A Study in Scarlet: Chapters 1 - 2
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victorian221bA Study in Scarlet
Chapter 1 - Mr Sherlock Holmes
Welcome to a canon read of A Study in Scarlet!mightymads and I will be taking it in turns to make notes on the chapters and post in alternating manner each week.
Please feel free to comment and post your insights and general chit-chat - we would love to hear from you!
Warning! A long set of notes for Chapter 1, merely due to setting the scene! I promise I will be briefer in my observations from Chapter 2 onwards.
So, Chapter 1, herein begins the tales of Dr John Watson and Mr Sherlock Holmes.
Date
I appreciate dating in Holmesian canon is rather difficult and bemusing with Sir Doyle’s own contradictions, but at least here with the first story we can tentatively put some dates.
Watson was granted his degree off Doctor of Medicine in 1878, University of London), and then proceeded to Netley for instructions for surgeons in the Army.
He says clearly that he completed his studies and was attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. However, he was unable to join them before the second Afghan war broke out.
Second Afghan War. According to wikipedia this broke out in 1878 and lasted to 1870, being split into two campaigns, the first beginning in November 1878.
Therefore, it must be late 1878 when Watson is sent to India, from whence he removes from Bombay to Candahar and joins his regiment.
Battle of Maiwand 27th July 1880.
This battle proves disastrous for Watson, but it is noticeable that roughly a year and a half has elapsed since he has joined the Army...if we can take the dates and account seriously (and currently, Watson is not known as an unreliable narrator).
I wonder what Watson was up to in that year and a half? Fic anyone? :D
There is some indication that he perhaps was removed from his brigade (the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers) not long prior to this battle and attached to the Berkshires, but this can be debated.
War Wound
‘There I was struck on the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery.’
A serious wound and it is a testament to Murray, his assistant, for saving his life and the doctors and nurses who tended him back to health. The location of Watson’s wound is quite definite here, but of course moves location in later canon. I do prefer using the excuse that Watson was perhaps selective in where he was wounded, deciding that his list of woes were sufficient to be going on with in his first record of Mr Holmes’ methods.
Yet Watson recovers only to be struck down with “enteric fever”, which from searching appears to be Typhoid fever.
Poor Watson spends months with his life despaired of before becoming well enough to be sent home.
England & Mr Sherlock Holmes
Dating becomes a little hazy now, for months have passed, so it is probably some point in 1881.
Watson note he has no “kith or kin in England”, but leaves Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland out of that assessment. So plot away!
Watson enjoys the finer pleasures in life for he chooses an expensive hotel to abide in the Criterion, and I can do no better than direct you tomightymads informative summary of the Criterion’s position within history and society.
Known for excellent food we can establish that Watson must enjoy fine foods and luxurious surroundings, which Watson supports “So alarming did the state of my finances become, that I soon realised that I must either leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere in the country, or that I must make a complete alteration in my style of living...and take up quarters in some less pretentious and less expensive domicile.”
That the Criterion became popular meeting place for queer men (apparently later on after 1881) this is also intriguing history wise.
So!
Watson meets Stamford and is eager to see him and they dine in the Holburn (another expensive hotel).
On the way Stamford mentions Mr Holmes also needing to go halves with someone on a living room and manages, despite granting Watson some wariness on the matter considering Stamford’s odd comments, to have Watson wish to see Mr Holmes.
Watson hilariously remarks during their conversation that:
“...I am not strong enough yet to stand much noise or excitement I had enough of both in Afghanistan to last me for the remainder of my natural existence.”
Considering how quickly Watson become embroiled in the upcoming case his sentiment is proven incorrect rather swiftly!
In fact...even before”Oh! A mystery is it?” I cried, rubbing my hands…
“You must study him, then,” Stamford said, as he bade me goodbye. “You’ll find him a knotty problem, though. I’ll wager he learns more about you than you about him. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” I answered, and strolled to my hotel, considerably interested in my new acquaintance.
