26 Arthur Conan Doyle :The Sign of the four

Dr. Dushyant Nimavat

Learning outcomes:

The students will learn about the plot outline, characters, themes and other aspects of detective fiction by Conan Doyle. Conan Doyle was a physician by profession and his approach is scientific, rational and based on keen observation. He created an immortal character in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Sherlock Holmes famous admonition to Dr. Watson, “elementary, my dear Watson” applied to all living in hectic, strife-torn world and academic world as well. The students will grasp the basic essentials about Conan Doyle and his famous detective fiction „The Sign of Four’. Multiple-choice exercises will help them in assessing their knowledge and understanding of the work. Bibliography, list of websites and YouTube videos will help them in their in-depth study and further reading. Critical quotes and quotes from the book will also help them in understanding various literary aspects of the book.

Introduction

„The Sign of the four’ (1890) also known as „The Sign of Four’ is the second novel of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‟s Sherlock Holmes Series. In this interesting detective fiction, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve a mystery that eluded the police department. „The Sign of Four‟ begins with the description of Sherlock Holmes taking cocaine injections. Dr. Watson expresses his displeasure and disapproval for Holmes drug addiction. However, Holmes defends by saying that it removed his boredom and simulates his intelligence. For the first time, Holmes has been shown taking drug and defending it. The story of the novel is set in 1888 with a plot involving service in the East India Company, the 1857 Rebellion and Andaman jail. The plot moves round the stolen treasure and a secret pact among four convicts and two corrupt prison guards.

There are subtle references to racism, imperialism, bigotry and criminal motives involving avarice, deception and excessive greed.

„The Sign of Four‟ was published two year after Sherlock Holmes debut novel „A study in Scarlet‟. It is a convention mystery while „The Sign of Four‟ is more like a Gothic thriller that crosses a several genres such as detective fiction, thriller, and adventure story with historical references to India. One more interesting aspects of the work is that is introduces Dr. Watson‟s future wife Mary Morstan. The novel was serialized in Lippincott‟s monthly magazine as „The Sign of the Four‟ in 1890 and later in the same year it was published in the book form as „The Sign of the Four‟. The outrageous nature of the novel makes it an interacting reading. The novel had as many as 13 film, TV and theatrical adaptations.

Conan Doyle – A Biographical Sketch

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859. He was the second child of Charles Altamont and Mary Foley Doyle‟s ten children. He studied in a Jesuit school in Lancashire, England. Later, he got both his bachelor‟s and Master‟s degree in medicine from Edinburg. While he was a medical student, he was profoundly impressed by the skill of observation of his professor Dr. Joseph Bell. Dr. Bell observed the most minute details regarding his patients and came to diagnostic deductions. For Conan Doyle, the minute observations and conclusions based on them became the model for his literary creation, Sherlock Holmes, the detective par excellence. Holmes first appeared in a novel „A Study in Scarlet‟ in 1888. Conan Doyle earned unparalleled reputation as a writer of detective fiction gradually, mainly on account of his creation Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the duo who solved many mysterious cases.

Conan Doyle had served as a doctor on a voyage to Africa. After his return to England, he started medical practice in England without much success. During this period, he had sold his first story to supplement his income. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins, a wealthy woman. She provided him with the financial security that enabled him to devote more time to writing which who his first love. Doyle had two children by his first wife who died of tuberculosis in 1906. He married his longtime friend Jean Leckie the following year who gave him three more children. Doyle‟s fictional detective work made him so famous that he was an unofficial consultant to the English Police. English police detectives were required to read Sherlock Holmes stories in their police training.

Conan Doyle was a prolific writer who wrote many novels of various genres a number of plays, books of poetry, spiritual treatises, histories and political pamphlets. During the Boer war, he served as a surgeon near South African front. He was awarded knighthood in 1902 for his historical account the Boer war.

