ACD Re-read: The Speckled Band
Aug. 6th, 2020 03:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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victorian221bOnly a few notes this time due to being ill, my apologies! Like The Five Orange Pips I consider The Speckled Band quite tragic even though one sister lived, mainly because she doesn't survive for long which I always found unfair.
Date
Watson clearly sets the date as early April 1883 when both of them were sharing rooms as bachelors.
Further, Watson in the opening sentence frames the story as being one of seventy odd cases during the last eight years. Thus, Watson is looking back in the year 1891.
He is sharing the story due to her death and to the terrible rumours as to her stepfather's death. What rumours? Who is spreading them? And why so long after the fact?
Regular habits
It appears both Watson and Holmes are well matched, for Holmes is a late riser we find and Watson "...for I was myself regular in my habits."
Poor household! I do love how it went down the chord from Mrs Hudson to Holmes to Watson.
Holmes knows his Watson
The reason for Holmes awakening Watson at 7.15am? A lady client. Holmes is aware of the peculiarity of the lady's early visit and Watson's interest in strange cases so wakes him to have the opportunity to attend.
This is a nice display of Holmes' knowledge of Watson and his kindness in accommodating his Watson.
Watson indeed confirms his fascination with observing Holmes' cases, 'I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations…'
Holmes' Compassion
The instant he perceives Miss Stoner is trembling he insists she sits close to the fire. Of course it is terror, but this is another example of how gentle Sherlock is with people and ladies in particular.
Holmes is also upset by her stepfather's treatment, exposing the bruises on her wrist:
"You have been cruelly used.."
Cold and logical Holmes may be at some points, yet the majority of the time he evidences deep emotion, simply more contained until he laughs, delves into music or can show it to Watson or a client.
Case
I think this is one of Doyle's stronger mysteries, despite the mistake in snake facts! Mainly because it is truly creepy and disturbing how callous Roylott is towards his stepdaughters.
It truly highlights as well the lack of options women had to escape difficult situations.
I do like how the Lenfilm adaptation acknowledges the snake problem re hearing, but leaves it hanging with an air of mystery.
Myself? For fun I propose an unreliable Watson shielding the real cause :- supernatural? Another natural animal?
More rationally, perhaps the snake was trained in a different manner & Watson used the whistle for more dramatic purposes or to hide the true method so it couldn't be replicated?
Please do share your opinions!
For further reading, thesherlock60 comm also had a discussion on this tale: DW Link
Date
Watson clearly sets the date as early April 1883 when both of them were sharing rooms as bachelors.
Further, Watson in the opening sentence frames the story as being one of seventy odd cases during the last eight years. Thus, Watson is looking back in the year 1891.
He is sharing the story due to her death and to the terrible rumours as to her stepfather's death. What rumours? Who is spreading them? And why so long after the fact?
Regular habits
It appears both Watson and Holmes are well matched, for Holmes is a late riser we find and Watson "...for I was myself regular in my habits."
Poor household! I do love how it went down the chord from Mrs Hudson to Holmes to Watson.
Holmes knows his Watson
The reason for Holmes awakening Watson at 7.15am? A lady client. Holmes is aware of the peculiarity of the lady's early visit and Watson's interest in strange cases so wakes him to have the opportunity to attend.
This is a nice display of Holmes' knowledge of Watson and his kindness in accommodating his Watson.
Watson indeed confirms his fascination with observing Holmes' cases, 'I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations…'
Holmes' Compassion
The instant he perceives Miss Stoner is trembling he insists she sits close to the fire. Of course it is terror, but this is another example of how gentle Sherlock is with people and ladies in particular.
Holmes is also upset by her stepfather's treatment, exposing the bruises on her wrist:
"You have been cruelly used.."
Cold and logical Holmes may be at some points, yet the majority of the time he evidences deep emotion, simply more contained until he laughs, delves into music or can show it to Watson or a client.
Case
I think this is one of Doyle's stronger mysteries, despite the mistake in snake facts! Mainly because it is truly creepy and disturbing how callous Roylott is towards his stepdaughters.
It truly highlights as well the lack of options women had to escape difficult situations.
I do like how the Lenfilm adaptation acknowledges the snake problem re hearing, but leaves it hanging with an air of mystery.
Myself? For fun I propose an unreliable Watson shielding the real cause :- supernatural? Another natural animal?
More rationally, perhaps the snake was trained in a different manner & Watson used the whistle for more dramatic purposes or to hide the true method so it couldn't be replicated?
Please do share your opinions!
For further reading, the
sherlock60 comm also had a discussion on this tale: DW Link
no subject
Date: 2020-08-06 04:36 pm (UTC)Great to meet someone else who loves this story! I agree, the tale is quite gothic and creepy considering the setting & plot. I am glad it lived up to your memories, especially since it was one of the first you read originally. :=D
Such a narrow escape, and she got out of that terrible old house into her own marriage, but didn't live very long to enjoy it. :( I do love her characterization, and how Holmes and Watson treat her.
It is very sad. She received her happily ever after, only not to enjoy it long :/ I do like her characterisation too, and the gentle way Holmes and Watson treat is a highlight of the tale.
The confrontation with Dr Grimesby Roylott is dramatic! I always shudder at how he attempts to threaten Holmes, only for Holmes to laugh and brush his efforts aside. Oh yes, Holmes showing off for Watson is quite a delightful thought.
Ah...that exchange is an exquisite example of Holmes' affection for Watson. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and favourite scenes.
Gorgeous icon by-the-way!