A Case of Identity
Jul. 14th, 2020 12:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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victorian221b1) “Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of interest. They are important, you understand, without being interesting”
This story supports the notion that Holmes also takes cases which are not extraordinary but allow to earn some money. He mentions in STUD that he consults various people for a fee often without leaving the room, and in SCAN he remarks: “There’s money in this case if there is nothing else.” Perhaps his signature style selectivity came later, when he became financially secure and could afford to decline uninteresting cases?
2) “Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite there stood a large woman”
The question of height difference between Holmes and Watson was once discussed in this community. In various adaptations the height difference between them varies, but judging by this line Watson wasn’t much shorter than Holmes or he would have had difficulty to look over Holmes’s shoulder.
3) “...the boy in buttons entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat.”
The description of Miss Sutherland is rather uncharitable, isn’t it? Especially for a gentleman Watson is supposed to be. Re-reading this time, I noticed that there seems to be some antipathy which Watson has towards her (although he admits that her intention to be true to her fiancé is noble). He calls her face “vacuous” twice, implying that Miss Sutherland is not particularly sharp, and the tone in which he describes her appearance is somewhat derisive. I wonder why that may be. Watson usually mocks people who were in some ways unkind to Holmes, like Lestrade with his arrogance or Jabez Wilson with his jibes. Miss Sutherland does nothing of the sort. It has always annoyed me how Holmes was dismissive about her in the end, saying that she wouldn’t believe him even if he told her the truth. But what if he in fact did tell her and faced some unpleasantness from her? That’s the territory of speculations and headcanons, of course.
3) “Sherlock Holmes welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair”
This quote illustrates Holmes's courteous behaviour towards women, regardless of their status and personal qualities. First of all he is a gentleman. He is polite even with female villains like Isadora Klein in 3GAB, so those adaptations where he is downright rude or arrogant towards women make me cringe. (This is one of the things I had to get used to in Granada. I nearly passed on it because of the way Holmes is with Mrs. Hudson).
4) “Never mind,” said Holmes, laughing; ”it is my business to know things.”
Holmes's humanity here. He easily laughs when he is amused.
5) “Let the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life.”
Holmes's kindness. Holmes is never an unfeeling jerk. He has empathy for this girl who was cruelly tricked, even though he doubts she'd believe him.
6) “My boy”, “Would you mind reading me the advertised description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?”
And here Holmes uses an endearment to Watson and asks him to read aloudbecause he likes the sound of Watson's voice. Seriously, though, their interactions are filled with such sweet domesticity.
7) “he quotes Balzac”
So much for “Knowledge of literature.—Nil.” 😄
8) “he wished to be able to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were instituted”
Breach of promise and why Miss Sutherland couldn't sue her stepfather have been discussed here. Still wondering whether there was no way for her to sue him, for fraud or something like that.
9) “A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own attention at the time”
For once Watson is busy doctoring
10) “He conceives an idea more creditable to his head than to his heart.”
“By Jove!” he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the man’s face, “it is not part of my duties to my client, but here’s a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat myself to—”
Again, Holmes humanity. He is disgusted with the cynicism of the stepfather and is angry on the girl's behalf. By no means a detached cold reasoner.
This story supports the notion that Holmes also takes cases which are not extraordinary but allow to earn some money. He mentions in STUD that he consults various people for a fee often without leaving the room, and in SCAN he remarks: “There’s money in this case if there is nothing else.” Perhaps his signature style selectivity came later, when he became financially secure and could afford to decline uninteresting cases?
2) “Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite there stood a large woman”
The question of height difference between Holmes and Watson was once discussed in this community. In various adaptations the height difference between them varies, but judging by this line Watson wasn’t much shorter than Holmes or he would have had difficulty to look over Holmes’s shoulder.
3) “...the boy in buttons entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat.”