In his middle age, Doyle was intensely interested in spiritualism. He wrote and spoke in defense of the belied that it is possible to communicate with the dead through a gifted medium. He believed that the spirits of the dead continue to exist and they can be contacted through a living medium. His interest in religion, spiritualism and psychic research result into the publication of several books like „The New Revelation‟ (19180), „The Vital Message‟ (1919), „The Wonderings of a Spiritualist‟ (1921) etc. His two volume book „The History of Spiritualism‟ (1926) made him a renowned proponent of spiritualism. He had to face strong criticism and opposition from the renowned magician Houdini. Even spiritualists of his time joined in criticizing his article „The Evidence for Fairies‟ (1921). He died on July 7, 1930 at Crowborough,Sussex.

Conan Doyle’s Major Works:

Characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were introduced in „A Study in Scarlet‟. Conan Doyle modelled Sherlock Holmes on his favorite teacher Dr. Bell. Conan Doyle was a writer who wrote on a wide range of topics, both fictional as well as non-fictional. His total works are astoundingly voluminous which include 22 novels, 204 stories, 16 collection, 14 plays, 4 poems, 13 spiritual and paranormal books and 10 spiritual and paranormal pamphlets. He stated his career as a writer while he was a student and his first story appeared in 1879 in a magazine „Chamber‟s Journal‟. He continued to contribute his stories in various popular magazines of his time.

 Doyle’s major novel are as follows :

A Study in Scarlet 1887

The Sign of the Four 1890

The Great Shadow 1892

The Hound of Baskervilles 1902

Sir Nigel 1906

The Valley Of Fear 1915

The Land of Mist 1926

Short Story Collections by Conan Doyle :

Mysteries and Adventure 1890

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 1892

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes 1894

The Return of Sherlock Holmes 1905

His Last Bow 1917

The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 1927

Stage Works of Canon Doyle :

Foreign Policy 1893

The Story of Waterloo 1894

Brothers 1899

Sherlock Holmes 1899

The Speckled Band 1910

Exile: A Drama of Christmas Eve 1925

Non-Fictional Works :

The Great Boer war 1900

The Crime of the Congo 1909

The German War: Some Sidelights and Reflections 1914

Memories and Adventures 1924

Spiritualist and Paranormal books by Doyle :

Wondering of a Spiritualist 1921

The Coming of Fairies 1922

The Case of Spirit Photography 1922

Our American Adventure 1923

The Spiritualist Reader 1924

The History of Spiritualist 1826

Our American Winter 1929

The Edge of the Unknown 1930

Pamphlets :

Psychic Experience  1925

The New Revelation  1997

Sherlock Holmes Series:

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a London based detective with minute observation, unique manner of logical reasoning and deduction. He also possessed a capability of tricky disguise and knowledge of forensic science. The character first appeared in print in 1887 which was later featured in 56 stories and four novel of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The first novel „A Study in Scarlet‟ appeared in 1887 and the second novel „The Sign of Four‟ featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson appeared in 1890. The popularity of Sherlock Holmes grew with the first series of short stories in „The Strand Magazine‟ beginning with „A Scandal in Bohemia‟ in 1991.

Sherlock Holmes series includes four novels and five collections of stories that contain 56 stories. The four novels include „A Study of Scarlet‟, „The Sign of Four‟, „The Hound of Baskervilles‟ and „The Valley of Fear‟. The Sherlock Holmes stories are anthologized as „Adventure of Sherlock Holmes‟, „The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes‟, „The Return of Sherlock Holmes‟, „His last Bow‟ and „The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes‟. Traditionally, the canon of Sherlock Holmes consists of 56 stories and four novels. Here the „canon‟ is employed to distinguish between original works of Sir Canon Doyle and other authors who used the same characters.

