Gabriel Utterson

Question 1

What is Utterson’s job?

Answer 1

Utterson is a laywer.

Question 2

Give an example that shows Utterson has a good reputation in society.

Answer 2

Utterson is described as a “reputable acquaintance” and a “good influence” in many people’s lives

Question 3

Which of these adjectives best describes Utterson’s personality?
A. enthusiastic
B. funny
C. serious
D. short-tempered

Answer 3

C. Utterson has a face “that was never lightened by a smile”

Question 4

The text says that “something eminently human beaconed” from Utterson’s “eye”. Why do you think Stevenson includes this description?

Answer 4

This description makes Utterson seem like a friendly character as the term “beaconed” (meaning ‘shone’) suggests he’s friendly and warm. The fact that Utterson is described as “eminently human” contrasts with Hyde, who is described as being “hardly human”

Question 5

Why do you think Utterson is so curious about Hyde?

Answer 5

• Utterson’s curiosity about Hyde is
  partly because of Jekyll’s will, which
  states that everything should go to
  Hyde if Jekyll dies. Utterson might be
  curious about Hyde because he
  wants to know why someone
  disreputable is close enough to Jekyll
  to be in his will.
• Utterson might be curious because
  he is concerned about Jekyll. He
  describes himself as one of Jekyll’s
  “oldest friends” and feels “fear” that
  Jekyll is in trouble. His curiosity could
  be because he wants to help Jekyll
  fix whatever problem Hyde has
  caused.

Question 6

Give an example that shows Gabriel Utterson is:
a) Logical
b) brave

Answer 6

a) He tries to find a logical reason for
Jekyll’s behaviour. Suggesting that
he might have “one of those
maladies”
b) He breaks down the door with
Poole even though it may be
dangerous.

Question 7

According to the text, why do people enjoy spending time in Utterson’s company?

Answer 7

They enjoy his “rich silence” and “unobtrusive company”

Question 8

Give an example where Utterson tries to protect Jekyll’s reputation.

Answer 8

Utterson asks Guest not to tell anyone that Jekyll and Hyde’s handwriting match up.

Question 9

What evidence is there that Utterson represses his desires?
How does this compare with Jekyll’s attitudes before he creates Hyde?

Answer 9

Utterson is described as “austere with himself”, which suggests he deprives himself of pleasures. Although he enjoys theatre, he has “not crossed the doors of one for twenty years.” This is similar to Jekyll before he crates Hyde, as he says he “concealed” his “pleasure”

Question 10

Do you think Utterson is a moral person?
Give reason for your answer.

Answer 10

• You could have said that Utterson is
  a moral person. He isn’t judgemental,
  often acting as the last “good
  influence” in men’s lives. Although
  he’s “fairly blameless” overall in his
  life, he regrets the times he has
  sinned and feels “humbled” by them.
• You could also have said that
  Utterson isn’t moral because he
  conceals evidence. he thinks Jekyll
  has forged a note for Hyde, a
  murderer, but he doesn’t tell the
  police.