Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson
STORY OF THE DOOR
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. At friendly meetings, and when the wine was to his taste,
something eminently human beaconed from his eye; something indeed which
never found its way into his talk, but which spoke not only in these
silent symbols of the after-dinner face, but more often and loudly in
the acts of his life. He was austere with himself; drank gin when he
was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages; and though he enjoyed the
theatre, had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. But he had
an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost with
envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds; and
in any extremity inclined to help rather than to reprove. “I incline to
Cain’s heresy,” he used to say quaintly: “I let my brother go to the
devil in his own way.” In this character, it was frequently his fortune
to be the last reputable acquaintance and the last good influence in
the lives of downgoing men. And to such as these, so long as they came
about his chambers, he never marked a shade of change in his demeanour.
No doubt the feat was easy to Mr. Utterson; for he was undemonstrative
at the best, and even his friendship seemed to be founded in a similar
catholicity of good-nature. It is the mark of a modest man to accept
his friendly circle ready-made from the hands of opportunity; and that
was the lawyer’s way. His friends were those of his own blood or those
whom he had known the longest; his affections, like ivy, were the
growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object. Hence, no doubt
the bond that united him to Mr. Richard Enfield, his distant kinsman,
the well-known man about town. It was a nut to crack for many, what
these two could see in each other, or what subject they could find in
common. It was reported by those who encountered them in their Sunday
walks, that they said nothing, looked singularly dull and would hail
with obvious relief the appearance of a friend. For all that, the two
men put the greatest store by these excursions, counted them the chief
jewel of each week, and not only set aside occasions of pleasure, but
even resisted the calls of business, that they might enjoy them
uninterrupted.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Source & Context: This passage opens The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Gothic novella exploring duality, repression, and the dark side of human nature. The story is framed as a mystery, with the lawyer Gabriel John Utterson serving as the primary investigator into the strange connection between the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll and the monstrous Mr. Edward Hyde. This excerpt, titled "Story of the Door," introduces Utterson, establishing his character, moral ambiguities, and his relationship with his cousin Mr. Richard Enfield—a foil who represents the more worldly, social side of Victorian society.
The novella reflects Victorian anxieties about scientific progress, moral hypocrisy, and the hidden vices of respectable society. Stevenson, influenced by Freudian ideas before Freud, delves into the duality of human nature, suggesting that civilization is a thin veneer over primal instincts.
Themes in the Excerpt
Duality & Repression
- Utterson is described as "cold, scanty, and embarrassed in discourse" yet "somehow lovable", embodying a contradiction between outward austerity and inner warmth. His self-denial (drinking gin alone to "mortify" his taste for fine wine, avoiding theater despite enjoying it) mirrors the Victorian repression of desires.
- His tolerance for others’ vices ("I let my brother go to the devil in his own way") contrasts with his strict self-discipline, hinting at the novella’s central theme: the struggle between public morality and private sin.
Friendship & Isolation
- Utterson’s friendships are passive and habitual ("his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time"). His bond with Enfield is inexplicable to outsiders, suggesting that even in companionship, there is emotional distance—a reflection of Victorian social constraints.
- Their silent Sunday walks, which they value above all else, symbolize ritualistic but empty social interactions, reinforcing the theme of loneliness beneath conformity.
Moral Ambiguity & Hypocrisy
- Utterson’s tolerance for others’ sins (he is often the "last good influence" for "downgoing men") contrasts with his harsh self-judgment. This reflects Victorian moral hypocrisy: society condemns vice publicly but indulges privately.
- His reference to "Cain’s heresy" (a biblical allusion to Cain’s defiance of God) suggests a skeptical, almost amoral worldview, foreshadowing the novella’s questioning of absolute good and evil.
The Uncanny & the Gothic
- The mysterious door (implied in the chapter title) becomes a symbol of hidden secrets. Utterson’s role as a lawyer—someone who unravels truths—positions him as both an insider and outsider to the horrors that unfold.
- The dreary, dusty description of Utterson evokes a Gothic atmosphere, where even the most mundane characters harbor dark curiosities.
Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
Characterization Through Contrast
- Stevenson uses antithesis to define Utterson:
- "Never lighted by a smile" vs. "something eminently human beaconed from his eye"
- "Austere with himself" vs. "approved tolerance for others"
- This duality mirrors the novella’s central conflict (Jekyll/Hyde) and suggests that everyone has a hidden self.