Conan Doyle’s Contribution to Detective Fiction

Detective and crime related stories have always been quite popular. The genesis of detective fiction lies in Gothic stories. The credit as the pioneer of detective fiction goes to Edgar Allan Poe who in his work „The murders in The Rue Morgue‟ (1841) introduced C. Auguste Dupin as one who investigates the criminal case. However, the word „detective‟ did not exist then but Dupin‟s characteristics like cold, rational attitude and upper class background influenced later day detective fiction. If Edgar Allan Poe is called the inventor of the detective fiction, it was Conan Doyle who popularized the literary genre. Poe created only three stories featuring Dupin while Conan Doyle wrote 56 stories and four novels featuring Sherlock Holmes. Another important difference between Doyle‟s detective stories and Poe‟s stories is Doyle‟s introduction of Dr. Watson who faithfully followed and helped his friend and mentor in solving the mysteries cases. Dr. Watson‟s approach is simplistic while Holmes is quite complex and often intriguing. Dr. Watson is often unable to understand Holmes complicated method. He stands in complete contrast to Sherlock Holmes who is quite scientific and rational in his approach to problem solving. In 53 stories and four novels, it is Dr. Watson who narrates the stories giving readers their point of view. Conan Doyle introduced detective reasoning, disguises, sports like boxing and knowledge of forensic science and scientific temperament in the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He also left legacy of some memorable quotes like “To a great mind, nothing is little”, “when you have all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however impossible must be truth”, “My mind rebels at stagnation, give me work, give me problems” etc.

‘The Sign of Four’ – Plot Summery

„The Sign of Four‟ is the second novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story is set in London, 1888. The novel starts with Sherlock Holmes taking cocaine. He injects cocaine in his body thrice a day. Dr. Watson tells Sherlock Holmes about the ill-effect of the prolonged usage of the drug. However, Holmes tells him that he finds the drug stimulating. He adds that it clarifies his mind as he often gets bored without challenging work.

Just then a young lady named Mary Morstan comes to consult Sherlock Holmes. She tells Holmes about the mystery of her missing father. She explains that her father captain Morstan had disappeared about ten years ago on his return from Andaman Island to England. Since May 1882, she received a single piece of pearl by post every year from an unknown sender. She approaches Sherlock Holmes because she has recently received a letter from the unknown friend requesting her to be outside the Lyceum Theatre that evening.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson accompany Miss Morstan and they are taken to Thaddeus Sholto‟s house. Thaddeus tells them that Captain Morstan had died of a heart attack after a heated argument with his father Major John Sholto. He also explains how Major Sholto died of apparent shock when he saw the face of a bearded man in the window. The old man had revealed to his sons the existence of treasure before he died. The cause of the heated argument was about dividing the precious treasure. Captain Morstan who had been already weak and ailing died of heart attack. Major Sholto feared that he would be charged with the murder of captain Morstan disposed of the dead body and hid the treasure.

Major Sholto was about to reveal the location of the treasure when he too died of a shock seeing a bearded man at the window. Major Sholto had a great aversion to men with wooden legs. He had urged to his sons on deathbed that Miss Morstan should be given the half share of the treasure. The two sons of Major Sholto, Thaddeus and Bartholomew made every effort to find the treasure after their father‟s death. Major Sholto had removed a chaplet to send to Miss Morstan before his death. However, after his death, Thaddeus sent pearl to her every year.

Late that night, Miss Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go to Pondicherry lodge and find Bartholomew Sholto dead. It was found that he was poisoned by a deadly poisonous dart. Thaddeus tells them that Bartholomew had found the treasure chest with precious jewels in a secret room at the top of Pondicherry Lodge. When they finally reach Pondicherry Lodge, Bartholomew Sholto is dead and the treasure is gone. The door is locked from inside. Sherlock Holmes‟ deductions reveal that the two people were involves in the murder: one, two legged man Jonathan Small and his dwarfish accomplice. He traces them to a boat landing where Jonathan Small has hired a steam launch named The Aurora. Holmes traces the steam launch with the help of the dog Toby and Baker Street Irregulars. Holmes and Dr. Watson chase the steam launch and capture it. The dwarfish accomplice of Jonathan Small named Tonga is killed as he attempts to kill Sherlock Holmes with a poisoned dart from his blow-pipe. Small tries to escape but he is captured as his wooden leg gets stuck in the mud.

The wooden legged man whose name Jonathan Small is brought to Baker Street along with the iron chest which was found on the steam boat. Small tells Sherlock Holmes the story of Agra treasure. He says that he was a gate keeper of a fortress in India. Small explains that once three Arab guards approached him and offered a share in a precious treasure if he helped them and murder the man who carried it. Small agreed to help and once the man was murdered; they hid his dead body and the treasure. They swore an oath that they would never betray or reveal their crimes to anyone. They decided upon a sign of four- a secret code.

