Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-1-mr-gabriel-john-utterson

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# Mr Gabriel John Utterson

English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, topic 2.2.1

## Utterson - Rational and Serious

Utterson is the narrator through whom we witness most of the events in the novella. He is a lawyer, who, like Jekyll, is well-respected in London.

### Introduction

![Introduction](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/bde65216-4a56-486a-ba86-46910918302b/shutterstock_407664883.jpg)

- Utterson is introduced in the opening lines of the novella as a reserved, cold and dull character who drinks alone and doesn’t engage in gossip of any kind.

### "Sane and customary"

!["Sane and customary"](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/90dc0f06-0c85-418b-a115-1fdcda1823f2/shutterstock_562126135.jpg)

- He’s a lover of the **“sane and customary sides of life”** (2) which means that he does not like to engage with emotions or sentimental ideas - especially the ideas of transcendental medicine.

### Rational and serious

![Rational and serious](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/a20c209c-e6bd-482e-9746-6db049c0d0af/shutterstock_424331113.jpg)

- He hears about a man trampling on a young girl and takes initiative to investigate. 
- He is an extremely rational character and he is cautiously curious about Jekyll’s actions. But when he explores the possibility of supernatural occurrences, he denies all possibility. 
- He investigates the mystery of Hyde and he treats the mystery like a murder case.

## Utterson the Gentleman

Victorian gentlemen were expected to be very concerned for their reputation. They were expected to detach themselves from and not engage in gossip, pleasure or hedonism.

### Strict with himself

![Strict with himself](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/5e0bf3a0-07cb-44b2-9ad7-5822fb563bd2/shutterstock_599393774.jpg)

- Utterson is described as **“austere”** and he is strict with himself. 
- In the opening pages of the book, he is described as drinking gin to **“mortify a taste for vintages”**, which means that he drinks alone, in private to try and put himself off the pleasure of drinking itself.

### Cold but lovable

![Cold but lovable](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/fefe626b-530b-4838-82ab-96c5cc04cca0/shutterstock_311948141.jpg)

- In the opening, Utterson is described with oxymorons and a series of adjectives that depict him as being a cold character, with a hint of **“loveable”** elements hidden behind his stern exterior: **“Mr Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance, that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary, and yet somehow lovable”.** 
- This shows how he represses his emotions and he is the model of Victorian restraint and repression.

### Represses emotions

![Represses emotions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/f11e5de2-71ad-4237-bf0f-ea6184ff7802/shutterstock_646850653.jpg)

- Utterson rarely smiles and is described as **“cold”** and **“dreary”** - Stevenson is possibly criticising how Victorian men were expected to repress their emotions and their sentiments to appeal to society’s expectations of gender roles.

## Key Quotes - Utterson

Here are three key quotes reflecting aspects of Utterson's character:

### Serious and represses emotions

![Serious and represses emotions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/86e5718d-619f-4340-a45a-8a3931908053/shutterstock_646850653.jpg)

- **"A rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile"** (1).

### Trustworthy gentleman

![Trustworthy gentleman](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/6fd29f47-da21-490b-9a80-a75738a4f9a5/shutterstock_794390074.jpg)

- **"The last good influence in the lives of down-going men"** (1).

### Investigative and rational

![Investigative and rational](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/3b523221-1812-4e8a-b208-ece6f5fd7674/shutterstock_424331113.jpg)

- **“I shall consider it my duty to break in that door”** (8).

## Test yourself on Mr Gabriel John Utterson

- How is Utterson introduced in the opening lines of the novella?
- Which of these are true of Utterson's role in the novella?
- Characterisation of Utterson
- Which of these quotes about Utterson is **NOT** from Chapter 1?
- Which of these quotes is **NOT** about Utterson?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d84e51a0-3ca2-11e8-aa2a-6f57cfa13a6c/section/32ec1430-3d84-11e8-b7ed-f5479d84760c/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.7 Exam-Style Questions - Mr Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-7-exam-style-questions-mr-hyde.md)
- Next topic: [2.2.2 Dr Hastie Lanyon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-2-dr-hastie-lanyon.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde contents

