SIGN OF FOUR
Where is your learning?
Where is your learning?
■ Finish the Venn diagram from Friday
■ Under the title paper 1 q1 find 4 statements from the first 5 sentences of ch2 that
suggest Mary Morestan is not rich.
■ Read chapter 3 focusing on the paragraph starting "it was a September
evening“…down to "light of his pocket lantern." Answer this question- how does Doyle
use descriptive language in this chapter? Write 2 paragraphs AT LEAST with lots of
A02 and extra points for some A03 too.....think about London weather conditions in
19th century and what it could allow criminals to do...could it be a metaphor?
Where is your learning?
"White upper- and middle-class British men were considered to be the peak of civilisation. It was
therefore assumed to be their duty to lead, look after and educate everyone else. The right attitude
towards women, poor people and those from other races was that they were a bit like children."
■
Respond to the statement above in relation to chapter 4.
■
Write this statement at the top of your page.
■
Find the word "imperialism" in the dictionary and write the definition down.
■
Write the word "other" on one double page. Create a mind map with the following branches:
setting/physical characteristics/dialogue/sensory references/
■
Find quotations from chapter 4 that show Solto as "other/different/foreign" using the branches to
focus.
■
Using a red pen briefly annotate each quotation to explore what each implies and what attitude to
foreigners is being shown.
■
Go back to the statement...is there evidence to prove this now?
■
Extension: Answer this question “To what extent does Conan Doyle depict typical attitudes towards
foreigners in his representation of Sholto?”
Chapter 5-Gothic genre:
Identify the conventions of the gothic genre
in this extract.
■ heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky, with half a moon peeping occasionally
through the rifts. It was clear enough to see for some distance, but Thaddeus Sholto
took down one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our
way. Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds, and was girt round with a very high
stone wall topped with broken glass. A single narrow iron clamped door formed the
only means of entrance…There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of
keys. The door swung heavily back, and a short, deep-chested man stood in the
opening, with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and
twinkling distrustful eyes…Inside, a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a
huge clump of a house, square and prosaic, all plunged in shadow save where a
moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window. The vast size of
the building, with its gloom and its deathly silence, struck a chill to the heart. Even
Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease, and the lantern quivered and rattled in his
hand.
For what purpose has Conan Doyle created this gothic setting for Pondicherry Lodge?
Chapter 5-Gothic genre:
Identify the conventions of the gothic genre
in this extract.
■ heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky, with half a moon peeping occasionally
through the rifts. It was clear enough to see for some distance, but Thaddeus Sholto
took down one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our
way. Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds, and was girt round with a very high
stone wall topped with broken glass. A single narrow iron clamped door formed the
only means of entrance…There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of
keys. The door swung heavily back, and a short, deep-chested man stood in the
opening, with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and
twinkling distrustful eyes…Inside, a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a
huge clump of a house, square and prosaic, all plunged in shadow save where a
moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window. The vast size of
the building, with its gloom and its deathly silence, struck a chill to the heart. Even
Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease, and the lantern quivered and rattled in his
hand
For what purpose has Conan Doyle created this gothic setting for Pondicherry Lodge?
Conan Doyle calls on these conventions of the gothic genre to evoke a foreboding and chilling tone,
which, coming directly after the presentation of Sholto’s mysterious, magical eastern otherness,
highlights how dangerous their investigation is becoming thus increasing the tension and intrigue.
Paper 1 Question 2
■
How does Conan Doyle use gothic conventions in this extract?
Reminder:
1.
Do ensure that once you have identified a technique, you must place the quote straight after it:
YES the noun phrase “desolate grounds” OR “desolate grounds”, the noun phrase
NO the noun phrase that Conan Doyle uses in this extract where he describes the
“desolate grounds”
2. Do ensure you reflect specifically on the connotations and meanings in context – not generally:
for Holmes
YES this pathetic fallacy “heavy clouds moved slowly” implies that the case is a struggle
NO “heavy clouds moved slowly” is pathetic fallacy which shows the weather relates to
Holmes’ mood.
3. NO INTRODUCTION!
4. Embed your quotations
Example
■ Elements of gothic conventions are found in the use of pathetic fallacy, “heavy
clouds moved slowly”, which mirrors the struggle Holmes has with solving the case,
and develops a rising tension in the plot of the chapter, as we consider Holmes’
ability to prove his skills as a detective. Furthermore, the visual sensory description
of the lodge as “girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass”
Chapter 6:
Holmes & Jones
Holmes
Write in the quotations that will show the
contrast between Jones and Holmes.
Challenge: Write an extended paragraph to compare Doyle’s
presentation of Holmes and Jones, reflecting on society’s
disdain for the police in this era.
Jones
Extra Challenge: Can you
include, and reflect on, the
statement on the board?
Chapter 7
A03
A Victorian woman “would be stoical, motherly, submissive and chaste” (Paxman 228);
“Innocence and inexperience and a cultivated fragility were the characteristic attributes
of the Victorian girl” (Klein 264)
To what extent does Conan Doyle reflect these beliefs in his depiction of Mary Morstan?
