Victorian Blog #1-Dr. Jekyll And Hyde: Literary Elements

This Literary Element in Chapter "Search For Mr.Hyde" on pg 11 has characterization element of Mr. Utterson.

"His [Utterson's]  past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into a sober and fearful gratitude by the many that he had come so near to doing, yet avoided"

Utterson is the principal voice in this part of the book, therefore he is important to the reader because through his eyes we see the going ons in London.  I thought this paragraph was interesiting because on the outside, Utterson gives the appearance of a pure soul, as someone who looks out for his friends, people in general. Yet, on the inside, he feels confronted by the bad things he has done in the past. It's like he has his own Hyde inside of him. Or at least a different side. So if someone as good and noble as Utterson can have a negative past or side, does that mean that everyone else does too? I think so. I think that is also what the author is trying to get across. Anyone see this differently?

Victorian Blog #1-Dr. Jekyll And Hyde: Historical Context

During the Victorian age (the time period that the book was wriitten and took place in) things started changing. Some for the good, others for the bad. In the Victorian Packet, pg 913, it talks about people fearing change, others embracing it whole heartedly. This can be compared to Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At the beginning, Dr. Jekyll's reclusiveness wasn't exactly thought of as weird. But after the murder, he comes out of his shell and starts to change for the good. His extrovertness makes people start to remember the old days when he was a well-liked member of society. But as time passes by, Jekyll sinks back into his old gloomy mood. Its like he was resisting the good change...