It is quite wonderful how fascinated by his new companion Watson is and truly, as it turns out, they couldn’t be a better fit for each other!
Mr Holmes
Their first meeting is lovely and full of amusement and bemusement. Stamford is greeted initially, then when Watson enquires into the meaning of his experiment Holmes’ enthusiasm and excitement stand out to Watson, who is full of astonishment.
The coldly logical machine is not evident here. Indeed, we are met with a a man who chuckles to himself, seizes Watson by the coat-sleeve, eyes that glitter in joy at the result of his haemoglobin test.
Further, I would say that Mr Ronald Howard’s Holmes displays this enthusiasm beautifully, as well as his fondness for poisons (poor Marion-Crawford Watson!):
...Sherlock Holmes, sticking a small piece of plaster over the prick on his finger. “I have to be careful,” he continued turning to me with a smile, “for I dabble with poisons a good deal.”
He held out his hand as he spoke and I noticed that it was mottled over with similar pieces of plaster, and discoloured with strong acids.
Also, smiling!
Holmes’ anxiousness over whether they are fit for each other - and therefore must declare their less savoury habits upfront - is practical and sweet, particularly, his worry that Watson’s rows may be directed towards violins:
Do you include violin playing in your category of rows?” he asked anxiously.
“It depends on the player,” I answered. “A well-played violin is a treat for the gods-a badly played one-”
“Oh, that’s all right,” he cried with a merry laugh.”
A jovial anxious Mr Sherlock Holmes is very much canon, and more so than those moments where he is coldly logical. Holmes can be impolite, and imperfect (he is a complex human after all), but he is certainly not devoid of emotion.
Chapter 2 - The Science of Deduction
Holmes & Watson are now living together and it is nice to note that Watson declares Holmes "not a difficult man to live with".
As in previous canon tales we have confirmation of regular habits for Holmes, though a slight contradiction in that Holmes usually retires early (before 10pm) and is up, breakfasted and gone before Watson is up.
Perhaps the late nights and late mornings for both came once they had settled down more together and cases were frequent?
Watson's interest in Holmes, professed at the end of Chapter 1, grows in depth as the weeks go by and he quite closely examines Holmes. In part this can be put down to having nothing much else to do while he recuperates (and not overspend) with no other distractions:
...be it remembered how object less was my life, and how little there was to engage my attention. My health forbade from venturing out unless the weather was exceptionally genial and I had no friends who would call upon me and break the monotony of my existence."
My favourite description is:
His hands were invariably blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch as I frequently has occasion to observe when I watched him manipulating his fragile philosophical instruments.
Alas, poor Watson in his observations considers that Holmes takes no narcotics due to Holmes' temperance & cleanliness of his life.
Watson cannot decide on what Holmes is studying and no wonder considering the vastness of his knowledge in very specific areas in contrast to his ignorance in other subjects.
Later on Watson references the procession of odd characters into their abode which probably doesn't offer much in concluding Holmes' studies/profession!
(By the way, like Holmes I had no idea who Thomas Carlyle was until Watson mentioned him. He was a British historian, satirical writer, essayist, translator, philosopher, mathematician, and teacher. Though not covered in my history classes!)
We then have the famous exchange on Holmes ignorance of the Copernican Theory which is hilarious (I remember when I first read this being equally astonished as Watson in Holmes not knowing this fact).
Brain-attic
Holmes explaining how humans can only store so much in their minds, hence his dismissal of investing in stores of knowledge outside the necessary for his work, is compelling and makes sense particularly for the methods Holmes is attempting to develop and hone. Perhaps especially in a world before research was made slightly easier with archives searchable via computer.
Watson's Infamous List
No comment beyond that Watson was at least incorrect in literature, because Holmes does love his poetry!
I wonder what Holmes thought of Watson's list when Scarlet was published?
Holmes is kind
Watson notes how Holmes willingly plays Watson's favourites when asked.
