Reputation, reputation, reputation

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the
immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. (Cassio)
From Shakespeares Othello
Reputation is introduced as a key theme in Mr Enfields story in two key ways. Firstly, he is able to
bribe Mr Hyde, knowing that should he spread a scandal about the situation with the young girl
Mr Hydes reputation will be ruined they could make his name stink. Secondly, Utterson and
Enfield discuss the concept of gossip and prying into other peoples business and decide it is a bad
thing.

Task 1: Look through the following quotations from the novel. What do they reveal about
the idea of reputation? Annotate with your ideas.

I am ashamed of my long tongue. Let us make a bargain never to refer to this

again.

I feel very strongly about putting questions; it partakes too much of the style
of the day of judgment. You start a question, and its like starting a stone. You
sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others; and
presently some bland old bird (the last you would have thought of) is knocked
on the head in his own back garden and the family have to change their name.

I am naturally helpless. No gentleman but wishes to avoid a scene, says he.

And for all that, continued the lawyer, theres one point I want to ask: I
want to ask the name of that man who walked over the child.

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Reputation, reputation, reputation

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Task 2: Answer the following questions:
1) What contradictions are there in Mr Uttersons speech and behaviour in the first few
chapters?
2) Why is Mr Utterson an effective choice for the narrative perspective given your above
answer?
3) The importance of reputation often leads to characters keeping secrets either for
themselves or on behalf of others. Why is secrecy an effective theme for readers? How
might keeping secrets make the novel more dramatic?

Task 3: You might want to do some research into:

a) the importance of upholding a respectable reputation in Victorian society and/or
b) the theme of reputation in the novel as a whole.

Be aware that in doing part (b) you may well discover facts about the end of the novel.
Check with your teacher before completing it!

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