The plan failed and the four men were arrested for murder. They were sentenced to penal servitude for life. Jonathan Small was sent to Andaman Island. He met Morstan and Sholto whom he offered the deal that if they could secure freedom from jail for him and his three accomplices, the officers would also be getting equal share of the wealth. An agreement was made and Sholto was assigned the task of verifying the location of the hidden treasure. Sholto cheated them getting the whole treasure for himself. He returned to England with the treasure.

Jonathan Small saved Andaman Islander named Tonga who became totally devoted to him. Tonga helped Small escape and the duo returned to England. They tracked down Sholto who died of heart attack out of fear and shock. Small received the information that the treasure had been discovered and robbery of the treasure with Tonga. Tonga killed Bartholomew Sholto with a poisonous dart. Finally, the case is wound up and Small is taken into custody. Dr. Watson is engaged to Mary Morstan as Sherlock Holmes returns to his cocaine bottle. Jonathan Small had dumped the treasure in the river. Mary Morstan was happy to find that the chest had no treasure which was the cause of a series of crimes.

Major Characters of the Novel

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a principal character of the novel. He is a private detective with extraordinary sense of reasoning and eccentric manners. His friend Dr. Watson is a medical practitioner by profession. He helps Mr. Holmes in solving mysteries and criminal cases. It is Dr. Watson who presents his view point of Mr. Holmes in his own style. He describes him as intelligent, restless and often enigmatic. In „The Sign of Four‟, Holmes has been described injecting cocaine and defending it as stimulant and remover of boredom. He says that he needs to numb his mind when there is nothing challenging to occupy his mind. Holmes has a good knowledge of chemistry and forensic science. He is a keen observer and arrives at certain conclusions based on his observation.

Holmes takes great pleasure in solving mysteries in his own unique manner. In „The Sign of Four‟, Miss Morstan comes to him and tells him that her father has disappeared while returning to England from India. She adds that she receives one pearl of lustrous kind every year. Holmes, Dr. Watson and Miss Morstan meet Thaddeus Sholto who tells them about the death of captain a wooden legged man called Jonathan Small. Small tells that the entire story and unfolds the mystery of the treasure. At the end, Holmes calls Mary Morstan Mrs. Watson as Dr. Watson and Mary began to love each other and decide to marry. Holmes‟s character has influenced detective fiction of the world immensely.

Dr. Watson

The story is named in the first person by Dr. John Watson. He has shared the residence with Sherlock Holmes. He is a doctor by profession but he is drawn towards problem solving task by Mr. Holmes whom he begins to treat as his friend and mentor. He has seen Mr. Holmes solving many puzzling cases. Dr. Watson is very loyal to Mr. Holmes and he is always concerned about his well-being. He accompanies Mr. Holmes into many dangerous situations often carrying a pistol or other weapons. He also seems to take pleasure in adventures.

When he meets Mary Morstan, he is attracted towards her. As the novel progresses, their love story too develops. It is the subplot of the novel. When Dr. Watson comes to know that Mary is entitled to the Agra treasure, he feels that he would not be able to propose to her as he would be considered a fortune seeker. At the end of the novel, the treasure is lost and even Mary is happy that the treasure which was the cases of crimes and evils was no more. Mary and Dr. Watson are finally united in love.

Dr. Watson is loyal, romantic and honourable. He is more sensitive and empathetic than Holmes. Though he is quite intelligent, his power of observation is not as keen as that of Holmes.

Mary Morstan

Mary Morstan brings the case to Holmes and Dr. Watson. She has been searching for her missing father for many years. She has received several precious pearls by mail from an unknown sender. She has been described as blonde, with pale skin. She worked as a governess. Her mother had died soon after her birth. She receives a letter asking her to meet the letter writer at the Lyceum Theatre. She accompanies Holmes and Dr. Watson and meets Thaddeus Sholto who tells them about the death of Mary‟s father. At the end, the mystery of the Agra treasure is solved and Jonathan Small, the wooden legged man is arrested. He reveals the entire story of the treasure stolen from India by four persons (The Sign of Four). The treasure is lost at the end and Mary is relieved that the cause of all problems is no more. Dr. Watson is attracted by innocent nature, modesty and quiet temperament of Mary Morstan. Finally, Dr. Watson proposes to her and both of them are finally tied in a bond of mutual love.

