How does Stevenson present the relationship between Jekyll and Utterson?
Within the novella, “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” (J&H), author Stevenson
explores the dynamic relationship between Utterson and Jekyll to represent the normality of
friendships between men in the Victorian Era. He depicts the reliance on reputation for the
benefit of their friendship, although he does show that their bond is still strong due to the
long period of time they had been friends. Although Utterson is suspicious of Jekyll’s
secrecy, he remains loyal to him until the end.
At the beginning of the novella, when Utterson hears the story about Hyde, he goes home
and searches for Jekyll’s will. He appears shocked to find out his connection to Hyde, and
this “will” represents the catalyst to the sudden change in their friendship, and to Utterson’s
determination to take on the role as detective. The contrast between Utterson and Jekyll
becomes clear from the start, as Utterson appears to be rational and concerned, while Jekyll
is secretive. Upon reading the will, Utterson portrays his disbelief and repulsion as he finds it
an “eyesore”, which deeply “offended him both as a lawyer and as a lover of the sane and
customary sides of life”. The noun “eyesore” emphasises Utterson’s disbelief towards his
friend, whom he thought he knew very well. It appears that now he realises the amount of
secrets Jekyll truly holds, which only jump-starts his inane curiosity to get to the bottom of
this case. The adjective “lover” accentuates the juxtaposition between Utterson and Jekyll,
as the readers will find out that Jekyll was a big fan of “transcendental medicine”, and was
therefore not “sane” at all, while Utterson seems to be quite a static character who refuses to
be “lighted by a smile”. However, despite these differences readers can see how close their
friendship is, and how Utterson truly worries for Jekyll’s well being, but also for his
reputation. Reputation was a very important thing to Victorians, and they had a strict code of
conduct that gentlemen had to abide by. Although rooted from urbanisation and the ‘fear of
the unknown’, it clearly weaved its way into their normal lives, such as the way Utterson
worries that “if it came to a trial, [Jekyll’s] name might appear”. Their “name”, symbolising
their whole reputation, was as important as their friendship itself, which is why it was one of
Utterson’s biggest concerns, and why Utterson “had not crossed the doors of [a theatre] for
twenty years”. Therefore, Utterson decides that “if he shall be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek”.
This demonstrates Utterson's persistence in wanting to find Mr Hyde. Stevenson uses the
pun "Mr Seek" to show Utterson's curious nature in discovering the truth about Mr Hyde, and
how he is connected to his best friend so that he can help Jekyll be rid of him.
As the novel progresses, Utterson becomes increasingly concerned about Jekyll and tries to
find out what is wrong with him by visiting one of their mutual friends, Dr Lanyon. When he
goes to find help in Lanyon however, Lanyon appears uninterested in discussing their old
friend, claiming that “it has been more than ten years since Henry Jeykll became too fanciful
for me.” The adjective “fanciful” implies how Lanyon disagrees with Jekyll’s scientific
ideologies, and how he prefers to stick to his traditional ways of thinking and acting with
science. He also accentuates this by calling his “unscientific balderdash”. The noun
“balderdash” suggests that Lanyon views Jekyll’s methods as nonsensical, and this caused
a huge strain on their friendship. It also shows how Utterson is more loyal than Lanyon is to
Jekyll, as despite the knowledge that Jekyll is somehow related to the “deformity” that is Mr
Hyde, he is still willing to fight for him and try to save him from Hyde, while Lanyon wants
nothing to do with it, thinking Jekyll “began to go wrong, wrong in the mind”. The repetition of
“wrong” here emphasises the tension and mystery surrounding the case, as Lanyon never
Within the novella, “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” (J&H), author Stevenson
explores the dynamic relationship between Utterson and Jekyll to represent the normality of
friendships between men in the Victorian Era. He depicts the reliance on reputation for the
benefit of their friendship, although he does show that their bond is still strong due to the
long period of time they had been friends. Although Utterson is suspicious of Jekyll’s
secrecy, he remains loyal to him until the end.
At the beginning of the novella, when Utterson hears the story about Hyde, he goes home
and searches for Jekyll’s will. He appears shocked to find out his connection to Hyde, and
this “will” represents the catalyst to the sudden change in their friendship, and to Utterson’s
determination to take on the role as detective. The contrast between Utterson and Jekyll
becomes clear from the start, as Utterson appears to be rational and concerned, while Jekyll
is secretive. Upon reading the will, Utterson portrays his disbelief and repulsion as he finds it
an “eyesore”, which deeply “offended him both as a lawyer and as a lover of the sane and
customary sides of life”. The noun “eyesore” emphasises Utterson’s disbelief towards his
friend, whom he thought he knew very well. It appears that now he realises the amount of
secrets Jekyll truly holds, which only jump-starts his inane curiosity to get to the bottom of
this case. The adjective “lover” accentuates the juxtaposition between Utterson and Jekyll,
as the readers will find out that Jekyll was a big fan of “transcendental medicine”, and was
therefore not “sane” at all, while Utterson seems to be quite a static character who refuses to
be “lighted by a smile”. However, despite these differences readers can see how close their
friendship is, and how Utterson truly worries for Jekyll’s well being, but also for his
reputation. Reputation was a very important thing to Victorians, and they had a strict code of
conduct that gentlemen had to abide by. Although rooted from urbanisation and the ‘fear of
the unknown’, it clearly weaved its way into their normal lives, such as the way Utterson
worries that “if it came to a trial, [Jekyll’s] name might appear”. Their “name”, symbolising
their whole reputation, was as important as their friendship itself, which is why it was one of
Utterson’s biggest concerns, and why Utterson “had not crossed the doors of [a theatre] for
twenty years”. Therefore, Utterson decides that “if he shall be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek”.
This demonstrates Utterson's persistence in wanting to find Mr Hyde. Stevenson uses the
pun "Mr Seek" to show Utterson's curious nature in discovering the truth about Mr Hyde, and
how he is connected to his best friend so that he can help Jekyll be rid of him.
As the novel progresses, Utterson becomes increasingly concerned about Jekyll and tries to
find out what is wrong with him by visiting one of their mutual friends, Dr Lanyon. When he
goes to find help in Lanyon however, Lanyon appears uninterested in discussing their old
friend, claiming that “it has been more than ten years since Henry Jeykll became too fanciful
for me.” The adjective “fanciful” implies how Lanyon disagrees with Jekyll’s scientific
ideologies, and how he prefers to stick to his traditional ways of thinking and acting with
science. He also accentuates this by calling his “unscientific balderdash”. The noun
“balderdash” suggests that Lanyon views Jekyll’s methods as nonsensical, and this caused
a huge strain on their friendship. It also shows how Utterson is more loyal than Lanyon is to
Jekyll, as despite the knowledge that Jekyll is somehow related to the “deformity” that is Mr
Hyde, he is still willing to fight for him and try to save him from Hyde, while Lanyon wants
nothing to do with it, thinking Jekyll “began to go wrong, wrong in the mind”. The repetition of
“wrong” here emphasises the tension and mystery surrounding the case, as Lanyon never
