#maybe im just misunderstanding the novel here or something tho

[paper-is-paper]

A poll/question for novella Jekyll and Hyde enjoyers

Why do you think that Jekyll was so unwilling to tell Utterson what was going on with himself and Hyde until he was practically dead? Also, further question, why do you think that Jekyll choose Lanyon to gather the emergency chemicals to change him back when he accidentally changes bodies in the park?

I know the whole plot of the book and the motivations of its characters are due to the standards at the time and the repression associated with high society, but Utterson had a reputation as being "the last reputable acquaintance and last good influence in the lives of down going men." Throughout the novella Utterson shows he's willing to keep a secret for Jekyll and go the distance to make sure the guy's reputation and safety is assured, from standing outside his door for hours and days at a time just to catch a glimpse of Hyde, to keeping secret all the blackmail-able stuff about Jekyll in his youth for decades.

Assuming that Jekyll also knows these things about Utterson, I feel like Utterson would be the logical choice to confide in when he gets stranded away from home as Hyde that one time and is forced to reveal his situation to another person. However, Jekyll chooses not to do that, but why?