English Literature - Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Question

Thinking about Chapter 8 – consider how the nature of Victorian society impacts upon Mr Utterson’s response to Poole’s fears about Dr Jekyll.

Q. What is he most concerned about?

Answer 1

Utterson's response to Poole's fears about Dr. Jekyll illustrates the clear Victorian division in social class between wealthier members of Victorian society like Utterson and Jekyll, and the working class members of Jekyll's servant staff. Utterson is at first "a good deal frightened and rather inclined to be irritated in consequence," by Poole's claim that there has been foul play. His irritation is likely caused, at least in part, by the fact that he has been bothered by a member of the serving class at such a late hour. This is further reinforced by Utterson's reaction to finding "the whole of the servants, men and women" gathered around the hearth in their master's home. Utterson, upon seeing this, immediately cries "Are you all here? . . . Very irregular, very unseemly; your master would be far from pleased.” Utterson seems most concerned with maintaining the proper Victorian codes of decorum and social hierarchy, rather than with the possibility foul play.