Mr Enfield

• Key characteristics of Mr Enfield

  • Morally dubious
  • Uninterested
• Key moments in the story

  Enfield tells Utterson the story of the strange-looking door, introducing the theme of duality and igniting the case of Jekyll & Hyde. In "Incident at the Window," Enfield and Utterson witness Jekyll's expression of terror and despair, leaving them shocked.
• Enfield and Utterson

  Enjoy their Sunday walks together
• Enfield is uninterested in finding out more about Hyde, displaying a lack of curiosity and gossiping merely for entertainment rather than concern for safety.
• Enfield is a perfect Victorian gentleman but tends to gossip with Utterson, showing a theme of duality. He may not be as morally strict as originally thought, revealing the harmful nature of stereotypes.
• Mr Enfield

  A recurring, rather neutral character who appears frequently throughout the novel, always accompanied by Utterson. He is a key driving force of the plot as he indirectly introduced Utterson to Hyde, sparking Utterson's investigation. He embodies similar Victorian values as Utterson but has a different personality. He ensures Hyde compensates the girl he tramples, showing strong morals, but lacks curiosity compared to Utterson.
• Utterson | Mr Enfield

  Maintains a good relationship with his distant cousin, Utterson, despite acting as a foil to him
• Mr Utterson: '“And you never asked about – the place with the door?’ said Mr Utterson. ‘No, sir: I had a delicacy,’ was the reply. ‘I feel very strongly about putting questions; it partakes too much of the style of the day of judgment. You start a question, and it’s like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stones goes, starting others; and presently some bland old bird (the last you would have thought of ) is knocked on the head in his own back garden and the family have to change their name. No, sir, I make it a rule of mine: the more it looks like Queer Street, the less I ask.”'
• Enfield's qualities

  Passive, yet observant, adds to the plot of the novella, juxtaposes his refusal to get involved with gossip
• Mr Utterson: '“‘God forgive us, God forgive us,’ said Mr Utterson. But Mr Enfield only nodded his head very seriously, and walked on once more in silence.”'
• Enfield: '“I am ashamed of my long tongue. Let us make a bargain never to refer to this again.”'