### 1 Plot Summary
- 1.1 Chapters 1-10
  - [1.1.1 Chapters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-1-chapters-1-and-2.md)
  - [1.1.2 Chapters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-2-chapters-3-and-4.md)
  - [1.1.3 Chapters 5 & 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-3-chapters-5-and-6.md)
  - [1.1.4 Chapters 7 & 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-4-chapters-7-and-8.md)
  - [1.1.5 Chapters 9 & 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-5-chapters-9-and-10.md)
  - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-6.md)
  - [1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/1-1-7-end-of-topic-test-chapters-7-10.md)

### 2 Characters
- 2.1 Jekyll & Hyde
  - [2.1.1 Dr Henry Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-1-dr-henry-jekyll.md)
  - [2.1.2 Jekyll - Name & Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-2-jekyll-name-and-quotes.md)
  - [2.1.3 Mr Edward Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-3-mr-edward-hyde.md)
  - [2.1.4 Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapters 1-9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-4-jekyllhyde-quotes-chapters-1-9.md)
  - [2.1.5 Jekyll/Hyde Quotes - Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-5-jekyllhyde-quotes-chapter-10.md)
  - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Jekyll & Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-jekyll-and-hyde.md)
  - [2.1.7 Exam-Style Questions - Mr Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-1-7-exam-style-questions-mr-hyde.md)
- 2.2 Other Characters
  - [2.2.1 Mr Gabriel John Utterson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-1-mr-gabriel-john-utterson.md)
  - [2.2.2 Dr Hastie Lanyon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-2-dr-hastie-lanyon.md)
  - [2.2.3 Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-3-minor-characters.md)
  - [2.2.4 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/2-2-4-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md)

### 3 Gothic Genre
- 3.1 Gothic Elements
  - [3.1.1 Gothic Conventions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-1-gothic-conventions.md)
  - [3.1.2 Gothic Settings & Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-2-gothic-settings-and-symbolism.md)
  - [3.1.3 End of Topic Test - Gothic Conventions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/3-1-3-end-of-topic-test-gothic-conventions.md)

### 4 Key Themes
- 4.1 Key Themes & Quotes
  - [4.1.1 Science](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-1-science.md)
  - [4.1.2 Dual Nature of Man](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-2-dual-nature-of-man.md)
  - [4.1.3 Religion & Sin](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-3-religion-and-sin.md)
  - [4.1.4 Violence & Horror](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-4-violence-and-horror.md)
  - [4.1.5 Victorian Gentlemen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-5-victorian-gentlemen.md)
  - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-themes-and-quotes.md)

### 5 Context & Author
- 5.1 Context & Author
  - [5.1.1 The Victorian Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-1-the-victorian-era.md)
  - [5.1.2 Deacon Brodie & Freud](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-2-deacon-brodie-and-freud.md)
  - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context & Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context-and-author.md)

### 6 Literary Techniques
- 6.1 Literary Techniques
  - [6.1.1 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-1-language.md)
  - [6.1.2 Structure & Form](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-2-structure-and-form.md)
  - [6.1.3 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/6-1-3-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques.md)

### 7 Grade 9 - Key Character & Theme Questions
- 7.1 Key Character & Themes - Linked Questions
  - [7.1.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters & Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-1-grade-9-key-characters-and-themes.md)
  - [7.1.2 Extract Analysis - Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-2-extract-analysis-jekyll.md)
  - [7.1.3 Extract Analysis - Duality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/7-1-3-extract-analysis-duality.md)

### 8 Recap: Main Quotes
- 8.1 Characters Quotes
  - [8.1.1 Dr Henry Jekyll](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-1-dr-henry-jekyll.md)
  - [8.1.2 Mr Edward Hyde](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-2-mr-edward-hyde.md)
  - [8.1.3 Mr Edward Hyde 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-3-mr-edward-hyde-2.md)
  - [8.1.4 Utterson & Lanyon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-4-utterson-and-lanyon.md)
  - [8.1.5 Poole, Enfield & Mr Guest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-1-5-poole-enfield-and-mr-guest.md)
- 8.2 Text Structure - Quotes
  - [8.2.1 Jekyll's House & London](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-1-jekylls-house-and-london.md)
  - [8.2.2 Victorian Repression](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-2-victorian-repression.md)
  - [8.2.3 Religion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-3-religion.md)
  - [8.2.4 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/8-2-4-violence.md)