Jonathan Small

Jonathan Small appears in the novel at the end of the novel. Holmes identifies him as the wooden legged man Major Sholto died from the shock when he saw him at the window. Mrs. Smith, the boat keeper‟s wife describes him as ugly and outlandish. Holmes pursues his steam lunch and he is stuck in a mud. He is captured by Holmes and Dr. Watson. He is cunning and manipulative. He is hot-tempered and frightening. He confesses his involvement with the sign of four. He is quite ruthless and unconcerned about other people. At the end, He throws the treasure into the river and he is arrested for his crimes. It is he who finally unfolds the mystery of the treasure that matches with Holmes‟ deduction.

Thaddeus Sholto

Thaddeus Sholto is a strange looking man who sent a letter to Mary Morstan to meet him at Lyceum Theatre. Mary accompanies Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson to the place. He tells Mary about his father Major Sholto who returned from India with a large treasure. He also tells Mary how her father captain Morstan died of heart attack after heated argument about dividing the treasure. Major Sholto fears that he would be implicated for the death of Mr. Morstan. He regrets that he had left Miss Morstan without her share of the treasure. He therefore asks his son Thaddeus to give her the chaplet. Thaddeus sends one pearl to Miss Morstan every year. Major Sholto died of shock when he saw the wooden- legged man at the window. He died before revealing the location of the treasure. Thaddeus is more conscientious than his brother Bartholomew who was killed by a poisonous dart and he is worried that he would be accused of murder of his brother. Thaddeus Sholto is eccentric, nervous, and self-obsessed.

Major Sholto:

Major Sholto was an army officer in India. He was a friend of Arthur Morstan who was also an army officer in India. He knew about the location of the treasure and therefore Jonathan Small appeared at the window. However, before he could tell his sons about the location of the treasure, he died of shock as he saw the wooden-legged man at the window. Major Sholto and Captain Morstan quarreled over the division of the treasure but Mr. Morstan died of heart attack. Major Sholto feared that he would be implicated for the killing of Mr. Morstan. Therefore he hid the dead body and kept the treasure for himself. All his life felt guilty for his avarice until he died.

Bartholomew Sholto:

Bartholomew Sholto is Thaddeus‟s twin brother and Major Sholto‟s son. He does not like to share wealth with Miss Morstan. He does not ever want to share information with Miss Morstan. He does not ever want to share information with Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. Bartholomew discovers the chest and is later killed by Tonga, the dwarfish islander with a poisonous dart.

Tonga:

Tonga is an islander who is completely devoted to Jonathan Small. Small nursed him back to health when Tonga was ill. This makes him loyal accomplice to Jonathan Small all his life. He helped Small escape and break into Sholto‟s house. It was he who killed Bartholomew with poisonous dart. He even tried to kill Holmes with a poisonous dart when they chased the steam launch in which Small and Tonga tried to escape. Tonga is killed as Holmes and Dr. Watson fired at him. Conan Doyle describes him as „savage‟ and „animalistic‟ character.

Mr. Athelney Jones:

Mr.Athelney Jones is a police inspector with the London police department. He is less capable than Mr. Holmes but Holmes allows the police department to take credit for solving the crime. He arrives at Pondicherry lodge and finds Bartholomew Sholto murdered. He jumps to the conclusion that Thaddeus Sholto was the murderer. He arrests Thaddeus but later releases him after Holmes proves that he was innocent Mr. Athelany Jones is pompous and comical but he is apologetic when he finds that Holmes was right in his reasoning. He begins to admire Holmes for his extraordinary capacities for problem solving.

Minor characters:

• Mc. Murdi, the gate keeper at Pondicherry Lodge.
• Mrs. Berstone, the house keeper of Pondicherry Lodge .
• Mr. Sherman, Today‟s owner (Toby, the dog).
• Lal Roa, Sholto‟s Butler.
• Mordecai Smith, owner of the steam launch „Aurora‟.
• Mr. Smith, the son of the owner of „Aurora‟.
• Jack Smith, the son of the owner of Aurora
• Wiggins and the Baker Street Irregulars ( young boys who provided important information to Mr. Holmes)
• Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson.
• Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan and Dost Akbar – Treasure Stealers.

