In the Gothic novella Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson represents the character of Utterson as a moral compass for Victorian readers at the time, who would have been fixated on the idea of decorum and keeping themselves composed. The novel, which is written in third person, allows the reader to focus on Utterson’s perspective and creates an empathetic bond between him and the reader, possibly indicating that he is a trustworthy character who they can look up to and follow. Perhaps this may be Stevenson’s way of highlighting what type of individual he favours and who the Victorian audience should strive to become. However, despite his humble nature, his continuous obsession with finding out every detail about Hyde could potentially reveal that there is more to Utterson than what meets the eye and that maybe his moral nature is not what it seems. In the extract, the will is described as an ‘eyesore’. Describing the will in this way could indicate Utterson’s repulsion to this immoral document as it goes against the very values that he follows and could further portray his desire to stand apart from detestable behaviour. Furthermore, Utterson states that he begins to ‘fear that it is in disgrace’ which portrays his concern for his friend Jekyll as he is worried that this will could tarnish his reputation. This is especially relevant as in Victorian society, reputation was valued greatly among people and losing it could result in being ostracised by others around them. Utterson worries that if Jekyll’s reputation is destroyed, then it could have a severe impact on him which may be irreversible. Instead of choosing to expose the ‘immodest’ will, he decides to keep it hidden away and doesn’t tell anyone to protect the dignity of his friend. This behaviour of Utterson is repeated on multiple different occasions throughout the novel, an example being towards the start of the novel, he is stated to have an ‘approved tolerance for others… at the high pressure of their spirits involved in their misdeeds. ‘High pressure’ could infer the excitement that these individuals would have experienced from indulging in their desires. Utterson having an ‘approved tolerance ’might indicate that he will still choose to associate himself with these types of individuals, further demonstrating his loyalty and devout personality even towards those who choose to defy the moral standards that they are supposed to be following. However, it is also mentioned towards the beginning of the novel that Utterson wonders ‘almost with envy’ at the ‘high – pressures’ these individuals have. ‘Envy’ could infer that perhaps deep down, he wants their excitement to influence him and that he too, wants to be able to commit the same sort of ‘misdeeds’ that the people around him are doing, but he holds himself back as he still wants to be a good man even though naturally, he cannot dispose of these feelings within him. Utterson’s hypocrisy was common throughout men in the Victorian era, who would act in a sophisticated manner in front of others but would engage in vulgar activities when they didn’t have to act like a gentleman. Stevenson could be trying to point out that being a real man consists of dual nature; it involves hiding your true self which is what Utterson does despite the fact that he too could also be tempted to also indulge in his desires like the other Victorian gentlemen at this time. In the extract, Hyde’s name is being described as one that Utterson could ‘learn no more’ of. He is driven and motivated to be able to uncover the truth behind his friend Jekyll and chooses to pry more into the will that Jekyll has left behind. The reader, along with Utterson wants to find out more about the mystery being that was able to cause Dr Jekyll to suddenly disappear but still can’t find anything that could have possibly caused his disappearance. This bond between the reader and Utterson continues to persist as he tries to pinpoint how a being such as Hyde has been able to cause a well – off and reputable man to suddenly engage in foul business with him. This could place Utterson in definite contrast to Hyde, as Hyde appears to have some sort of influence over Jekyll that Utterson wants to intervene in. His concern for his friend is shown here once more and he wants to be able to uncover the secret that could finally lead him to the answer. Furthermore, in the Gothic novella of Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson also chooses to portray Utterson as deliberately boring and uninteresting on the surface elsewhere in the novel as he is described to be ‘lean, long, dusty, dreary’ in person. These would be considered as typical male characteristics at the time that members of Victorian society would have strived to achieve, to strive to do good and avoid any kind of misconduct. In juxtaposition, he is also described as somewhat ‘loveable’, possibly due to him turning a blind eye to other people’s misconduct.