The description of Miss Sutherland is rather uncharitable, isn’t it? Especially for a gentleman Watson is supposed to be. Re-reading this time, I noticed that there seems to be some antipathy which Watson has towards her (although he admits that her intention to be true to her fiancé is noble). He calls her face “vacuous” twice, implying that Miss Sutherland is not particularly sharp, and the tone in which he describes her appearance is somewhat derisive. I wonder why that may be. Watson usually mocks people who were in some ways unkind to Holmes, like Lestrade with his arrogance or Jabez Wilson with his jibes. Miss Sutherland does nothing of the sort. It has always annoyed me how Holmes was dismissive about her in the end, saying that she wouldn’t believe him even if he told her the truth. But what if he in fact did tell her and faced some unpleasantness from her? That’s the territory of speculations and headcanons, of course.
3) “Sherlock Holmes welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair”
This quote illustrates Holmes's courteous behaviour towards women, regardless of their status and personal qualities. First of all he is a gentleman. He is polite even with female villains like Isadora Klein in 3GAB, so those adaptations where he is downright rude or arrogant towards women make me cringe. (This is one of the things I had to get used to in Granada. I nearly passed on it because of the way Holmes is with Mrs. Hudson).
4) “Never mind,” said Holmes, laughing; ”it is my business to know things.”
Holmes's humanity here. He easily laughs when he is amused.
5) “Let the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life.”
Holmes's kindness. Holmes is never an unfeeling jerk. He has empathy for this girl who was cruelly tricked, even though he doubts she'd believe him.
6) “My boy”, “Would you mind reading me the advertised description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?”
And here Holmes uses an endearment to Watson and asks him to read aloud
7) “he quotes Balzac”
So much for “Knowledge of literature.—Nil.” 😄
8) “he wished to be able to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were instituted”
Breach of promise and why Miss Sutherland couldn't sue her stepfather have been discussed here. Still wondering whether there was no way for her to sue him, for fraud or something like that.
9) “A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own attention at the time”
For once Watson is busy doctoring
10) “He conceives an idea more creditable to his head than to his heart.”
“By Jove!” he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the man’s face, “it is not part of my duties to my client, but here’s a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat myself to—”
Again, Holmes humanity. He is disgusted with the cynicism of the stepfather and is angry on the girl's behalf. By no means a detached cold reasoner.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-14 11:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-15 04:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-15 06:37 pm (UTC)Holmes' kindness and gentlemanly conduct towards women is gratifying and sorely overlooked in majority of adaptations.
Whilst I would have liked Holmes to try telling Miss Sutherland the truth I do not find his tone too dismissive. After observing a couple of family members falling for men of dubious character and denying all efforts to convince them of the truth (kind & courteous to more desperate pleas)...I would be shocked (happily so) if Miss Sutherland had listened and accepted the truth. I think Holmes was probably approaching it from this angle: the effort required wouldn't be worth the attempt.
It would have been nice if he tried, though I am glad he was willing to thrash the fellow!
Will comment also tomorrow :-)
no subject
Date: 2020-07-15 08:21 pm (UTC)I’d like to write a story someday about A Case of Identity where Holmes does tell Miss Sutherland all :)
no subject
Date: 2020-07-16 07:35 pm (UTC)1.] Holmes to Watson right at the beginning: "...If we could fly out of that window hand in hand, hover over this great city…."
I love this line because it is another peek into Holmes' humanity. Holmes doesn't remark that only he would go seeking the outlandish, no, Watson is there with him. For me, it is almost a castaway comment upon their friendship, that Watson must be there alongside the detective. Simply put that Watson is not a mere habit or piece of furniture as Watson later complains ;)
2.] This case is one of the more unsettling ones considering the crime and little recourse to be had. As
3.] Watson is doctoring!!! Shocking. It is amusing how for a doctor, Watson actually practicing is rare enough it can surprise the reader.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-17 10:28 am (UTC)This story really needs a fix: I’d like to see Holmes actually telling Miss Sutherland of his findings, her coming to terms with it and leaving behind Hosmer Angel as well as her treacherous household, and then Holmes’s prediction about Windibank coming true.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-18 05:49 pm (UTC)Agree wholeheartedly that a fix is required, as the ending is unsatisfying and along the lines reference!