Holmes is also keenly aware of how his habit of playing the violin can affect his companion negatively. The detective conjures up tunes on his violin which reflect his thoughts, sometimes "fantastic and cheerful", sometimes the "...chords were sonorous and melancholy" or "scrape carelessly at the fiddle".
Yet, Holmes cares that these occasions may be trying for Watson's nerves usually finishes by "playing in quick succession a whole series of my favourite airs as a slight compensation for the trial upon my patience."
Hardly the behaviour of a man who cares not for others or is emotionless!
Date & Deuctions
Watson states it is the 4th of March when matters come to a head and he learns more of Holmes' deductive skills.
Here Watson rises earlier than usual (improving health? Nightmares?) and Holmes is still eating breakfast.
He comes across an article in the newspaper the "The Book of Life" where the author declares essentially that the minutest clue will together with others afford a clear declaration of that individual's occupation.
Watson cries: "What ineffable twaddle!"
Then is appropriately shocked when his companion remarks (calmly which is remarkable in of itself in the face of Watson's affronted attitude) that he is the author.
Watson of course is curious and finally learns what Holmes is doing:
...I suppose I am the only one in the world. I'm a consulting detective...Here in London we have lots of government detectives and lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault, they come to me, and I manage to put them on the right scent."
This is an extraordinary confession in that such a role is new to Watson, and along with Holmes' methods, quite alien to how things are usually done in observing clues or deducing from the available facts.
Watson receives an explanation when Holmes reveals how he knew Watson came from Afghanistan.
Watson is amazed and compares Holmes to Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin, astounded such a character exists outside fiction.
There follows a discussion between Watson and Holmes on fictional characters who might be similar to Holmes or if Holmes deems them tenable as detectives.
Hint, Holmes does not. Watson is understandably upset at this cavalier treatment of Dupin & Lecoq.
***Proof that Watson is fond of criminal stories, and maybe of the yellow-backed novel variety? Such as Watson was reading in BOSC?***
So...because I have chattered on again for a while I shall end Chapter 2 with Watson receiving another example of Holmes' deductive methods:
"Here was an opportunity of taking the conceit out of him [Holmes]. He little thought of this when he made that random shot.
'May I ask, my lad,' I said, in the blandest voice, 'what your trade may be?'
'Commissionaire, sir,' he said, gruffly. 'Uniform away for repairs.'
'And you were?' I asked, with a slightly malicious glance at my companion.
'A sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry, sir. No answer? Right, sir.'
He clicked his heels together, raised his hand in salute, and was gone."
Chapter 1 - Mr Sherlock Holmes
Welcome to a canon read of A Study in Scarlet!
mightymads and I will be taking it in turns to make notes on the chapters and post in alternating manner each week. Please feel free to comment and post your insights and general chit-chat - we would love to hear from you!
Warning! A long set of notes for Chapter 1, merely due to setting the scene! I promise I will be briefer in my observations from Chapter 2 onwards.
So, Chapter 1, herein begins the tales of Dr John Watson and Mr Sherlock Holmes.
Date
I appreciate dating in Holmesian canon is rather difficult and bemusing with Sir Doyle’s own contradictions, but at least here with the first story we can tentatively put some dates.
Watson was granted his degree off Doctor of Medicine in 1878, University of London), and then proceeded to Netley for instructions for surgeons in the Army.
He says clearly that he completed his studies and was attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. However, he was unable to join them before the second Afghan war broke out.
Second Afghan War. According to wikipedia this broke out in 1878 and lasted to 1870, being split into two campaigns, the first beginning in November 1878.
Therefore, it must be late 1878 when Watson is sent to India, from whence he removes from Bombay to Candahar and joins his regiment.
Battle of Maiwand 27th July 1880.
This battle proves disastrous for Watson, but it is noticeable that roughly a year and a half has elapsed since he has joined the Army...if we can take the dates and account seriously (and currently, Watson is not known as an unreliable narrator).
