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Summary AQA GCSE English Literature 19th Century Novel - The Sign of Four Chapter 2
AQA GCSE English Literature for 19th Century Novel - The Sign of Four by Arthur Conon Doyle CHAPTER 2
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Chapter 2 – The Statement of the Case Mary Morstan is introduced and Watson observes her carefully – he is immediately
interested in her. He notices her ‘intense inward agitation’ – this creates suspense
because the reader must wait for the cause of her distress to be revealed.
Character: Sherlock Holmes
Mary’s employer recommended Holmes to Mary because of his ‘kindness and skill’. He
has a very good reputation as a detective.
Mary asks Holmes to help her to understand an ‘utterly inexplicable’ situation – she
offers him the mental stimulation that he desperately needs.
Mary introduces the novel’s main mystery and give a factual explanation of the case:
Mary’s father, Captain Morstan, went missing in London ten years ago when he was on
leave from the army in India. His friend, Major Sholto, was the only person in the city
who knew Morstan, but he knew nothing about the disappearance. After replying six
years ago to a newspaper advert asking for her address, Mary began to receive a pearl in
the post each year.
Character: Sherlock Holmes
The prospect of a mystery changes Holmes – he becomes focused and enthusiastic. His
eyes ‘glistened’ – this contrasts with Chapter 1, when they were ‘lack-lustre’.
The reason for Mary’s visit is finally revealed – that morning, she received a letter telling
her that she is a ‘wronged woman’ and asking her to meet an unknown person at the
Lyceum Theatre that evening. Holmes and Watson agree to accompany her.
When Holmes questions Mary about the letter, she gives him an answer that he
expected. This implies that he is holding back deductions he has already made, which
increases the reader’s anticipation.
Holmes and Watson have different reactions to Mary:
Watson thinks that Mary is ‘very attractive’, but Holmes doesn’t observe this. Watson
has a romantic interest in Mary, but Holmes only cares about her case. This highlights
the difference in their characters.
Watson finds Holmes’ lack of emotional interest in Mary ‘positively inhuman’. However,
Holmes believes that ‘emotional qualities’ affect his ability to reason. He values this over
making personal connections.
Holmes leaves to pursue the case – he is so eager to solve it that he acts immediately.
Watson is distracted by thoughts of a romance with Mary, but worries his ‘weak leg and
a weaker banking-account’ might prevent it.
Doyle’s Techniques
Watson’s concerns reflect the fact that in the 19th century, men were expected to
support their wives financially.
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