ACD Re-read: The Copper Beeches
Aug. 25th, 2020 04:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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victorian221bThis tale is one of the creepiest in my opinion and quite unsettling, so forgive me for skirting around the case! I shall leave that to braver souls than I.
Date
There appears to be no overt clue here, beyond that it may be early on in their acquaintance since Watson doesn't mention his wife.
Yet in contradiction to the above Holmes later refers back to SCANDAL, Mary Sutherland, Twisted lip and the Noble Bachelor which places this tale at least after those. In three of these Watson is apparently married and Noble meant to be soon. Here though no mention is made of this.
Amusing if perplexing!
Doyle clearly didn’t keep ordered notes, making Watson a rather unreliable narrator who plays his audience wonderfully.
Holmes & Watson
-Holmes here is quite scathing of how Watson focuses on the sensational aspects of recording his cases for public, instead of illuminating upon Sherlock's method of deduction.
Whilst this can be understandably frustrating, it shows why Watson is the better writer. He knows how to intrigue the public.
-Watson takes offence at Holmes' manner and responds with some coldness to his friend’s rather harsh criticism.
It is fascinating to see this little minor argument since it highlights an unfavourable factor to Holmes' character in Watson's belief: Sherlock Holmes' egotism.
Naturally they both overcome this because of friendship and the case presented by Miss Violet Hunter.
-The cause of Holmes' upset is because he believes that due to Watson's writings he now has a mere governess contacting him for his services!
Apparently Holmes has forgotten his own remarks upon the matter that seemingly unimportant people can present wildly more curious affairs than those from more exalted quarters (reference to the Noble Bachelor).
Watson even reminds him of this here: "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You remember the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. It may be so in this case, also."
Good old faithful Watson! :)
-Watson here hopes that Holmes and Miss Hunter will become involved romantically. Why?
"I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and speech of his new client."
HOLMES TO MISS HUNTER: "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter….I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman."
High praise indeed! Of course Miss Hunter is accomplished in a little French, German, music and drawing.
Areas that might stir Holmes' interests, and Watson, a good friend desires his friend to be happy
Yet in counterpoint to this, Holmes clearly considers Miss Hunter in a brotherly fashion when muttering he wouldn’t allow a sister of his to accept the position.
Still, Watson hopes and is disappointed:
"As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further interest in her when once she ceased to be the centre of one of his problems…"
-Perhaps both men are fortunate Holmes did not act in a manner that might give Miss Hunter false hopes!
Also...maybe Watson is a trifle fond of Miss Hunter?
-The above is another example of the lack of romantic interest Holmes has towards women. Thus can be interpreted in various ways, but the coldly logical machine Watson first referenced in Bohemia is evidently incorrect considering how compassionate the consulting detective is towards others in most affairs.
Holmes' Compassion
In the last few cases Holmes has demonstrated his compassion and empathy for others and here he is no different.
He very strongly believed Miss Hunter to be in danger and mutters often that "no sister of his should ever have accepted such a situation."
I am fond of this line I admit and enjoyed how Brett delivered the declaration in the Granada episode.
Minor notes
-Considering how little a governess earns - according to this book, for example Miss Hunter earned £4 a month in her prior position, a £100 then £120 a year is tempting. It offers security and independence and considering Miss Hunter has no family, with life so difficult for women then, it is no wonder she chose to accept.
Yet the monetary reimbursement along with Mr Rustcastle' behaviour and demand for her to cut her hair, is what has Holmes deeply uneasy about the situation.
-Holmes famously decrides the countryside here to cheerful Watson who is quite bemused at his friend’s sentiment that much evil goes unnoticed in the deceptively serene country. Naturally, Holmes turns out to be quite correct here.
Let's hope that when he retires to Sussex, that apart from The Lion's Mane, the countryside is not as bad as our detective insists here ;)
Date
There appears to be no overt clue here, beyond that it may be early on in their acquaintance since Watson doesn't mention his wife.
Yet in contradiction to the above Holmes later refers back to SCANDAL, Mary Sutherland, Twisted lip and the Noble Bachelor which places this tale at least after those. In three of these Watson is apparently married and Noble meant to be soon. Here though no mention is made of this.
Amusing if perplexing!
Doyle clearly didn’t keep ordered notes, making Watson a rather unreliable narrator who plays his audience wonderfully.
Holmes & Watson
-Holmes here is quite scathing of how Watson focuses on the sensational aspects of recording his cases for public, instead of illuminating upon Sherlock's method of deduction.
Whilst this can be understandably frustrating, it shows why Watson is the better writer. He knows how to intrigue the public.
-Watson takes offence at Holmes' manner and responds with some coldness to his friend’s rather harsh criticism.
It is fascinating to see this little minor argument since it highlights an unfavourable factor to Holmes' character in Watson's belief: Sherlock Holmes' egotism.
Naturally they both overcome this because of friendship and the case presented by Miss Violet Hunter.
-The cause of Holmes' upset is because he believes that due to Watson's writings he now has a mere governess contacting him for his services!
Apparently Holmes has forgotten his own remarks upon the matter that seemingly unimportant people can present wildly more curious affairs than those from more exalted quarters (reference to the Noble Bachelor).
Watson even reminds him of this here: "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You remember the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. It may be so in this case, also."
Good old faithful Watson! :)
-Watson here hopes that Holmes and Miss Hunter will become involved romantically. Why?
"I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and speech of his new client."
HOLMES TO MISS HUNTER: "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter….I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman."
High praise indeed! Of course Miss Hunter is accomplished in a little French, German, music and drawing.
Areas that might stir Holmes' interests, and Watson, a good friend desires his friend to be happy
Yet in counterpoint to this, Holmes clearly considers Miss Hunter in a brotherly fashion when muttering he wouldn’t allow a sister of his to accept the position.
