Re-read: The Solitary Cyclist
Jul. 12th, 2021 06:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mightymads posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
victorian221bThere'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.
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.
