Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Gabriel Utterson
- Utterson is a typically rational Victorian gentleman- he's "a lover of the sane
and customary sides of life".
- He is a lawyer and he approaches the mystery in the same way
he'd approach a case. He weighs up the evidence and tries reach a
balanced, unbiased evaluation of the facts.
- He's unwilling to consider any explanation which threatens to upset his rational way of thinking.
He concludes that Jekyll has locked himself in the cabinet because he's suffering from a disease-
he thinks this is a "plain and natural" explanation, unlike Poole's murder theory.
- Utterson doesn't suspect a
supernatural explanation, although he's
aware that something strange is going
on.
- Enfield's story about Hyde gives Utterson mightmares
- Utterson feels "mental perplexity" when he meets Hyde
for the first time- he's confused because it's impossible to
use reason to make sense of something that has a
supernatural explanation.
- The memory if Hyde makes Utterson feel a "shuder in his blood". The supernatural
nature of Hyde is strong enough to affect Utterson's emotions, which he usually tries
to control.
- There is something about Hyde that particularly affects Utterson.
He feels "a singularly strong, almost an inordinate, curiosity" to
see Hyde ad he does everything he can to do so- he waits outside
the door" by al lights and at all hours."
- Without Utterson's interest the reader would never get the bottom of things.
- Utterson is described as "austere" - he's strict with himself and doesn't allow
himself many pleasures. For example, he enjoys the theatre but hasn't been to one
for twenty years.
- Utterson does not smile as much
- People enjoy his company because his "rich silence" is calming after
the "strain" of making light-hearted conversation. He's a model of
Victorian restraint.
- Utterson wants to maintain respectability, order
and propriety.
- He's aware of the importance of reputation,
which is why he's so concerned for Jekyll's good
name- after Carew's murder, Utterson's
concern is that Jekyll's name might appear at
the trial.
- He does not gossip or go against his sense of restraint to discover the truth.
- Although reputation is important to Utterson, he is
not judgemental.
- He's loyal to those who get into trouble and tries to help them
- Utterson has a 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- like Jekyll, Utterson sets
himself high standardsby avoiding what he sees
as sinful behaviour.
- He's been tempted to sin and feels a strange
"envy" for those who can indulge in their
misdeeds.