Understanding Utterson and social class in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
I can explore how Stevenson presents attitudes to social class through Utterson in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Understanding Utterson and social class in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
I can explore how Stevenson presents attitudes to social class through Utterson in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Social divide is a key idea here, highlighted because the reader sees Soho through the middle class eyes of Utterson.
- Utterson is portrayed as judgemental towards the poor, mirroring commonplace Victorian beliefs.
- Stevenson criticises the idea that only the poor are prone to sin and vice: the middle class characters harbour secrets.
- The description of Soho links to the theme of duality, showing that the city is as divided as Jekyll is.
- Concealment is an important theme here as Utterson confronts a side of London that middle class men don't usually see.
Keywords
Concealment - The action of hiding something or preventing it being known is known as concealment.
Duality - Duality refers to the contrast between two opposite or opposing things.
Morality - Morality concerns the distinction between what is right and what is wrong.
Critique - If you criticise something in a thoughtful and detailed way this is known as a critique.
Social divide - The differences between classes is known as the social divide. In 'Jekyll and Hyde' Utterson is a member of the midde class.
Common misconception
Mr. Utterson is judgemental of all immoral behaviour.
Mr. Utterson seems incredibly judgemental of the Victorian poor and their behaviour but he is willing to turn a 'blind eye' to his friends.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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