Sign of Four Context

Question 1

What is Physiognomy?

Answer 1

Judging someone only on their appearance

Question 2

What was social class?

Answer 2

• Very distinctive class system
• Was only considered acceptable to Marry in your own class.
• Watson sees himself lower than Mary because of this

Question 3

What was the aesthetic movement?

Answer 3

• ‘Arts for arts sake,
• Covering houses in art for no reason
• Links to the character of Thaddeus sholto

Question 4

What was colonisation?

Answer 4

• The British Empire was colonising large areas of India.
• People high up in the military became corrupt and got great wealth
• Place British values and law on other people

Question 5

What was the police force at the time like?

Answer 5

• Detective policing had “No place” in England
• Statistics show a reduction in crime in the 19th century
• Police often misreported crimes
• Prevention was the main focus of policing and not solving existing crimes