I wonder what Watson was up to in that year and a half? Fic anyone? :D
There is some indication that he perhaps was removed from his brigade (the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers) not long prior to this battle and attached to the Berkshires, but this can be debated.
War Wound
‘There I was struck on the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery.’
A serious wound and it is a testament to Murray, his assistant, for saving his life and the doctors and nurses who tended him back to health. The location of Watson’s wound is quite definite here, but of course moves location in later canon. I do prefer using the excuse that Watson was perhaps selective in where he was wounded, deciding that his list of woes were sufficient to be going on with in his first record of Mr Holmes’ methods.
Yet Watson recovers only to be struck down with “enteric fever”, which from searching appears to be Typhoid fever.
Poor Watson spends months with his life despaired of before becoming well enough to be sent home.
England & Mr Sherlock Holmes
Dating becomes a little hazy now, for months have passed, so it is probably some point in 1881.
Watson note he has no “kith or kin in England”, but leaves Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland out of that assessment. So plot away!
Watson enjoys the finer pleasures in life for he chooses an expensive hotel to abide in the Criterion, and I can do no better than direct you to
mightymads informative summary of the Criterion’s position within history and society.Known for excellent food we can establish that Watson must enjoy fine foods and luxurious surroundings, which Watson supports “So alarming did the state of my finances become, that I soon realised that I must either leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere in the country, or that I must make a complete alteration in my style of living...and take up quarters in some less pretentious and less expensive domicile.”
That the Criterion became popular meeting place for queer men (apparently later on after 1881) this is also intriguing history wise.
So!
Watson meets Stamford and is eager to see him and they dine in the Holburn (another expensive hotel).
On the way Stamford mentions Mr Holmes also needing to go halves with someone on a living room and manages, despite granting Watson some wariness on the matter considering Stamford’s odd comments, to have Watson wish to see Mr Holmes.
Watson hilariously remarks during their conversation that:
“...I am not strong enough yet to stand much noise or excitement I had enough of both in Afghanistan to last me for the remainder of my natural existence.”
Considering how quickly Watson become embroiled in the upcoming case his sentiment is proven incorrect rather swiftly!
In fact...even before”Oh! A mystery is it?” I cried, rubbing my hands…
“You must study him, then,” Stamford said, as he bade me goodbye. “You’ll find him a knotty problem, though. I’ll wager he learns more about you than you about him. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” I answered, and strolled to my hotel, considerably interested in my new acquaintance.
It is quite wonderful how fascinated by his new companion Watson is and truly, as it turns out, they couldn’t be a better fit for each other!
Mr Holmes
Their first meeting is lovely and full of amusement and bemusement. Stamford is greeted initially, then when Watson enquires into the meaning of his experiment Holmes’ enthusiasm and excitement stand out to Watson, who is full of astonishment.
The coldly logical machine is not evident here. Indeed, we are met with a a man who chuckles to himself, seizes Watson by the coat-sleeve, eyes that glitter in joy at the result of his haemoglobin test.
Further, I would say that Mr Ronald Howard’s Holmes displays this enthusiasm beautifully, as well as his fondness for poisons (poor Marion-Crawford Watson!):
...Sherlock Holmes, sticking a small piece of plaster over the prick on his finger. “I have to be careful,” he continued turning to me with a smile, “for I dabble with poisons a good deal.”
He held out his hand as he spoke and I noticed that it was mottled over with similar pieces of plaster, and discoloured with strong acids.
Also, smiling!
Holmes’ anxiousness over whether they are fit for each other - and therefore must declare their less savoury habits upfront - is practical and sweet, particularly, his worry that Watson’s rows may be directed towards violins:
Do you include violin playing in your category of rows?” he asked anxiously.
“It depends on the player,” I answered. “A well-played violin is a treat for the gods-a badly played one-”
“Oh, that’s all right,” he cried with a merry laugh.”
A jovial anxious Mr Sherlock Holmes is very much canon, and more so than those moments where he is coldly logical. Holmes can be impolite, and imperfect (he is a complex human after all), but he is certainly not devoid of emotion.
