Utterson Flashcards
(12 cards)
‘cold, scanty, and embarrassed in discourse’
By using the rule of three, a cumulative effect is built, emphasizing Utterson’s reserved and emotionally restrained nature.
‘He was austere with himself’
The word ‘austere’ carries religious and puritanical connotations. It evokes images of a man who denies himself pleasure and indulgence, aligning with the Victorian ideal of moral uprightness and control over base impulses.
‘I incline to Cain’s heresay’
This is a biblical allusion to the story of Cain and Abel in the Book of Genesis. Cain, after murdering his brother Abel, famously asks, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Utterson references “Cain’s heresy” to imply that he does not interfere in other people’s affairs—he lets them deal with their own moral failings.
‘I let my brother go to the devil his own way’
‘Go to the devil’ is a metaphor for moral ruin or damnation. It implies a path of sin or self-destruction. Utterson is acknowledging that people have the right to make their own choices, even if they lead to ruin.
‘Catholicity of good-nature’
The word ‘catholicity’ is used in its original sense, meaning universality or broad-mindedness, not in the religious (Roman Catholic) sense. It’s an elevated, formal word, reinforcing Utterson’s educated, principled character.
‘It is one thing to mortify curiosity, another to conquer it’
The balanced sentence created by ‘one thing to…another to’ shows how it is very difficult to fully suppress curiosity, and shows that despite Utterson’s respect for privacy, he is still desperate for answers.
‘Can we venture to declare this suicide?’
The quote is a rhetorical question, not asked to get an answer but to express doubt, discomfort, or suspicion. It implies unease with accepting the obvious explanation.
'’Are you all here?’ said the lawyer peevishly’’
The word choice ‘peevishly’ conveys Utterson’s annoyance at the irregularity and disorder in the situation, showing that even in desperate times, manners and logic are paramount for him.
‘Professional honour and faith to his dead friend were stringent obligations’
The word choice ‘stringent’ has connotations of being very strict and austere, showing how important professional honour and respecting his friend is to Utterson.
‘…the dry lawyer, when the light hearted and loose tongued..’
The quote juxtaposes Utterson (‘the dry lawyer’) with the “light-hearted and loose-tongued.” This sharp contrast reinforces the difference between Victorian restraint and modern sociability, and characterises Utterson as serious, emotionally reserved, and morally grounded.
‘If he be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek’
The wordplay of the pun contrasts with Utterson’s usually serious nature, showing he has a sense of humour. Irony of Utterson, a usually serious and rational character, getting involved with such an unnatural case. Foreshadows the conflict of rationality vs the fanciful.
‘besieged by questions’
The word choice of ‘besieged’ shows the extent of Utterson’s curiosity with the door.
