12 Questions
Utterson comes across as an uninteresting character—unsmiling, “scanty" in speech, “lean, long, dusty, dreary" in person. As we know from later passages in the novel, he never stoops to gossip and struggles to maintain propriety even to the point of absurdity; the above passage notes the man’s “auster[ity]."
austerity
The passage draws attention to Utterson’s “lovab[ility],” his tendency to “help rather than to reprove.” This geniality and approachability positions Utterson at the center of the novel’s social web—all of the other characters confide in him and turn to him for help, allowing him glimpses of the mystery from every point of view.
lovability
Utterson even serves as the attorney for Sir Danvers Carew, Hyde’s ______. Second, the passage notes Utterson’s keen interest in individuals with dark secrets, in those who suffer from scandal.
victim
Both Lanyon and Jekyll confide in him; his friendship with Enfield gives him a ______ piece of information early in the novel; Poole comes to him when Jekyll’s situation reaches a crisis point.
salient
This introductory passage also reveals certain cracks in this rigid, civilized ______—cracks that make Utterson an ideal person to pursue the bizarre case of Jekyll and Hyde.
facade
Utterson’s “auster[ity]" is noted in the passage, as he never stoops to gossip and struggles to maintain propriety even to the point of absurdity.
austerity
How is Utterson described in the passage?
Unsmiling, scanty in speech, lean, long, dusty, dreary
Why is Utterson considered an ideal person to pursue the case of Jekyll and Hyde?
His lovability, tendency to help rather than reprove, and keen interest in individuals with dark secrets
Who confide in Utterson in the novel?
Lanyon, Jekyll, Enfield, Poole, Sir Danvers Carew
What role does Utterson play in the social web of the novel?
Center, where all characters confide in him and turn to him for help
Why does the passage mention cracks in Utterson's civilized facade?
To show his suitability to pursue the bizarre case of Jekyll and Hyde
What is Utterson's attitude towards gossip and propriety?
He never stoops to gossip and struggles to maintain propriety even to the point of absurdity
Study Notes
Utterson's Character
- Utterson is portrayed as an uninteresting character, being unsmiling, "scanty" in speech, and "lean, long, dusty, dreary" in person.
- He is austere, never stooping to gossip, and struggles to maintain propriety even to the point of absurdity.
- Despite this, he has a "lovab[ility]" and tends to "help rather than to reprove", making him approachable and genial.
Utterson's Role in the Novel
- Utterson is the character through whose eyes the bulk of the novel unfolds.
- He is positioned at the center of the novel's social web, with all other characters confiding in him and turning to him for help.
- He has relationships with key characters, including Lanyon, Jekyll, Enfield, and Poole, providing him with insights into the mystery from every point of view.
Utterson's Interests
- Utterson has a keen interest in individuals with dark secrets, and those who suffer from scandal.
- He serves as the attorney for Sir Danvers Carew, Hyde's victim, further highlighting his connection to the case.
Test your understanding of the character sketch of Utterson, the lawyer from the novel 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. Explore his demeanor, speech patterns, and personality traits as depicted in the first paragraph of the novel.
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