“Mr.Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile, cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse, backward in statement, lean, long, dusty, dreary, and yet some how lovable” (Stevenson 1). In The Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, written by Robert L. Stevenson, Mr.Utterson has many traits like being curious, trustworthy, and friendly. He uses these traits to help Dr.Jekyll and be a good friend and look for him when he couldn’t be found.

Mr.Utterson is one of the most curious people in the story. He wants to find Hyde when he “went missing” so he goes out every night to look for him. “In the course of his nightly patrols he had long grown a custom to the giant effect with which the foot falls of a singular person”(8). He is looking for Mr.Hyde by walking at night. Mr.Utterson also thinks Dr.Jekyll is Hyde. He says, “If he be Mr.Hyde, Than I shall be Mr.Seek”(8). He says this because they’re looking for Hyde. He is talking about if he’s Hyde or not. He is also curious when looking for Jekyll. He is asking Lanyon if he’s seen him. “Have you seen him?”(23). He is curious about Jekyll and concerned if he’s ok. These are many ways he’s shown being curious.

Mr.Utterson was a man of trust. Everyone trusts him with anything, for example when he was told not to open the letter he didn’t. The letter said, “‘PRIVATE: for the hands of J.G Utterson alone, and in case of his predecease to be destroyed unread.’ So it was emphatically superscribed, and the lawyer dreaded to behold the contents”(24). At that part he had just broke the seal but didn’t read it, he felt if he didn’t he would be disloyal but if he did it would cost him another friend. Mr.Utterson is also shown as being trustworthy when Dr.Jekyll explains how he trusts him. “I would trust you before any other man alive -Jekyll”(13). Jekyll is telling him how he trusts him more than anyone else and is a good friend. He also thinks of himself as a trustworthy person, especially with Jekyll. Utterson says, “You know me: I am a man to be trusted”(13). He’s talking to Jekyll, explaining to him that he can trust him no matter what.

Throughout the story Utterson is explained and shown as a good friend. The narrator describes what type of friends he has, “His friends were those of his own blood, or those whom he had known the longest”(1). The narrator is stating that he is very friendly and has had friends for a long time. Utterson is concerned about Jekyll, “Have you seen him? But Lanyon’s face changed , and he held up a trembling hand”(23). He got really concerned and cared about if Jekyll was ok. He hadn’t seen much of him. Utterson really wanted to help/take care of Jekyll. He asks, “Can I do anything? He inquired. We are three very old friends”(23). He wants to be there for Jekyll because he’s a friend, but doesn’t know where he is.

Mr.Utterson has many traits and uses them a lot. He is thoughtful, trustworthy, and being friendly perfectly describe him. Mr.Utterson plays the role of a loving, caring best friend to Dr.Jekyll and helps him through everything. These traits help him be the best person he could possibly be.