Themes in ‘The Sign of Four’

Themes are the ideas that operate through a literary work. When we grasp the basis ideas of the author in his work, we can understand and appreciate the work better. In „The sign of Four‟. There are the following prominent themes.

1. Victorian Fear:

Conan Doyle presents the theme of Victorian fear in this novel. We can see the fear of „the other‟ and the non-natives. The character of Tonga has been presented as a savage and outlandish as he hailed from Andaman. He is depicted as inherently criminal-minded and cruel. Victorian fear entails the fear of foreigners, particularly non- whites and the Asians. There in an obvious suggestion towards racial prejudices prevalent among the people of the Victorian times. There is also fear of mixing with underclass uncivilized people. Thaddeus embodies this irrational fear. Dr. Watson expresses the fear of inequality when he thinks that if she inherits the treasure, she would become so rich that there would be „golden barrier‟ between them. When he discovers that the treasure has been thrown into the river, he ejaculates with joy that barrier has between them has been abolished.

2. Evil and justice:

The theme of evil is quiet prominent in the novel evil is present in the form of murders, theft and other crimes such as betrayal and avarice. Tonga has been depicted as savage and malicious. The treasure was stolen from India after killing a person. Major Sholto kept the entire treasure for himself refusing to share it with captain Morstan. Morstan too betrayed his friend but he died of heart attack and Major Sholto later died shock and fear. Thus they are meted out with natural justice. Tongo is killed an account of violent cruel nature and Small loses the treasure and is detained for several crimes he has committed. Holmes proves that Thaddeus was not the murderer of his brother Bartholomew Sholto. Holmen does not want to be punished for crime he has not committed.

3. Imperialism:

The novel has been set against the backdrop of the Victorian Empire and British colonial rule in India and Africa. The treasure is stolen from India at the time of the British rule in India Luxury and wealth is associated with imperialism. There are references to the uprising of 1857 and the racial prejudice to him. He made money by exhibiting Tonga at the fairs. He calls him back cannibal. This shows the imperialist attitude towards people from colonized land.

4.  Selfish People:

Greed is a kind of selfishness. It is the vice that creates many problems in the world. Dr. Watson calls it a golden barrier. Dr. Watson loved Mary Morstan but he felt that if she inherited the treasure. It would be selfish to marry a wealthy woman. When the treasure was lost, the barrier was abolished. Jonathan Small the vicious circle of crimes surrendering himself to greed.

5.   Revenge – Seeking:

Jonathan Small never lived a peaceful and luxuries life. He killed a merchant in India and was imprisoned when major Sholto went to London with the treasure. He decided to take revenge on him. His desire for revenge made him restless and unhappy. He could his live a normal happy life until he was captured by Holmes. He confessed to Holmes that he had achieved nothing in life except restlessness and guilt-ridden conscience.

6. Female-Gender Roles:

Sherlock Holmes possessed Victorian attitude towards woman undermining their roles. He said to Dr. Watson that “Women are never to be entirely trusted.” (163). When Dr. Watson tells him that Miss Morstan handled tense situations quite stoically. Sherlock Holmes remarked that she must have been more than woman. (37). The gender bias in Holmes is the reflection of the Victorian mindset.

7. Drug Use:

It is for the first time that Conan Doyle shows Holmes using Cocaine. He took it thrice a day to keep stagnation and boredom away. He used it to stimulate his mind. At the end of the novel, he tells, “For me, there is still the cocaine bottle.”

Symbols in ‘The Sign of Four’

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‟s first novel „A study in Scarlet‟ has symbolic reference to history. The story is set in Victorian London. In „The Sign of Four‟ also, the setting is London of Victorian Times. Conan Doyle refers to imperialism, racism and the 1857 mutiny in India. The British rule during the reign of Queen Victoria expanded enormously covering Africa and India. It led to significant growth in colonial trade. Soon after, the industrial revolution took place in England bringing about economic prosperity. It was also the period of development of science, democracy and education. Social reforms took place during the period in England passing many laws to reform society. Conan Doyle presents these changes symbolically. London itself is the symbol of change and hopes.

