Starter quiz
- What is Mr. Utterson's profession in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
- 'Lawyer' ✓
- In relation to 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', complete this quote from Mr. Utterson: ''If he be Mr. Hyde,” he had thought, “I shall be Mr. ______."
- 'seek' ✓
- Which of the words below could be used to describe Mr. Utterson in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
- Rational ✓
- Curious ✓
- Respectable ✓
- Dangerous
- Reckless
-
- In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Mr. Utterson discovers that Jekyll's will leaves his entire fortune to Mr. Hyde. When he discovers this, Mr. Utterson is...
- alarmed, suspecting foul-play on the part of Hyde. ✓
- unbothered, seeing wills like this everyday.
- satisfied, that Jekyll is planning his estate in this way.
- suspicious, suspecting fraud of some kind.
-
- What is the correct definition of 'justice'. Here it is used in a sentence: 'The judge delivered a verdict that upheld justice for the victim.'
- Fairness in the way people are dealt with. ✓
- Equality in the way people are dealt with.
- Impartiality in the way people are dealt with.
- Generosity in the way people are dealt with.
-
- What is the appropriate definition of the word 'repression'? Here it is used in a sentence: "The repression of free speech is a concerning trend in some countries."
- The restraint, prevention, or inhibition of a feeling or quality. ✓
- The promotion, encouragement, or adoption of a feeling or quality.
- The indifference, coldness, or distance towards a feeling of quality.
- The desire, need or want for a feeling of quality.
-
Exit quiz
- What narrative perspective are the first 8 chapters of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' written in?
- Third-person limited. ✓
- Third-person omniscient.
- First-person.
- Second-person.
-
- In 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', the fact that Utterson denies himself wine and the theatre - both things he enjoys - hints at his...
- repressive nature. ✓
- secretive nature.
- loyal nature.
- judgemental nature.
-
- In Chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Utterson says that he inclines to 'Cain's heresy'. What does he mean by this?
- Like Cain, he doesn't believe in knowing the private doings of others. ✓
- Like Cain, he is fiercely protective of his close friends.
- Like Cain, he is overly concerned with reputation.
- Like Cain, he is curious about uncovering the truth.
-
- Which of the below are examples of where Utterson is arguably "wilfully ignorant" in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
- When he doesn't open the letters early. ✓
- When he pursues Hyde through London.
- When he ignores the similarity between Jekyll and Hyde's handwriting. ✓
- When he ignores Jekyll's unethical scientific practices. ✓
- When he gossips with Enfield at the start of the novella.
-
- In Chapter 1 of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Enfield uses a metaphor to describe how reputations can be easily affected. What metaphor does he use?
- 'rolling stone' ✓
- Which of the below statements best describes how Utterson sees the reputations of his friends in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'?
- Something to be protected at all costs, even if it means concealing something. ✓
- Something important, but not as important as the law.
- Something unimportant, people deserve the reputations they receive.
- Something important, but not something he is directly responsible for.
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The first 8 chapters are focalised through Utterson, highlighting the tension between his curiosity and wilful ignorance
- The word 'Case' in the title links to Utterson's legal profession, yet he is more concerned with reputation than justice
- Stevenson makes us question whether Utterson remains friends with 'downgoing' men out of loyalty or repressed desires
- Chapter 2 is key to understanding Utterson, as he is driven by curiosity to pursue Hyde as 'Mr Seek'
- Chapters 1 and 7 are significant as Utterson chooses to ignore the signs of Jekyll's distress to protect his reputation
Common misconception
Mr. Utterson is an example of a respectable, Victorian gentleman.
The reality is more complex. Utterson seems more concerned with protecting the reputation of Jekyll than pursuing any real justice.
Keywords
Focalised - Focalised refers to the perspective from which the story is told. In 'Jekyll & Hyde' the first 8 chapters are focalised through Utterson.
Third person limited - A third-person limited narrative structure is where a story is told from the perspective of one protagonist. We only see their thoughts.
Repression - Repression refers to the restraint, prevention or inhibition of a feeling or quality.
Justice - Justice concerns just behaviour or treatment.
Loyalty - If you are showing a strong feeling of support or allegiance then you are showing loyalty
+