. Mr. Utterson represents the conventional Victorian guy. Utterson is a lawyer and therefore a respectable, wealthy man in Victorian London. Typical manners expected of a Victorian gentleman Victorian gentleman’s costume Respect. It was people like Utterson that found it unimaginable that someone like Dr. Jekyll would want to be someone completely other than himself. Dr Jekyll is a well-respected and intelligent scientist. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. This confuses him, as Jekyll's wish is to leave all of his belongings and wealth to the mysterious criminal Mr Hyde. Utterson represents the perfect Victorian gentleman. In another turn of meaning, Utterson is used as a representation of the secretive and masquerading Victorian gentleman, who hides his flaws beneath an impeccable and impenetrable facade. This implies they made sure their walks were priority. Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). Indeed, Stevenson intends for him to come across in this way: from the first page of the novel, the text notes that Utterson has a face that is “never lighted by a smile,” that he speaks very little, and that he seems “lean, long, dusty, [and] dreary.” Yet, somehow, he is also “lovable,” and dull and proper though he may be, he has many friends. This loyalty leads him to plumb the mystery that surrounds Jekyll. Lanyon hasn’t heard of Hyde and not seen Jekyll for 10 years. Utterson also provides a contrast as a the voice of reason compared to the supernatural and fantastical elements provided by Jekyll and his experiments. 2. Think of Mr. Utterson as the Victorian ideal (minus his penchant for being friends with sketchy characters): How are the two men alike? Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) is a late-Victorian variation on ideas first raised in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818). When Mr Utterson comes across Jekyll’s will and reviews it, Jekyll knows he disapproves of it and says “I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will”. Mr Utterson, a respectable man, is described to be 'backward in sentiment' meaning he finds it hard to show emotion. This demonstrates Utterson's persistence in wanting to find Mr Hyde. Utterson is a lawyer and therefore a respectable, wealthy man in Victorian London. How are they different? Mr. Utterson’s importance to the story is characterized by his character, the way others portray him through indirect characterization, and direct characterization by the author. Mr Utterson is a very Victorian gentleman, naturally unexciting with no strong passions or sensibilities. Through the third person narrative structure the reader is positioned with Mr Utterson for most of the story, unravelling the clues to the mysterious connection between Jekyll and Hyde alongside the lawyer. "If he be Mr Hyde," he had thought, "I shall be Mr Seek.". Under a great "weight of consideration," Utterson asks if the man used a key to get into the door. Mr. Utterson is the first character the narrator introduces in the story. Contrasting to that of Hyde.