Sign of Four Characters Flashcards
Name and Explain the four adjectives to describe Sherlock Holmes.
Intellectual- Holmes is well-read, musically gifted and speaks at least two European languages.
Restless- Holmes thrives on mental challenges and puzzles. He prefers to be intellectually stimulated.
Observant- Holmes tells Watson about a recent work he has written about the subtle differences he has noticed in the ash of difference tobaccos
Egotistical- Holmes tells Watson about a recent work he has written about the subtle differences he has noticed in the ash of difference tobaccos
Explain Sherlock Holmes Relationship with other characters.
The central friendship in the novella is between Holmes and Watson:
Conan Doyle presents the reader with the consulting detective and his close friend, with whom he shares his ideas and theories. As Watson is our narrator, it means these thoughts are shared with the reader.
Holmes is rational and logical, Watson more romantic and emotional. In this way, Conan Doyle presents a balanced friendship between the two.
What are the key ideas about Sherlock Holmes?
Skilled Detective- presented as superior to official detectives and his skill is reflected by his “hawk-like” appearance as he hunts down criminals like a bird of prey
Own Methods Developed to solve mysteries- he is rational and logical and approaches a case like a scientist as thinks detective work “ought to be” an “exact science”. He has an extreme attention to ting details such as blood on the rope Small used to climb building: “extraordinary genius for minutiae”.
Intelligent and talented- well-read and well-educated as Doyle uses sophisticated language in Holmes dialogue to reflect his intelligence.
Happy when solving cases- he abhors the “dull routine of existence” and craves “mental exaltation”. He is lively when working on mysteries but depressed when he isn’t.
Cold and Insensitive- he sees emotion as “antagonistic” to reasoning and has an under-developed emotional side.
Arrogant- He calls himself “the only” detective of his kind and is dismissive of other detectives. He patronisingly calls Watson “dear boy” and dismisses the as “simplicity itself” when Watson can’t understand.
Name and Explain the four adjectives to describe Dr John Watson.
Loyal- Watson is committed to Holmes and follows him into a range of potentially dangerous situations. Watson places his trust in Holmes entirely and has such loyalty that he sticks with his friend, even when he has lost track of his whereabouts.
Admiring- Watson openly admits his admiration for his companion, Sherlock Holmes. He makes no effort to disguise his wonder at Holmes’ capacity for solving this mystery and is undaunted by Holmes’ patronising response that it is ‘simplicity itself’.
Romantic- Holmes accuses Watson of taking a fanciful approach to detection in his writing of ‘A Study in Scarlet’. The characters are very different in their response to Holmes’ detection work. Watson sees romance where Holmes observes cold facts.
Honourable- When Watson falls in love with Mary Morstan he worries that her inheritance will come between them. He is concerned that any romantic advances that he might make will be seen as ‘fortune-seeking’. He is also worried about taking advantage of her emotional state.
Explain Watson’s relationship with other characters.
He is very loyal towards Sherlock Holmes and regards him as the closest of friends to the extent he even follows him into potentially dangerous situations which he finds adventurous and exciting. This shows the extent of trust he has in Sherlock as he is not worried. He also is concerned about Sherlock’s wellbeing and advises against the drug use
When he first meets Miss Mary Morstan, Watson is struck by how attractive she is. Their growing love story is a sub-plot of the novel. A complication in the development of their romance comes in the form of the Agra treasure and Miss Morstan’s entitlement to it. Watson is wary of being perceived as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker’. At the end, when the treasure has been lost, he feels able, at last, to declare his love.
What are the key ideas about Dr Watson?
Narrates the novel- Holmes explains his theories to Watson which means it is explained to reader as well. He is can be as a reliable narrator as he is honest about his lack of understanding however his bias-ism towards Holmes and emotions towards Mary interferes with his narrative.
Traditional- he would marry Mary as he is financial weak and treats women in a victorian fashion such as elaving dreadful details when updating the case to Mary.
Opposite of Holmes- disapproves Holmes drugs use and is a more of a stable character unlike the moody Holmes. He is a romantic character and in touch with emotion unlike the cold Sherlock.
Name and Explain 4 adjectives to describe Mary Morstan.
Innocent- She leads a quiet life as a governess.
Modest- The only adornment that Miss Morstan wears is a small white feather.
Calm & Composed- She is quiet and able to offer comfort to the housekeeper at Pondicherry Lodge.
Delicate- “she was weak and helpess, shaken in mind and nerve”
Explain Mary’s relationship with other characters.
Although she does not have a relationship with anyone at the start of the novel, She develops a romantic relationship with Dr Watson which is given through the perspective of Watson
Also, Captain Morstan is her long lost father which fuelled the whole plot and mystery of this novel due to his mysterious unknown disappearance
What are the key ideas about Mary?
Story Catalyst- brings about two mysteries to Holmes which starts the novel and is part of the romantic sub-plot
Model Victorian Women- she is composed, dependant , passive and gentle/refined.
Values love over wealth- she appears to have “limited means” but the prospect of the treasures does not cause her to show any “sign of elation” and is not motivated by money.
Name and Explain 4 adjectives to describe Athelney Jones
Pompous- The police inspector is dismissive of Holmes’ theories about the perpetrator of the crime, and makes a wrongful arrest.
Comic- Mr Athelney Jones is presented as a somewhat comic character. His blustering nature is in contrast with the composure of Sherlock Holmes
Arrogant- He was overly confident and self-assured in the first meetings with Jones about the suspect of the murder and looked down upon Sherlock Holmes as some Maniac Detective highlighting his arrogance.
Apologetic- When it turns out that Thaddeus Sholto has a firm alibi for the night of Bartholomew’s murder, Jones returns self-effacingly to ask for Holmes’ help
Explain Jones’ relationship with other characters.
Although at the start he had limited relationships with anyone due to his arrogant behaviour, he later develops a better relationship with Sherlock Holmes and his crew as he realises he and his accusation was wrong thus he required help from Sherlock to solve the case
What are key ideas about Athelney?
Strong contrast to Holmes- presented as clumsy and loud using unscientific methods compared to the silent and calm Holmes using scientific methods.
Attitude towards Holmes changes- At first is dismissive of Holmes but he becomes “meek and even apologetic” and calls Holmes a “wonderful man” but still patronisingly says Holmes would make a “promising” officer.
Comical- His incompetence creates humour while he pompously portrays himself as a brilliant detective. He acts as if he is blessed with inspiration when theorising about mystery: “These flashes come upon me at times”.
Name and Explain 3 adjectives to describe Jonathon Small.
Frightening- When Mrs Smith describes the one-legged man to Holmes and Watson, she paints an unpleasant picture
Calculating- Small explains how he took advantage of the fact that Major Sholto was in debt
Ruthless- He has no concern for other people and uses them to meet his ends. In his bid to escape he takes advantage of Tonga’s devotion
Explain Small’s role in crime.
Jonathon Small stole the treasure chest from Bartholomew’s Attic and led the whole heist
Jonathan Small describes how he was caught up in this rebellion and took refuge in Agra. This is where he meets the Sikhs who enlist his help to murder the merchant Achmet and steal the chest of treasure.
He also escaped the Prison Andaman Islands with Tonga on his boat
Name and Explain 3 adjectives to describe Tonga.
Hideous/Savage- When Watson sees the islander on the boat, he is struck with the savage appearance of the man.
Diminutive- his feet were disproportionately large compared to his body
Loyal- Jonathan Small exploits his loyalty and sacrifices Tonga for him to escape
