The Sign of Four (1890), the second novel in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, masterfully blends detective fiction with Gothic thriller and imperial critique. Set in Victorian London, the story revolves around a stolen treasure, a pact among convicts, and a web of betrayal, all unraveled by Holmes’s razor-sharp intellect. The novel introduces Mary Morstan, Dr. Watson’s future wife, and delves into themes of greed, justice, and British colonialism in India.
Author’s Biography
- Full Name: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930).
- Early Life: Born in Edinburgh; studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh under Dr. Joseph Bell, whose deductive methods inspired Sherlock Holmes.
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Career:
- Practiced medicine briefly before turning to writing.
- Created Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Scarlet (1887), revolutionizing detective fiction.
- Served as a surgeon during the Boer War; knighted in 1902 for his wartime writings.
- Later Years: Became a vocal spiritualist, advocating communication with the dead; authored The History of Spiritualism (1926).
- Legacy: Wrote 56 Holmes stories and 4 novels, alongside historical fiction, plays, and essays.
Author’s Style
- Rational Deduction: Emphasizes logic, forensic science, and observation (e.g., Holmes’s cocaine use to "stimulate" his mind).
- Narrative Technique: Dr. Watson’s first-person perspective lends authenticity and contrasts Holmes’s cold rationality.
- Genre Fusion: Combines detective fiction with adventure, Gothic horror (e.g., Tonga’s savage portrayal), and colonial critique.
- Symbolism: The Agra treasure symbolizes imperial plunder; London reflects Victorian progress and decay.
- Dialogue: Sharp, witty exchanges reveal character (e.g., Holmes’s iconic: “When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains... must be the truth”).
Plot Summary
- The Mystery Begins: Mary Morstan seeks Holmes’s help after receiving anonymous pearls and a letter about her missing father, Captain Morstan.
- The Sholto Connection: Holmes learns of a stolen treasure linked to Major Sholto, Morstan’s comrade in India. The Major’s sons, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, hide the treasure; Bartholomew is murdered.
- The Chase: Holmes traces the culprits—Jonathan Small (a wooden-legged convict) and Tonga (an Andaman Islander)—via a steam launch, Aurora.
- Resolution: Small confesses to the "Sign of Four" pact; the treasure is lost in the Thames. Watson proposes to Mary; Holmes returns to cocaine.
Main Characters
Character Role Traits
Sherlock Holmes Detective Brilliant, eccentric, cocaine user; solves cases through deduction.
Dr. John Watson Narrator Loyal, empathetic; falls for Mary Morstan.
Mary Morstan Client Governess; inherits the treasure’s moral burden.
Jonathan Small Antagonist Wooden-legged ex-convict; seeks revenge for betrayal.
Tonga Small’s accomplice Andaman Islander; depicted as “savage” (colonial stereotype).
Thaddeus Sholto Eccentric heir Nervous, guilt-ridden over the treasure.
Key Themes
- Imperialism: Critiques British colonialism (e.g., looted Indian treasure, racist depictions of Tonga).
- Greed & Betrayal: The treasure destroys lives (Morstan, Sholtos, Small).
- Justice vs. Revenge: Small’s quest for vengeance ends in defeat.
- Victorian Fear: Xenophobia (Tonga as the “other”); class anxiety (Watson’s “golden barrier”).
- Gender Roles: Holmes’s mistrust of women reflects Victorian biases.
Notable Facts
- Publication: Serialized in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine (1890).
- Adaptations: 13+ film/TV versions, including a 1983 BBC series.
- Holmes’s Cocaine Use: Controversially depicted as a stimulant for his “restless mind.”
- Historical Context: References the 1857 Indian Rebellion and Andaman penal colony.
The Sign of Four transcends detective fiction, offering a lens into Victorian anxieties about empire, race, and morality. Holmes’s genius and Doyle’s narrative flair ensure its enduring appeal, while its colonial subtext invites modern re-evaluation.
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