4.
Write a short character sketch of major sholto from
the novel lextract "Sign of Four
Answers
Sherlock Holmes
Character Analysis
Sherlock Holmes, the story’s protagonist, is the infamous detective and occupant of 221b Baker Street. He has a supreme, almost superhuman intelligence that allows him to solve difficult cases. This intelligence is based on his deeply held belief in the power of rationalism—essentially, any problem is solvable if looked at clearly and logically enough. Holmes’ mindset is distinctively Victorian, showing an affiliation with the ideas of Charles Darwin and encompassing certain elements of outdated pseudoscience that results in a discomforting belief in the superiority of white people over other races. Because of Holmes’ intellectual and deductive abilities, Miss Morstanasks him to help her solve the case of her missing father, Captain Morstan, which subsequently draws in the mystery of the Agra treasure too. Likewise, Athelney Jones, the Scotland Yard detective, is fully aware of Holmes’ abilities and relies upon him for help in his own work (though doesn’t always give Holmes the credit he deserves). Holmes, for his part, takes on cases for the thrill of it—not because he wants fame or fortune. This thrill-seeking also contributes to the darker side of Holmes’ character: his drug-taking. Holmes’ mind needs stimulation and, when he doesn’t have a case to work, he turns to cocaine, which greatly concerns his assistant, Dr. Watson. Ultimately, the entire novella functions at the pace of Holmes’ thoughts. When Holmes is stuck on an aspect of the case, the action slows to a halt; when he has a breakthrough, the action picks up again.
Dr. John Watson
Character Analysis
Dr. Watson is the narrator of the story and Sherlock Holmes’ loyal assistant. He is a doctor by profession and has a background as a surgeon in the British Army. Over the course of the novella, Watson falls in love with Miss Morstan, finally asking her to marry him. Watson aids Holmes throughout the story, though the major breakthroughs in the case are always the result of Holmes’ brilliant mind. Watson functions as a kind of counterpart to Holmes; the detective frequently uses him as a sounding board for his ideas, and in his inability to see problems as clearly as Holmes, Watson is representative of the general reader. That is, Watson is a kind of everyman figure of decent—but not Holmes’ level—intelligence. Watson is more emotional than Holmes and is frequently concerned for the latter’s wellbeing, especially when it comes to Holmes’ drug use. But Watson is in awe of Holmes’ abilities, which is why he decides to preserve them for posterity by writing them down. In his powers of observation about the more emotional side of life, Watson actually possesses something that Holmes lacks—an ability to understand people and the way that they feel.
Miss Mary Mostan
Character Analzise
Miss Morstan comes to Sherlock Holmes to see if he can help her find out what happened to her father, Captain Morstan, who disappeared a few years previously. She has also been receiving a pearl once a year in the post and been told to go to London’s Lyceum Theater in the evening of the day she comes to see Holmes. She ,therefore, acts as the catalyst for the entire story, providing Holmes with a much-needed problem to solve. She is generally portrayed as quite passive, but is also virtuous, especially in her apparent lack of concern about her share of the Agra treasure (she is more interested in knowing what has happened to her father). Over the course of the novella, Miss Morstan falls in love with Dr. John Watson; at the end, she agrees to marry him. She lives with Mrs. Forrester, serving as her governess. She is described as beautiful and is around twenty-seven years old.
Athelney Jones
Character Analysis
Athelney Jones is the hapless detective from Scotland Yard, the official police agency. He is described as a fat and bumbling man and is in a position of high authority. He functions as a counter-example to Sherlock Holmes’ genius, frequently coming up with the wrong theories about the case and even arresting the wrong man (Thaddeus Sholto). Ultimately, Jones knows Holmes is superior to him in intellect and resorts to asking for help from the great detective. Jones is happy to take credit for Holmes’ work, though does also express his gratitude for the assistance.
Athelney Jones Quotes in The Sign of the Four
The The Sign of the Four quotes below are all either spoken by Athelney Jones or refer to Athelney Jones. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: Empire and Imperialism Theme Icon). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Spencer Blackett edition of The Sign of the Four published in 1890.
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