Utterson/Reputation

• Reputation is a pillar in society
• Upper class men hide behind reputation
• Utterson is a stereotypical Victorian gentleman
• Reputation cannot be trusted as they’re solely based on appearances. The appearance of respectability hides a much darker truth around the reality of human nature
• ‘Drank gin alone, to mortify a taste for vintages’

  • ‘ mortify’ = verb - embarrassed with his desires, Victorian society reproved exuberance and excess of something which was why Utterson was ‘austere’ and drinks ‘alone’ to avoid exposing his desires
  • Stevenson is trying to explain that the reason structure of society is so rigid is due to people’s fear with acknowledging the darker nature in them
• ‘I am ashamed of my long tongue’

  • Utterson = inquisitive and curious nature
  • represses curiosity for the sake of society
  • Stevenson highlights that It’s impossible to repress human nature
  • Utterson is a epitome of gentleman to show that even those who are considered perfect cannot keep their desires repressed
• ‘Mark of a modest man’

  • Utterson = embodiment of the proper, respectable, professional and eminently Victorian society
  • avoids gossip at all cost - sees gossip as a great destroyer of reputation
• ‘Mr Utterson, the lawyer’

  • The first thing we find out about him is his profession = exemplifies how important the hierarchy was during the Victorian era
  • he is liked because of his respectable career instead of his actual personality