Re-read: The Solitary Cyclist

[mightymads]

There's a stereotype about Holmes being a misogynist which perhaps stems from that line from the canon about his aversion to women. While he wasn't interested in women romantically and preferred the company of men when he had company at all, there is a string of cases throughout the canon where Holmes helps women who have no one else to turn to. He becomes the champion of their rights and does everything to protect them. This is one of these stories.

Despite being very busy, Holmes agrees to hear out Miss Smith. Not for an instant is he rude to her, a penniless governess who interrupts the investigation of the case involving a tobacco millionaire. April 23, 1895 was a Tuesday, by the way, not Saturday. It was a Saturday in 1898, so perhaps it's again Watson's way of obfuscating real circumstances? (Apart from Doyle's negligence, of course :))

It's worth mentioning that Miss Smith must have been really desperate for help if she broke social norms by visiting a bachelor establishment unchaperoned. I wonder why she didn't ask her fiance for help. Was it the sign of her emancipation, that she was that self-reliant? Or was it the fiance's unwillingness to help, like in the case of The Copper Beeches?

Another point on bicycles: the first modern bicycle was presented somewhere around 1885, and by 1890s there was a real bicycle craze. It was liberating for women as now they were mobile and didn't have to depend on horse-drawn transport. Had it not been for the bicycle, Miss Smith wouldn't have been able to take the job in the country and visit her mother on weekends. It's fascinating to think that for Holmes's generation bicycle was an innovation and that Victorians of his age learned how to ride a bicycle as grown people.

Holmes mentions a case of Archie Stamford, the forger. Is that the same Stamford who introduced him to Watson? Did Stamford somehow become a criminal later on? Or is it just a namesake? Or a relative? 

Holmes is so busy during this period of time that he delegates some investigation to Watson. Watson follows Holmes's instructions to the letter and gives some important information (digging out that the house is rented in Williamson's name, for example). The long-sufferring doctor rightfully expects to be praised but gets scolded instead. When Holmes achieves no real results with his own country outing, he doesn't apologise, the rascal. Although he admits that he was no better, perhaps by way of an apology.

The epic boxing match with Woodley!

And then the great action sequence in the woods! I like how slowly this story begins and then culminates in chasing, shooting, and so much drama. And while Watson's sedentary life shows, Holmes is in top shape, even though he doesn't exercise either. Nevertheless, when it comes to blocking the road and stopping the horse, Watson is doing the job, not Holmes. Interesting, isn't it? As always, Watson showcasing Holmes's abilities and downplaying his own?

Ah, and that line where Watson's admiration is just overflowing: "The strong, masterful personality of Holmes dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally puppets in his hands."

There's Watson's own line which is just as great: "...you call that love, Mr. Carruthers, but I should call it selfishness". For Watson such expression of love is unthinkable and outrageous which is quite telling in respect of Watson's qualities and what it is to love for him. 

Comments

[laurajv]

I go back and forth about Holmes & misogyny, really. Watson says he "dislikes and distrusts" women, but also that he is invariably courteous and gentle with women. Watson is also clearly exasperated by Holmes's attitude towards women and chooses not to argue with him over it (and Watson's own views on women are, er, shall we say, rather of his time).

for example

“I would not tell them too much,” said Holmes. “Women are never to be entirely trusted, – not the best of them.”
I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment.”

[mightymads]

Neither of them can be called feminists, that's true! :) They both are products of their time, but what I wished to say was that Holmes isn't a square misogynist. The picture is more complicated than that. And while there were more progressive men in the late 19th century, perhaps Holmes's and Watson's attitude reflect ACD's own. ACD was against women's vote and hated suffragettes but he was brought up with a notion of chivalry, a so called code of honour by which he lived.

[luthienberen]

Watson’s opening segment to this case is intriguing I find, because he refers to a specific date period (1894-1901) and furthermore to how busy Holmes was during these years. Evidently, following his remarkable return, people were ,ore eager than ever to seek Holmes’ talents. I wonder how many secretive cases there were among them? : ) Including ones such as the Giant Rat of Sumatra too terrible to reveal to the world? How many like that rodent one? 😉

Also, Watson is honest in stating that not all of these were successes, which echoes Holmes (I believe in HOUND?) where he orders Watson to record his failure(s) alongside his successful outcomes. Holmes enjoyed being praised for his talents, but I admire that he never flinched from revealing when he hadn’t been able to figure out the mystery (either through identifying the parties or catching the thief etc.).

