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Been thinking a lot about J&H recently: I'm revising it with my Y11s, some of whom are coming to my lunchtime Book Club where we are re-reading the novel.
One aspect I think is often obscured is the journey Utterson takes.
One aspect I think is often obscured is the journey Utterson takes.
There's a strong case to suggest that Utterson is the novel's protagonist: he wants something (to save his friend Jekyll's reputation) but ironically is prevented from doing so by the actions of Hyde/Jekyll himself.
The journey that Utterson takes is from ignorance to knowledge; from passivity to responsibility, and thus an interesting point of comparison with Sheila in AIC.
At the start of J&H, Utterson is open about his own adherence to Cain's heresy: letting his fellow man go to hell in his own way, and not get involved.
But during the course of the book, events conspire against Utterson, and he is forced to become more active.
But during the course of the book, events conspire against Utterson, and he is forced to become more active.
In trying to protect his friend, he seeks the truth - and learns much more than he bargained for.
Which begs the question: does Utterson end the novel a changed man?
Which begs the question: does Utterson end the novel a changed man?
Perhaps. Chapters 9 and 10 are of course the statements given to Utterson by Lanyon and Jekyll; and as readers, we are allowed to read them just as Utterson himself has done.
Perhaps the Utterson of chapter 1 would have destroyed them, to save Jekyll's good name?
Perhaps the Utterson of chapter 1 would have destroyed them, to save Jekyll's good name?
The fact that we can read them suggests Utterson hasn't destroyed them. Rather, he has allowed the truth of this Strange Case to emerge.
He has seen the damage that secrecy can cause. /End. 1
He has seen the damage that secrecy can cause. /End. 1