Still, Watson hopes and is disappointed:
"As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further interest in her when once she ceased to be the centre of one of his problems…"
-Perhaps both men are fortunate Holmes did not act in a manner that might give Miss Hunter false hopes!
Also...maybe Watson is a trifle fond of Miss Hunter?
-The above is another example of the lack of romantic interest Holmes has towards women. Thus can be interpreted in various ways, but the coldly logical machine Watson first referenced in Bohemia is evidently incorrect considering how compassionate the consulting detective is towards others in most affairs.
Holmes' Compassion
In the last few cases Holmes has demonstrated his compassion and empathy for others and here he is no different.
He very strongly believed Miss Hunter to be in danger and mutters often that "no sister of his should ever have accepted such a situation."
I am fond of this line I admit and enjoyed how Brett delivered the declaration in the Granada episode.
Minor notes
-Considering how little a governess earns - according to this book, for example Miss Hunter earned £4 a month in her prior position, a £100 then £120 a year is tempting. It offers security and independence and considering Miss Hunter has no family, with life so difficult for women then, it is no wonder she chose to accept.
Yet the monetary reimbursement along with Mr Rustcastle' behaviour and demand for her to cut her hair, is what has Holmes deeply uneasy about the situation.
-Holmes famously decrides the countryside here to cheerful Watson who is quite bemused at his friend’s sentiment that much evil goes unnoticed in the deceptively serene country. Naturally, Holmes turns out to be quite correct here.
Let's hope that when he retires to Sussex, that apart from The Lion's Mane, the countryside is not as bad as our detective insists here ;)
no subject
Date: 2020-08-25 06:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-26 11:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-26 02:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-26 02:09 pm (UTC)And no worries! O. Henry is a great storyteller too, so I was intrigued :)
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Date: 2020-08-26 12:00 pm (UTC)Curious like
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Date: 2020-08-26 02:08 pm (UTC)This will teach me to reply to things after dental procedures.
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Date: 2020-08-26 05:05 pm (UTC)Thank you for the clarification, the story title sounds suitably creepy!
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Date: 2020-08-25 07:20 pm (UTC)By the way, even Holmes clearly states here that Watson “embellishes” the stories. And even though we get a glimpse of Holmes’s less attractive side, somehow this domestic squabble is sweet anyway. It’s plainly one of those which loving spouses have: Holmes takes out his sour mood on Watson, Watson is irritated but without any real anger as he reasons with Holmes and later very invested in the case brought to them by Miss Hunter. (Also, Holmes is such a drama queen: “This note I had this morning marks my zero-point”, etc. etc.)
And from a shippy point of view Watson’s futile hope for Holmes’s getting involved with Miss Hunter may be another oblique way of stating that Holmes is queer.
Fun fact: Doyle’s sisters may have inspired this story as they had to work as governesses abroad when the Doyle family was poor. They were far away from home and could rely only on themselves. Here’s an excerpt from Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters:
Conan Doyle’s sisters were constantly on his mind. Annette (‘Tottie’), two years older than him, was working as a governess in Portugal now, and sending her pay home to help with her younger sisters’ schooling—it being understood that they would follow in that genteel if humble line of work themselves once they were old enough. From his sisters Conan Doyle learned about the nature and also the occasional perils of their work, and made one of Sherlock Holmes’s most endearing clients a governess, Violet Hunter in ‘The Adventure of the Copper Beeches’. ‘I confess,’ Holmes tells Miss Hunter after hearing about the new position she has been offered, ‘that it is not the situation which I should like to see a sister of mine apply for.’
Mr. Rucastle’s behaviour is creepy from the start. Imagine applying for a job and your potential boss giving you a predatory look and saying “Capital! That will do!” Uuuuggggh.
Even though Miss Hunter is tempted with the money, she’s more prudent than Mr. Hatherley and comes to consult Holmes before agreeing to take the job. In case she disappears, at least there will be someone who will raise the alarm. It’s also notable how often Holmes helps out those without any family or friends who could help them. He seems to be a magnet for such people, including Watson who used to be as lonely.
Holmes’s remark about his horror of isolated country places and that being based on personal experience is rather intriguing. Is that a hint to something dark in Holmes’s own past which left such an impression on him? His reasoning that city slums are safer because of being populous is quite questionable. One can be terribly lonely while surrounded with people if no one around cares which is often the case in slums.
Re: your remark about Sussex, I hope their life there is peaceful but nevertheless occasionally eventful like in best tradition of English country detective stories (especially Agatha Christie’s ;))
A side note: it’s interesting that the word ‘fad’ is actually so old! One would think it to be a contemporary colloquialism.
Holmes mentions that he devised seven possible explanations. Aside from YELL he doesn’t voice his various conjectures before he has all the facts at his disposal.
By the way, The Black Swan inn where H&W stay is a real place.
https://literarywinchester.org.uk/authors/arthur-conan-doyle-1859-1930/
http://www.insidehampshire.co.uk/solved-mystery-of-sherlock-holmes-in-winchester/
https://www.winchester.gov.uk/news/2012/feb/winchester-s-famous-black-swan-is-to-be-restored-to-its-former-glory/
There are certain similarities with HOUN in terms of the appearance of the dog and the menace associated with it:
“It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones.”
It could be straight from the novel written much much later.
And lastly, I looked up special marriage licence. It is issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury in case of emergencies. Since Miss Alice’s father was against the marriage and treated her so poorly, her case was certainly an emergency.
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Date: 2020-08-26 11:11 am (UTC)Sussex stories are my favourites to write. It's just so fun to have older H&W encounter mysteries in a peaceful countryside where they live quietly :)