- Stevenson uses antithesis to define Utterson:
Symbolism
- The Door: Represents secrets, thresholds between respectability and depravity. Utterson’s investigation begins with a door (Hyde’s entrance to Jekyll’s house), symbolizing the gateway to hidden truths.
- Gin vs. Vintage Wine: Utterson’s self-denial (drinking cheap gin alone) symbolizes Victorian repression of pleasure, while his appreciation for fine wine hints at suppressed desires.
- Ivy: His affections grow "like ivy"—slow, clinging, and not by choice but by time, suggesting passive, almost parasitic relationships.
Irony & Foreshadowing
- Utterson’s tolerance for others’ sins is ironic because he will later judge Hyde harshly, revealing his own moral limits.
- His legalistic, rational nature is foreshadowed to be tested by the supernatural (Jekyll’s transformation).
- The phrase "downgoing men" foreshadows Jekyll’s descent into Hyde.
Gothic & Psychological Realism
- The dreary, dusty description of Utterson creates a Gothic tone, where even the ordinary is tinged with decay and mystery.
- The psychological depth in Utterson’s internal conflicts (self-denial vs. indulgence) reflects Stevenson’s interest in the fragmented self.
Allusion & Biblical Reference
- "Cain’s heresy": Alludes to Genesis 4, where Cain kills Abel and is marked by God. Utterson’s reference suggests a defiant, amoral stance—he allows others to sin without interference, much like Jekyll allows Hyde to exist.
Significance of the Passage
Introduction to the Narrative Voice
- The novella is told from Utterson’s perspective, making him a reliable but limited narrator. His legalistic, rational mind will struggle to accept the supernatural truth of Jekyll/Hyde, heightening the story’s tension.
Establishing Victorian Hypocrisy
- Utterson embodies the Victorian gentleman: outwardly respectable, inwardly conflicted. His tolerance for others’ vices (but not his own) critiques the moral double standards of the era.
Foreshadowing the Jekyll/Hyde Duality
- Utterson’s own duality (cold exterior, warm interior) mirrors Jekyll’s split personality, suggesting that everyone has a Hyde within them.
The Role of Friendship in the Plot
- Utterson’s loyalty to Jekyll (his old friend) drives the plot. His investigation into Hyde is not just legal but personal, tied to his fear of losing Jekyll to corruption.
The Gothic Uncanny in the Everyday
- Stevenson blurs the line between normal and supernatural. Utterson, a mundane lawyer, becomes the witness to horror, showing how evil lurks beneath ordinary life.
Close Reading of Key Lines
"something eminently human beaconed from his eye; something indeed which never found its way into his talk"
- Utterson’s true self is unspoken, only visible in fleeting moments (like after wine). This suggests that Victorian men hide their emotions, reinforcing the theme of repression.
"I incline to Cain’s heresy: I let my brother go to the devil in his own way."
- A darkly humorous admission of moral detachment. Utterson doesn’t judge, but this passivity will be tested when Hyde’s crimes escalate.
"His affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object."
- His friendships are not based on choice or passion but on habit and duty, reflecting Victorian social rigidity.
"They said nothing, looked singularly dull, and would hail with obvious relief the appearance of a friend."
- Their silent walks are meaningless rituals, yet they cherish them. This absurdity highlights the emptiness of Victorian social conventions.
Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters
This excerpt sets the stage for the novella’s exploration of duality, repression, and moral ambiguity. Utterson is not a hero but a flawed observer, whose own contradictions make him the perfect lens through which to view Jekyll’s downfall. Stevenson uses subtle psychological depth, Gothic atmosphere, and social critique to introduce a world where respectability is a mask—and the real horror lies in what men hide, even from themselves.
The passage also challenges the reader to consider:
- How much of our true selves do we suppress?
- Is tolerance for others’ sins a virtue or a failure of moral courage?
- What doors in our own lives remain unopened, hiding secrets we dare not face?
Utterson’s journey—from detached observer to horrified participant—mirrors the Victorian crisis of identity, making this opening not just an introduction to a mystery, but a gateway into the dark heart of human nature.