🚪
Chapter 1: The Story of the
Door
🔎 Utterson is the first character to be introduced in the novel. On one of
their regular Sunday walks, Enfield and Utterson see a battered door,
prompting Enfield to tell Utterson of a recent experience where, in the
early hours of the morning, he had witnessed a small and hellish man
(later revealed as Mr Hyde) run into and violently trample over a small
girl.
“When the wine as to his taste, something eminently human beaconed from
his eye […] which never found its way into his talk.”
This shows how, although Utterson enjoys to indulge, he is hesitant to
express it in front of others so as to ensure he is in conformity with the rigid
social expectations of a Victorian gentleman at the time.
“more often and loudly in the acts of his life”
Utterson doesn’t talk, but acts, “loudly”.
The adverb “loudly” in Utterson’s acts foreshadows the almost heroic acts
of his that are to follow, initiating Utterson as a good starting point for the
Chapter 1: The Story of the Door 1
, story and as a moral character.
The comparative “more often” suggests a sense of regularity and purpose,
revealing the lawyer (Utterson) as a good and charitable gentleman, much
in keeping with the societal expectations for Victorian men.
The reference to “life” makes the “acts” appear greater, as they appear
wholehearted and honest, as if with the force of “life” behind them.
“He was austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a
taste for vintages; and although he enjoyed the theatre, had not crossed the
doors of one for twenty years.”
Utterson “drank gin” only “when he was alone” so as to maintain control of
himself in public, highlighting the great care he places on maintaining his
reputation and social standing of importance, emphasised by the great
period of time conveyed by “twenty years” during which he has suppressed
his enjoyment of “the theatre” to instead lead a life of austerity.
“He had an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost
with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds.”
This presents Utterson as inquisitive and curious about others’ wicked and
illegal acts.
“ “I incline to, Cain’s heresy,” he used to say quaintly: “I let my brother go to
the devil in his own way.” ”
This shows how Utterson does not take responsibility for others.
This contains a biblical reference with “Cain’s heresy”, invoking the Bible
story of Cain killing his brother Abel, after which, when God asks where
Abel is, Cain replies, “am I my brother’s keeper?”.
“I let my brother go to the devil in his own way” could foreshadow Jekyll’s
involvement as Hyde. The imagery of “the devil” fits into the motif of Hyde
being the “devil”, which becomes increasingly predominant throughout the
novel as more of Mr Hyde’s violence and dangerous acts are revealed and
the reader and characters become more aware of his hellish persona. This
foreshadowing is furthered by the fact that we learn about the close
friendship between Utterson and Dr Jekyll later in the novel- thus, “brother”
could be referring to Jekyll.
Chapter 1: The Story of the Door 2
Chapter 1: The Story of the
Door
🔎 Utterson is the first character to be introduced in the novel. On one of
their regular Sunday walks, Enfield and Utterson see a battered door,
prompting Enfield to tell Utterson of a recent experience where, in the
early hours of the morning, he had witnessed a small and hellish man
(later revealed as Mr Hyde) run into and violently trample over a small
girl.
“When the wine as to his taste, something eminently human beaconed from
his eye […] which never found its way into his talk.”
This shows how, although Utterson enjoys to indulge, he is hesitant to
express it in front of others so as to ensure he is in conformity with the rigid
social expectations of a Victorian gentleman at the time.
“more often and loudly in the acts of his life”
Utterson doesn’t talk, but acts, “loudly”.
The adverb “loudly” in Utterson’s acts foreshadows the almost heroic acts
of his that are to follow, initiating Utterson as a good starting point for the
Chapter 1: The Story of the Door 1
, story and as a moral character.
The comparative “more often” suggests a sense of regularity and purpose,
revealing the lawyer (Utterson) as a good and charitable gentleman, much
in keeping with the societal expectations for Victorian men.
The reference to “life” makes the “acts” appear greater, as they appear
wholehearted and honest, as if with the force of “life” behind them.
“He was austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a
taste for vintages; and although he enjoyed the theatre, had not crossed the
doors of one for twenty years.”
Utterson “drank gin” only “when he was alone” so as to maintain control of
himself in public, highlighting the great care he places on maintaining his
reputation and social standing of importance, emphasised by the great
period of time conveyed by “twenty years” during which he has suppressed
his enjoyment of “the theatre” to instead lead a life of austerity.
“He had an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost
with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds.”
This presents Utterson as inquisitive and curious about others’ wicked and
illegal acts.
“ “I incline to, Cain’s heresy,” he used to say quaintly: “I let my brother go to
the devil in his own way.” ”
This shows how Utterson does not take responsibility for others.
This contains a biblical reference with “Cain’s heresy”, invoking the Bible
story of Cain killing his brother Abel, after which, when God asks where
Abel is, Cain replies, “am I my brother’s keeper?”.
“I let my brother go to the devil in his own way” could foreshadow Jekyll’s
involvement as Hyde. The imagery of “the devil” fits into the motif of Hyde
being the “devil”, which becomes increasingly predominant throughout the
novel as more of Mr Hyde’s violence and dangerous acts are revealed and
the reader and characters become more aware of his hellish persona. This
foreshadowing is furthered by the fact that we learn about the close
friendship between Utterson and Dr Jekyll later in the novel- thus, “brother”
could be referring to Jekyll.
Chapter 1: The Story of the Door 2