Form, Structure and language in ‘The Sign of Four’”

„The Sign of Four‟ is a detective fiction whose chief character is Sherlock Holmes. He is rational, scientific and unemotional in his attitude. His observation is keen and subtle. His inductive reasoning is amazingly fresh. Dr. Watson his friend and companion admires his intellectual outlook. Detective fiction deals with mystery and its solution. It builds up tension which is resolved in the end.

The novel has 12 chapters, each of them titled. The first chapter established the main characters that include Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mary Morstan who approaches Holmes to solve the mystery of his missing father. The second chapter introduces the mystery with subsequent chapters building up the tension and complications. In Chapter-7, Holmes proposes a hypothesis based on his observation. Suspense gathers momentum and finally the mystery is solved. The story follows the three part plot: Rising action, Climax and Resolution. The dialogues of other characters reveal their point of view. Jonathan Small-the wooden-legged criminal is arrested and he unfolds the mystery of the treasure, death of Major Sholto. Jonathan Small‟s confession confirms Holmes deduction

Conan Doyle‟s language is often romantic and philosophical. Though the story is narrated by Dr. Watson in direct speech, there are dialogues that reveal the attitude and character of the speakers. Doyle uses similes, metaphors and literary allusions quoting Richter and Goethe in their original German language. Holmes‟s intellectual height is reflected in his vocabulary and the language he uses.

Quotes from ‘The Sign of Four’

Detection is or ought to be an exact science and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner.

My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse pictogram or the most intricate analysis and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with the artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.

• How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
• “No. I am not tired. I have a curious constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely”- Sherlock Holmes.
• “But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things” – Holmes.
• The chief proof of man‟s real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.
• “I‟ve had ups in my life, and I‟ve had downs, but I‟ve learned not to cry over spilled milk.”- Jonathan Small.
• “How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental force of Natural!”

Summing up

„The sign of Four‟ is a detective fiction by Arthur Conan Doyle with imperial contradictions. In the early 19th  century, Britain expanded its empire in several African and Asian colonies including India. The colonial government was established in these colonies. However, the British audacity was shaken with the advent of 1857 mutiny. It was the first major rebellion in British colonies. Arthur Conan Doyle has employed this backdrop into his second detective novel „The Sign of Four‟. The novel presents popular perceptions about colonized people. „The Sign of Four‟ exhibits the late 19th  century societal attitudes towards imperialism. The first important perception was that the British society considered colonies as attractive possessions. Doyle‟s portrayal of India with exotic milieu was a popular conception of the people about India. India symbolized exotic, alluring and sensual appeal. Thaddeus Sholto‟s apartment displays the western attraction for exotic Indian artifacts. British officers in India amassed wealth and rich treasures from India. The Indian natives saved them loyally and often helped them in robbing India of her rich treasured. However, the Mutiny of 1857 shook the British rulers.

The British people often regarded Indians, Africans and Asians as savage and backward. Doyle‟s portrayal of Tonga as primitive, animalistic and frightening is an illustration of t he popular perception of the British people about Indians and Asians. Doyle portrays Holmes as an intelligent detective who selves the British people providing them safety and security. His attitude towards women is quite consecutive and gender-biased despite his chivalry and esteem for women.

Though „The Sign of Four‟ is a detective novel, it has important themes that provide the readers an insight into the late 19th century British society‟s attitude towards imperialism and colonized people in general.

Reference

• De Waal, Robert Burt. The universal Sherlock Holmes. Edited by George A.
• Vanderburgh. Toronto: 1999.
• Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Sign of Four. Edited by Christopher Roden. Oxford University Press, 1993.
• Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Edited by Richard Lancelyn Green. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
• Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Memories of Sherlock Holmes. Edited by Christopher Roden. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
• Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of Baskervilles. Edited by W. W. Robson.
• Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
• Carr, John Dickson. The Life of Sir Conan Doyle. New Year: Harper, 1949.
• Pohle, Robert W., and Douglas C. Hart. Sherlock Holmes on the Screen. South Brunswick, NJ: Barnes, 1977.
• Dakin, D. Martin. A Sherlock Holmes Commentary. David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1972.