Summary
Summary AQA GCSE English Literature 19th Century Novel - The Sign of Four Chapter 7
AQA GCSE English Literature for 19th Century Novel - The Sign of Four by Arthur Conon Doyle CHAPTER 7
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Chapter 7 – The Episode of the Barrel Watson takes Mary home. His feelings for her has intensified, but he doesn’t confess
them to her.
Watson thinks it is wrong to force ‘words of affection’ on her when she is in a ‘week and
helpless’ state. This shows he is honourable.
He worries that Mary will think he is a ‘vulgar fortune-seeker’ – he doesn’t want her to
think he is interested in her money. Having Mary’s good opinion means more to him
that his own happiness.
In the 19th century, wealth brought power. This meant that an heiress may have been
the target of men wanting to increase their own wealth and status.
Doyle’s Techniques
Doyle hints that Watson and Mary will overcome these setbacks. Watson says that Mary
has since told him that she thought he was ‘cold and distant’ on this journey. This
suggests that their relationship becomes closer than it is at this point.
Holmes returns to Pondicherry Lodge with Toby and learns that Jones has arrested the
household staff. This makes Jones’ approach seem irrational.
Doyle’s Techniques
Holmes says that Jones showed an ‘immense display of energy’ in making the arrests,
but the reader knows he has arrested the wrong people – this creates irony.
In contrast, Holmes is calm and ready to look for more clues. He points out the trail of
creosote and goes on to the roof to follow it to the ground.
On the roof, he finds a ‘pouch’ of thorns like the one used to kill Bartholomew. It is made
from exotic materials like ‘coloured grasses’ – this supports Holmes’ theory that Small’s
associate is foreign.
Holmes explains his theories about Johnathan Small to Watson as they follow Toby, who
is ‘eagerly’ pursuing the creosote trail. This fills in some gaps in the case without slowing
the pace of the novel.
Holmes thinks that Small drew a map to the treasure for Major Sholto and Captain
Morstan. Small couldn’t get the treasure himself because he was imprisoned. The
officers betrayed Small and took the treasure.
Small escaped and went to get revenge on Major Sholto – he was the man who
appeared at Major Sholto’s window. After his death, Small searched his room for the
treasure and left ‘The Sign of Four’ note.
He kept a ‘secret watch’ on Thaddeus and Bartholomew, so he knew when they found
the treasure. Small’s associate helped him get into the room, but accidently trod in
creosote. The associate killed Bartholomew.
Watson sees the case as a ‘labyrinth’ – solving one mystery introduces a ‘deeper’ one. It
seems impossible to solve, which makes Holmes’ progress remarkable.
Holmes loads his gun, which hints that there is danger ahead – this creates tension.
However, Toby then follows the wrong trail. This unexpected twist creates humour and
breaks the tension.
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