English 1100
Robert Louis Stevenson's novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is a short novel of the Victorian era. It portrays the major problem of criticizing people based on their behavior in Victorian society. Individuals who misbehave or talk about scandals are not respectable in Victorian's eye. Stevenson represents the duality of nature, comprising good and evil in his characters. Victorians define good, referring to ego and superego, being the conscious part of the mind, and evil, depicting id, as unconscious, violent, and full of sexual desire.
Utterson, a lawyer, is one of the main characters in the novella who investigates the mystery of Hyde. Stevenson presents psychology of dualism in this character by first representing Utterson as a perfect Victorian gentleman who is reserved and well-respected in society. Then, showing Utterson as a man who has great interest in dishonorable men who are dismissed by elitist Victorian culture. Utterson is unconsciously driven by the hidden desires of his id. Regardless of being one of the respectable men of Victorian society, Utterson pursues Hyde, a sinner, revealing: his need to keep friendship with despicable people, his desire to know about the inner motivations forcing people to misbehave, and his dreams consisting violence; all driven by his id.
Utterson is well-known for his readiness to keep his friendship with those whose reputation has been suffered in society, unknowingly following his wants of id. The writer explains Utterson as a reserved Victorian gentleman, who is "never lighted by a smile", (Stevenson 5) and "yet somehow lovable" (5). His "lovability" refers to his quality that Stevenson gives him- his willingness to remain friends with people whose respect has been ruined, depicting his desire of id. "He never marked a shade of change in his demeanor," (5) for his friends who are involved in some kind of misdeeds. These lines stress that in the Victorian society, it is significant, despite being one of the respected individuals of society, he is willing to remain friends with a person whose reputation has been damaged. This side of his personality not only shows his charity, however, highlights his urges from the 'darker side of himself'.
Utterson remains curious to know about the mystery of Hyde following his desire of id to know about the forces involved in misdeeds. Stevenson writes that Utterson has "an approved tolerance for others, sometimes wondering almost with envy, at high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds" (5). Here the words "envy" and "wondering" stress, how Utterson is jealous, and desperate to know about individuals associated with offenses,...
