victorian221b | ACD Re-read: The Copper Beeches

This 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 ;)