Chapter 2 - The Science of Deduction
Holmes & Watson are now living together and it is nice to note that Watson declares Holmes "not a difficult man to live with".
As in previous canon tales we have confirmation of regular habits for Holmes, though a slight contradiction in that Holmes usually retires early (before 10pm) and is up, breakfasted and gone before Watson is up.
Perhaps the late nights and late mornings for both came once they had settled down more together and cases were frequent?
Watson's interest in Holmes, professed at the end of Chapter 1, grows in depth as the weeks go by and he quite closely examines Holmes. In part this can be put down to having nothing much else to do while he recuperates (and not overspend) with no other distractions:
...be it remembered how object less was my life, and how little there was to engage my attention. My health forbade from venturing out unless the weather was exceptionally genial and I had no friends who would call upon me and break the monotony of my existence."
My favourite description is:
His hands were invariably blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch as I frequently has occasion to observe when I watched him manipulating his fragile philosophical instruments.
Alas, poor Watson in his observations considers that Holmes takes no narcotics due to Holmes' temperance & cleanliness of his life.
Watson cannot decide on what Holmes is studying and no wonder considering the vastness of his knowledge in very specific areas in contrast to his ignorance in other subjects.
Later on Watson references the procession of odd characters into their abode which probably doesn't offer much in concluding Holmes' studies/profession!
(By the way, like Holmes I had no idea who Thomas Carlyle was until Watson mentioned him. He was a British historian, satirical writer, essayist, translator, philosopher, mathematician, and teacher. Though not covered in my history classes!)
We then have the famous exchange on Holmes ignorance of the Copernican Theory which is hilarious (I remember when I first read this being equally astonished as Watson in Holmes not knowing this fact).
Brain-attic
Holmes explaining how humans can only store so much in their minds, hence his dismissal of investing in stores of knowledge outside the necessary for his work, is compelling and makes sense particularly for the methods Holmes is attempting to develop and hone. Perhaps especially in a world before research was made slightly easier with archives searchable via computer.
Watson's Infamous List
No comment beyond that Watson was at least incorrect in literature, because Holmes does love his poetry!
I wonder what Holmes thought of Watson's list when Scarlet was published?
Holmes is kind
Watson notes how Holmes willingly plays Watson's favourites when asked.
Holmes is also keenly aware of how his habit of playing the violin can affect his companion negatively. The detective conjures up tunes on his violin which reflect his thoughts, sometimes "fantastic and cheerful", sometimes the "...chords were sonorous and melancholy" or "scrape carelessly at the fiddle".
Yet, Holmes cares that these occasions may be trying for Watson's nerves usually finishes by "playing in quick succession a whole series of my favourite airs as a slight compensation for the trial upon my patience."
Hardly the behaviour of a man who cares not for others or is emotionless!
Date & Deuctions
Watson states it is the 4th of March when matters come to a head and he learns more of Holmes' deductive skills.
Here Watson rises earlier than usual (improving health? Nightmares?) and Holmes is still eating breakfast.
He comes across an article in the newspaper the "The Book of Life" where the author declares essentially that the minutest clue will together with others afford a clear declaration of that individual's occupation.
Watson cries: "What ineffable twaddle!"
Then is appropriately shocked when his companion remarks (calmly which is remarkable in of itself in the face of Watson's affronted attitude) that he is the author.
Watson of course is curious and finally learns what Holmes is doing:
...I suppose I am the only one in the world. I'm a consulting detective...Here in London we have lots of government detectives and lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault, they come to me, and I manage to put them on the right scent."
This is an extraordinary confession in that such a role is new to Watson, and along with Holmes' methods, quite alien to how things are usually done in observing clues or deducing from the available facts.
Watson receives an explanation when Holmes reveals how he knew Watson came from Afghanistan.
Watson is amazed and compares Holmes to Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin, astounded such a character exists outside fiction.
