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 sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable. At friendly meetings, and when the wine was to his taste, something eminently human beaconed from his eye; something indeed which never found its way into his talk, but which spoke not only in these silent symbols of the after‑dinner face, but more often and loudly in the acts of his life.
He was austere with himself; drank gin when he was alone, to mortify a taste for vintages; and though he enjoyed the theatre, had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. But he had an approved tolerance for others; sometimes wondering, almost with envy, at the high pressure of spirits involved in their misdeeds; and in any extremity inclined to help rather than to reprove.
- What was Mr. Utterson’s profession?
- How is Mr. Utterson’s countenance described?
- What expression is said never to “light” his face?
- What quality of his speech is mentioned?
- What two adjectives describe his general appearance?
- Despite his stern manner, what do people generally think of him?
- What kind of meetings does he engage in?
- What caused something “eminently human” to appear in his eye?
- Where did this human warmth not find its way?
- In what way did this warmth show itself instead?
- What phrase suggests he was strict with himself?
- What drink did Mr. Utterson choose when he was alone?
- Why did this specific drink?
- What leisure activity did he enjoy?
- How long had it been since he last visited this place?
- What attitude did he have towards the faults of others?
- What does Utterson describe their faults as?
- What emotion did he sometimes feel when observing others’ misdeeds?
- In moments of extremity, what was he inclined to do?
- What is Mr. Utterson’s forename?
Creative Fiction Writing: Write an imaginative piece that starts with the line: ‘After dinner, the atmosphere suddenly changed.’