There's a stereotype about Holmes being a misogynist which perhaps stems from that line from the canon about his aversion to women. While he wasn't interested in women romantically and preferred the company of men when he had company at all, there is a string of cases throughout the canon where Holmes helps women who have no one else to turn to. He becomes the champion of their rights and does everything to protect them. This is one of these stories.

Exactly. Holmes was not fond of women and he may not have always held them in high regard (though after SCANDAL he certainly had a rethink!), but he was a gentleman and with Miss Violet Smith he puts aside his frustration and gives her his full attention. I think Holmes’ (and Watson’s) views are a product of their time, but even though he appears not to trust them (as per laurajv’s quote above), he does trust specific women.

In the Copper Beeches, he trusts another Violet to be courageous enough to carry out a desperate plan of his, so Holmes can be contradictory in his sentiments towards women.

I do like to think that the date thing is Watson’s obfuscation due to protecting Miss Smith’s real identity, because as you rightly point out, her visiting a bachelor establishment as a single lady without a companion could easily ruin her reputation. It might even damage both Holmes and Watson’s reputations if gossip gets out of hand or a few spiteful jealous people use it as ammunition, or of course, vengeful criminals.

If Miss Smith had been older, and deemed by society as an “old maid”, her visiting a bachelor establishment alone may have not raised many (or any) eyebrows. (I learnt this interesting fact from this video: Social Networking for Victorians {youtube link}).

Desperation definitely, and a finance’s unwillingness likely added to that (presuming she told her finance?) therefore must have been her reason(s) to visit them alone despite her social risk.

Thanks for the interesting fact about bicycles! I admire anyone who can learn to ride one either as an adult or child since I failed miserably. (I gave up after too many falls, each getting more serious – I need one with supporting wheels at the back!). Yet, they were so liberating for women then! And men of course, because it afforded the opportunity to travel further and seek better and more paid jobs…maybe the beginnings of more competition in the labour market? I’m curious now.

Eek, I hope it’s not the same Samford, though it would certainly offer a tragic twist!

I feel so sorry for poor Watson when Holmes chides him! Yet Holmes doesn’t offer an apology, typical! Though Holmes at least says to Watson that he has been “very obtuse” when he missed a fact in Watson’s detailed report 😊

That boxing match is incredible.

I do concur that it is Watson downplaying his abilities to highlight Holmes’ actions, considering how much Watson does in this tale.

Holmes’ compassion is beautiful, he seeks to hearten Miss Violet’s spirits by asking Watson to mention when he tends the lady, that he will be telegraphing a “young electrician” in hopes of “completing the cure”. Watson’s anger and his verdict on what love isn’t is as you say, a mark of Watson’s character and how he views love.

I am glad though Miss Violet had a happy ending and became Mrs Morton. ❤️

[mightymads]

Yes, there are many possibilities regarding the untold canon stories. So much room for fanfic!

And you're right about Violet Hunter--Holmes actually told her that he relied on her because he considered her to be a very bright and capable lady.

I can't ride a bicyle either because my parents refused to buy one for me when I was a child for fear of an accident. One of my wishes as an adult is to finally master this skill.

Perhaps it's not the same Stamford after all or Watson would have commented on his transformation into a criminal?

[luthienberen]

Good luck with achieving your goal of learning to ride a bicycle😊

I do wonder! Perhaps this is one instance where Watson drew a veil over the real events to spare an old friend? Fanfic probabilities again!

[earthspirits]

Very nice post on this story. One of my favorites and I especially love the Granada take on it.

[mightymads]

Oh yes, the Granada episode is brilliant. It's one of the first that were shot, so the walls in their Baker Street flat still lack the portrait of General Gordon and such. My favourite moment is Holmes staring daggers at Carruthers while Watson delivers that epic line about selfishness.

[earthspirits]

*nods* I love that scene too!