There follows a discussion between Watson and Holmes on fictional characters who might be similar to Holmes or if Holmes deems them tenable as detectives.
Hint, Holmes does not. Watson is understandably upset at this cavalier treatment of Dupin & Lecoq.
***Proof that Watson is fond of criminal stories, and maybe of the yellow-backed novel variety? Such as Watson was reading in BOSC?***
So...because I have chattered on again for a while I shall end Chapter 2 with Watson receiving another example of Holmes' deductive methods:
"Here was an opportunity of taking the conceit out of him [Holmes]. He little thought of this when he made that random shot.
'May I ask, my lad,' I said, in the blandest voice, 'what your trade may be?'
'Commissionaire, sir,' he said, gruffly. 'Uniform away for repairs.'
'And you were?' I asked, with a slightly malicious glance at my companion.
'A sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry, sir. No answer? Right, sir.'
He clicked his heels together, raised his hand in salute, and was gone."
no subject
Date: 2020-08-31 04:55 pm (UTC)I'll add a more extensive comment tomorrow 😉
no subject
Date: 2020-08-31 06:25 pm (UTC)I wouldn't be surprised if Holmes was pulling Watson's leg since he does have a sense of humour and can be quite dramatic 😜
no subject
Date: 2020-08-31 09:53 pm (UTC)Luck or Something Like It by A_Candle_For_Sherlock. (rated T, 2.5K, Holmes/Watson). Watson feels the need to test his luck; Holmes hopes to help him trust it.
As for fics about Watson's time in Afghanistan, I can recommend these:
In the Shadow of Mount Sikaram (2776 words) by orchid314
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: John Watson, Bill Murray (Sherlock)
Additional Tags: Second Anglo-Afghan War, John Watson in Afghanistan, Watson's Woes July Writing Prompts 2018, Prompt Fic, Period Typical Attitudes, Illnesses, Childbirth
Series: Part 11 of Watson's Woes July Writing Prompts 2018
Summary:
There was a great heart that beat at the centre of things.
On Afghanistan's Plains by Pompey. (rated T, 23K, gen). A look at what happened to Watson, from the Battle of Maiwand to his return to England. As this is a prequel to STUDY IN SCARLET, Holmes makes no appearance whatsoever.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-01 02:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-09-02 05:45 pm (UTC)Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-03 02:50 pm (UTC)While I was writing my very first fic, I did some research on the Battle of Maiwand.
From ‘Arthur Conan Doyle and the Meaning of Masculinity’ by Diana Barsham:
"[...] the staff of the field hospital to which Watson was attached reputedly fled, leaving the wounded behind."
***From a Daily Mail article:
"There was not enough transport for all the wounded, so many were left to their fate. They knew what it would be. The Afghans were infamous for mutilating the wounded, hence Rudyard Kipling’s advice to British soldiers wounded in Afghanistan to ‘roll to your rifle and blow out your brains and go to your Gawd like a soldier’".
Here's a post in this comm: The Battle of Maiwand through the eyes of a witness
Here are posts about Netley and Watson's military service:
Watson, a Doctor and a Soldier This one is about the lack of authority medical officers had at the time Watson served and appalling sanitary conditions resulting from this which in turn led to diseases such as typhoid.
Watson’s military service and wounds This one is about Netley and the fact that typhoid lasts for a few weeks, so Watson probably exaggerated by stating that his life was 'despaired of for months'
Ranks and uniforms This one is about the curious fact that the rank 'Assistant Surgeon' didn't already exist by the time Watson served and he would actually have a rank of 'Surgeon'. But perhaps since he was fresh from the university and had little experience he did start his duties assisting an experienced surgeon?
Watson’s regiments This one is about the possible reasons of Watson's transfer from Fusiliers to Berkshires. Despite stating in STUD that he spent a very short time in India, in several canon stories he refers to his service in India, so maybe he did serve for a certain period there but chose to gloss over it in the intro to STUD?
