SoF - Thaddeus Sholto

Question 1

What key points can you use in your intro?

Answer 1

• Eccentric character with peculiarity -> Heightens tension to climax at his home and Pondicherry Lodge
• Unsettled and fearful character -> Contrast to subdued Holmes -> Antithetical to Victorian social ideals of the time
• Thaddeus’ indulgence -> Greed

Question 2

What is paragraph 1 about?

Answer 2

Sholto’s eccentric character with many peculiar traits

Question 3

What are some quotes you can use in paragraph 1?

Answer 3

• “now smiling, now scowling”
• “ecstasy of fear”
• “perpetual jerk” -> Semantics

Question 4

What is paragraph 2 about?

Answer 4

Sholto’s unsettled and fearful character

Question 5

What are some quotes you can use in paragraph 2?

Answer 5

• “hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes”
• “wringing his hands and moaning” vs “sharp, querulous cry”
• “expression of a terrified child”
• “Oh dear! Oh dear! I know that I shall go mad” + “convulsive frenzy”

Question 6

What AO3 can you use in paragraph 2?

Answer 6

In 19th Century England, men were expected to be firm, controlling and independent, which is an opposite to the extravagant character of Sholto

Question 7

What is paragraph 3 about?

Answer 7

Thaddeus’ indulgence + Desperate isolation

Question 8

What are some quotes you can use in paragraph 3?

Answer 8

• “An oasis of art in the howling desert” vs. corridor
• “sanctum”
• “patron of the arts”

Question 9

What AO3 can you use in paragraph 3?

Answer 9

Pondicherry Lodge’s excesses are indicative of their time period where Indian artefacts would be an indicator of wealth and status.

Question 10

What key point can you mention in your conc?

Answer 10

Doyle uses Thaddeus Sholto as an eccentric character, who not only adds to the mystery of the novel, but also aids in building tension