SIgn of Four Flashcards
Comment on the effect of the description of Sholto’s home.
Despite being in the London suburbs, Sholto’s room is presented as palatial with its ‘richest’ tapestries, Oriental’ vases and ‘Two great tiger-skins’. It seems as though India has not only impacted Major Sholto but his son Thaddeus as well because he is in London living like a maharajah with his ‘Hindoo servant’.
There is as sense that Sholto is trying to climb up the social hierarchy to that of a gentleman or officer in the colonies. He sees this lifestyle as desirable and romantic, smoking with a hookah and displaying his tiger skins, not considering the exploitation that took place in the colonies.
link to Aesthetic Movement- having it for the sake of having it- ‘thrown athwart’- carelessly
How is class represented by Holmes?
When talking about Mrs Smith, he says ‘The main thing with PEOPLE OF THAT SORT…is never let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you’.
He relies on people of that sort a lot and it suggests that they are but mere accessories than people- because of their class.
How are foreigners and the colonies presented?
Doyle shows us how society at the time is very narrow-minded and mistrustful of foreign influence because so far everything related to India and the Agra treasure is shown in a negative light. It made the people ‘blind, foolish’ and ‘avarice’(extreme greed for wealth)
Tonga was brutally shot Doyle seems to justify the death by implying he is less than human - a ‘savage distorted creature’ and so his life is not valued. He is described using animalistic imagery- ‘bestiality and cruelty’ and ‘half animal fury’. The idea of the OTHER.
When they take Mary home, Holmes observes, ‘It was soothing to catch the glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of this wild, dark business’.
This suggests Doyle’s readership may have believed that England was the best example of a civilised country and is why the other colonies needed to be invaded
Comment on the change in Holmes’ character.
In chapter 9 we see him going back to the frustrated mood previously seen at the beginning of the novella, when he was paralysed with boredom. We see how Holmes can plunge into depression when not faced with intellectual challenges for stimulation.
‘This infernal problem is consuming me’
Holmes has been described in animalistic terms such as ‘hawk-like features’. He is like a caged animal, pacing his lair waiting for news that will release him from this imprisonment.
‘He walked and he walked, up and down, and up and down’
He is not born to deal with the ‘dull routine of existence’
How does Athelney Jones’ character change?
He has undergone a perspective change. His pompous and bombastic nature has been subdues by his failure to close the case as he loses his prime suspect- Thaddeus.
He is described as ‘downcast’ and ‘meek’ and ‘even apologetic’. Jones becomes tamed in this scene as he returns authority to Holmes and ‘entirely’ submits to him.
How are Athelney Jones and Holmes similar?
They both undergo a change in character as the case is not being solved. They are both affected by the case not being able to be solved.
Holmes because he cannot solve it and this annoys him:
‘worn and haggard’ when no news
but Jones because it ruins his reputation as police officer:
‘my professional credit is at stake’
How are the British presented?
Major Sholto, British, who takes the Agra treasure to England from its rightful home is metaphorical for why the British colonised in the first place- to gain wealth.
The British are shown as heroic and honourable when there are ‘millions against the hundreds’ in the mutiny and atrocities were committed by both sides.
The quote about ‘tranquil English home’ suggests Doyle’s readership may have believed that England was the best example of a civilised country and is why the other colonies needed to be invaded
It shows how even educated people such as the doctor and Holmes can have these narrow minded views.
How is Holmes shown to be an enigmatic character?
He is a man of many talents and full of knowledge- a linguist, musical, athletic- always thinking rationally and being able to use the clues quicker than others.
He chides Watson for this: ‘My dear Watson, try a little analysis yourself’
He seems to have many connections from people of all classes in all the areas of London and this makes us wonder how.
However is also has many flaws in that he is not able to think emotionally, he seems to be quite sexist an also quite arrogant and dismissive towards others’ point of view.
How is Holmes presented as a genius?
‘My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work’
He is easily bored and only fulfilled in life when he is solving mysteries.
guesswork is ‘destructive to the logical faculty’
How is Holmes presented as the motivating force in this novella?
His capacity for great thoughts and analysis of clues is far greater than of Watson and the police. This is why people (even police) come to him for help:
‘I should be glad of a little assistance’
CHAPTER TWO when ‘statement of the case’ is given by Miss Mary Morstan who is a ‘model client’ suggesting many come here.
Also when Homes must rely on news from others- the Baker Street Irregulars, the pace of the story goes down.
The passing of time is clearly depicted by Doyle in chapter 9:
-Watson slept until ‘late afternoon’
-A third night passes as Holmes is reduced to ‘worn and haggard’
-A fourth passes when he does scientific experiments until the ‘small hours’
contrast to when he takes charge again- there is the chase with fast pace.
How is Holmes described as being rational?
‘A calculating machine!’- exclamatory- suggests frustration at him
‘There is something positively inhuman about you’
He deals with Watson’s brother and his feelings towards Mary in a ‘cold and unemotional’
How is Homes sexist?
‘Women are not to be entirely trusted’
How is Holmes described as arrogant?
‘On the contrary I only require a few missing links to have an entirely connected case’
He says the police are ‘out of their depths’
He is the ‘only unofficial consulting detective’- could also be that he can’t cope with methods other than his; can’t work with many other people
Watson is ‘irritated by the egotism’ of his colleague
How is Athelney Jones presented?
‘Pompous’ ‘fat’- police force are inept- Jack the Ripper
‘Stern facts here- there is no room for theories’- ironic
‘Heavy steps and the clamour of loud voices were audible and the hall door shut with a loud crash’
- comical and messy
- satirising
How is Thaddeus Sholto presented as an interesting and eccentric character?
(4)
‘bald, shining scalp’ and ‘irregular teeth’—–>physiognomy- judging people on appearances
‘he writhed his hands’ and ‘his features were in a perpetual jerk’—–> writhe, jerk = awkward movements= uncomfortable/nervous
‘I am compelled to be a valetudinarian’—-> latin for ‘sickly’. He worries constantly about his own health and is tactless in the fact that he is oblivious to the distress he puts upon Mary
He is ‘callous’(insensitive/cruel) and made Watson want to ‘strike the man across his face’.
‘It would have been bad taste to treat a young lady in so scurvy a manner’
Though tactless, he doesn’t want to cheat Mary. Scurvy= worthless/contemptible= he thinks highly of himself- maybe that’s why he has these ‘kindly thoughts’ of returning treasure but the fact he talks ‘earnestly’ makes him seem genuine