A fun fact: ACD’s short story called J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement (1884) has a protagonist who is a doctor injured in the war and saved by a certain Mr. Murray:
“Finally, I was severely wounded at Antietam, and would probably have perished on the field had it not been for the kindness of a gentleman named Murray, who had me carried to his house and provided me with every comfort.”
Watson also mentions that upon his return to England he had "permission from a paternal government to spend the next nine months in attempting to improve" his health. Did it mean that he had a leave not to work for nine months? Because it seems that his wound pension was for life as he still was receiving it in SHOS
"I had neither kith nor kin in England" - Watson did have a brother, though. Unless the brother was out of the country? Due to the brother's drinking maybe Watson was reluctant to mention him.
This post elaborates a bit on what fancy a place the Holborn Restaurant is.
Watson's bravery shows when he is not deterred by Stamford's warning and does go to see Holmes, not afraid of his potential weirdness.
Here's a post about the Sherlock Holmes blood test. I also read somewhere on tumblr that Holmes exaggerated the degree a drop of blood was diluted in a litre of water but as always, it's useless trying to find something in the reached of that blue website 😆
Boy, I do agree with your notes on Holmes's enthusiasm and light-heartedness! He is so adorable, a far cry from "a cold reasoning machine". Also note that Holmes pricked his own finger, no matter what Stamford might say about him. It's interesting what shaped Stamford's opinion of Holmes as "cold-blooded".
And I wonder what happened to the bull pup Watson kept.
Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 03:03 pm (UTC)Yes, if Doyle was 26 when he got his degree then it makes sense for Watson to be the same age or close. It is nice having a logical date for Watson's birthday!
The historical notes are fabulous and thank you for sharing. I do agree that Watson must have either spent longer in India than he indicated, or that his short time in India was very crowded with incidents.
I tend to agree wit you that while the term 'Assistant Surgeon' was outdated by Watson's service, it could have been an unofficial one granted to inexperienced doctors at the time - or simply between colleagues?
Hmmm, the short story seem to offer a prototype for Watsonand good old Murray :D
Lol, I love your comment on the lack of ease on finding anything on tumblr again. :P
Boy, I do agree with your notes on Holmes's enthusiasm and light-heartedness! He is so adorable, a far cry from "a cold reasoning machine". Also note that Holmes pricked his own finger, no matter what Stamford might say about him. It's interesting what shaped Stamford's opinion of Holmes as "cold-blooded".
Yes! The very first tale published smashes the preconception of a cold-blooded logical thinker without any sentiment, heck even Stamford is proven incorrect. I do wonder what Stamford deems Holmes cold-blooded, because Holmes' greeting of him is anything but, unless it is shaped by the oddness of Holmes' experiments? Those could be startling for someone unaware of the reason behind them.
And I wonder what happened to the bull pup Watson kept.
Same! I'm not a dog person so I constantly forget Watson had a dog, but it does vanish unless there is a snippet hidden away in one of the canon novels explaining Watson's lack of a bull pup, (beyond Doyle forgot ha)?
Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 04:11 pm (UTC)Seems like ACD recycled a part of his earlier story and weaved into Watson’s backstory. Even Murray remained Murray XD
The Ritchie ‘verse movies do have Gladstone-the-dog. And an explanation about the puppy would make a nice early day story ;)
Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 06:02 pm (UTC)Good old Doyle! Glad he did recycle in this instant since Watson certainly needed Murray! Of course, with Holmes present the new twist on the story added extra magic ~ Holmes and Watson, canon wouldn’t be the same without them. :)
Yes! The Ritchie films do. I wonder whether canon!Watson left his dog with someone due to needing too ill to care for his pup properly or due to his new life? As you say, it would make for a nice early story 😀
Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 06:35 pm (UTC)Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 03:18 pm (UTC)Watson and Doyle are good at leaving us thinking ha!
Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 04:12 pm (UTC)Re: Notes to chapter 1
Date: 2020-09-04 05:54 pm (UTC)Comments to chapter 2
Date: 2020-09-03 05:00 pm (UTC)He clearly describes Holmes as an attractive man, even though Holmes's beauty is unconventional. Re: Holmes's drug use, as a doctor Watson couldn't have missed the tell-tale signs, but perhaps he chose to gloss over it in the first novel as he does with many things. In the second he speaks clearly of it and of his own leg wound which he doesn't mention in STUD.
From RL POV, perhaps ACD couldn't yet decide whether to make Holmes a drug user, so he chose to be ambiguous. And of course he forgot that Watson was wounded in the shoulder by the time he wrote SIGN.
Re: brain attic, this is so amusing! Holmes's approach to it is so different here from what Holmes himself supposedly describes many years later in LION. Here he explicitly states that he has a system of storing information and doesn't clutter his head with random things. In LION, however, he says that he reads everything indiscriminately and his mind is full of unsystematic knowledge—exactly what he condemns in STUD. This is the main reason for my headcanon that LION was actually written by Watson and that Watson is an omnivorous reader, not Holmes. Considering Watson's love of sensational lit, very plausible.
I bet Watson's list became their private joke. Watson is such a drama queen, writing this list and then throwing it into the fire 😆
Holmes cares of Watson, so much! On his best behaviour, keeping regular hours and accomodating Watson in every way. Of course Holmes was aware of Watson's curiosity and cleverly orchestrated the conversation they had about his deductive methods. He circled the article in the magazine himself, knowing that Watson's attention would be inevitably drawn by it.
About Lestrade: it was an interesting discovery to find a 'ferret-like' policeman in a collection of stories about a lady detective which was published in 1864! It's called Revelations of a Lady Detective
Re: Watson's getting up earlier than usual, good catch! I'd wager for nightmares as he was in a disgruntled mood.
Re: Comments to chapter 2
Date: 2020-09-04 03:15 pm (UTC)Watson's description of Holmes does depict an attractive man if by unusual standards, which I find intriguing, because it counters some of the preconceptions people have towards canon or at least due to some adaptations. Hmm, I think you're right. As a doctor, Watson wouldn't have missed the signs of drug use unless Holmes was using so little that it had yet to show in his behaviour or appearance?
I am of the camp like you, that Watson does gloss over a lot, and his injuries are one of them. Honestly, it would hardly be surprising if Watson suffered more than a shoulder wound, or even if he obtained the leg injury another time in a prior battle depending on length of service in India.
Re: brain attic, this is so amusing! Holmes's approach to it is so different here from what Holmes himself supposedly describes many years later in LION. Here he explicitly states that he has a system of storing information and doesn't clutter his head with random things. In LION, however, he says that he reads everything indiscriminately and his mind is full of unsystematic knowledge—exactly what he condemns in STUD. This is the main reason for my headcanon that LION was actually written by Watson and that Watson is an omnivorous reader, not Holmes. Considering Watson's love of sensational lit, very plausible.
Oh that is really interesting! I do like your theory. The contradiction in LION is acute and when one reflects on the rest of canon, Holmes' opinion on his "brain attic" is surely more in relation to STUD? Even with a love of poetry I cannot fathom a Holmes who cluttered his mind unnecessarily, even in retirement.
I bet Watson's list became their private joke. Watson is such a drama queen, writing this list and then throwing it into the fire 😆
Seriously, they are indeed well-suited to each other considering how they are both drama queens in different areas. :D
Holmes cares of Watson, so much! On his best behaviour, keeping regular hours and accomodating Watson in every way. Of course Holmes was aware of Watson's curiosity and cleverly orchestrated the conversation they had about his deductive methods. He circled the article in the magazine himself, knowing that Watson's attention would be inevitably drawn by it.
<3. Yes! Holmes I truly believe is very considerate of others, as evidenced in Chapter 2. Stamford wouldn't recognise the man.
I'd wager nightmares as well, because it seems likely Watson was suffering the effects of the war.
Re: Comments to chapter 2
Date: 2020-09-04 04:14 pm (UTC)