A01:
We can start with
the portrayal of
Morstan in Chapter
6, but look
elsewhere in the
novel too.
A02: How does Conan
Doyle use language to
depict her? What
imagery is used, words
chosen? What are the
connotations?
Starting Point
Quote
Evaluation of Language and meaning
Writing this up
■ In your response to the question you MUST include something from the statements
given at the start of the lesson. You need to explore language in your discussion of
how Morstan is depicted by Conan Doyle, and you need to reflect on what image of
her is being constructed.
Eg.
Conan Doyle follows stereotypical social and literary tropes in his depiction of
Morstan….
Narrative Structure – Chapter 7
“The Chase”
Toby’s chase through the streets of London is a narrative device; it enables Holmes to
present his deductions relating to the case within a framework of tension and
suspense.
BUT….Exactly how does Conan Doyle use this narrative structure to escalate the tension
and suspense in the novel?
A01: Use of quotations to support a critical response to the question
A02: analysis of a writer’s craft (structure) in developing meaning
Key Word: Red Herring
A device in detective literature or film where a clue turns out to be misleading.
Key Word: Foil
A character who plays a contrasting character or who presents a contrasting voice or idea.
Collecting the evidence
Toby: his chase
Holmes: his deductions and
findings
What can we deduce from this evidence?
Are there connections between the dog’s
chase and the development of the plot?
What about the ending of the chapter?
Watson: his reflections and
responses
“strained his leash and kept us “Good old Toby. Smell it!
at the top of our speed”
“Toby ran along, whining
eagerly”
“Toby never hesitated or
swerved”
“There’s the print”
“I confess I had my doubts”
Collecting the evidence
Toby: his chase
Holmes: his deductions and
findings
Now you need to make connections
between the three columns…
Watson: his reflections and
responses
“strained his leash and kept us “Good old Toby. Smell it!
at the top of our speed”
“Toby ran along, whining
eagerly”
“Toby never hesitated or
swerved”
“There’s the print”
Toby is literally and
metaphorically the
engine of the
chapter…leading
Holmes to clues
“I confess I had my doubts”
Watson is the foil in this
chapter
Collating the evidence
Exactly how does Conan Doyle use this narrative structure to escalate the tension and
suspense in the novel?
SAMPLE ANSWER:
■ Conan Doyle’s narrative device in Chapter 7 is to create a parallel between the
chase with Toby the dog and the situation of to the case, thus escalating the tension
and suspense as readers are drawn along on this physical and metaphorical chase.
Toby’s initial reaction “strained at his leash” could symbolise a quickening of the
case and a new energy in trying to get it solved. “Toby never hesitated or swerved” is
also a symbolic comparison with Holmes, who remains committed to solving the
case and avoiding distractions. Later, Toby’s response is to….
…..finally, however, Toby draws Holmes and Watson to a red herring, a barrel of tar. This
anti-climax adds humour to the conclusion of this chase but also further develops
suspense as we become eager to untangle the mystery with Holmes into the next
chapter.
Chapter 9
Task 1: Paper 1 Q1
List four things from this extract about the old man.
This extract below comes from
Chapter 9, when Holmes tricks
Athelney Jones and Dr Watson by
concealing his identity.
A heavy step was heard ascending the stair, with a great wheezing and rattling as
from a man who was sorely put to it for breath. Once or twice he stopped, as though
the climb were too much for him, but at last he made his way to our door and
entered. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. He was
an aged man, clad in seafaring garb, with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his
throat. His back was bowed, his knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully
asthmatic. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the
effort to draw the air into his lungs. He had a colored scarf round his chin, and I
could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white
brows, and long gray side-whiskers. Altogether he gave me the impression of a
respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty…Suddenly,
however, Holmes’s voice broke in upon us. “I think that you might offer me a cigar
too,” he said. We both started in our chairs. There was Holmes sitting close to us
with an air of quiet amusement. “Holmes!” I exclaimed. “You here! But where is the
old man?” “Here is the old man,” said he, holding out a heap of white hair. “Here he
is,—wig, whiskers, eyebrows, and all. I thought my disguise was pretty good, but I
hardly expected that it would stand that test.” “Ah, you rogue!” cried Jones, highly
delighted.
Challenge
Can you explain
why Doyle takes
such pains to
describe this
character in detail?
Chapter 9
This extract below comes from
Chapter 9, when Holmes tricks
Athelney Jones and Dr Watson by
concealing his identity.
A heavy step was heard ascending the stair, with a great wheezing and rattling as
from a man who was sorely put to it for breath. Once or twice he stopped, as though
the climb were too much for him, but at last he made his way to our door and
entered. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. He was
an aged man, clad in seafaring garb, with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his
throat. His back was bowed, his knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully
asthmatic. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the
effort to draw the air into his lungs. He had a colored scarf round his chin, and I
could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white
brows, and long gray side-whiskers. Altogether he gave me the impression of a
respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty…Suddenly,
however, Holmes’s voice broke in upon us. “I think that you might offer me a cigar
too,” he said. We both started in our chairs. There was Holmes sitting close to us
with an air of quiet amusement. “Holmes!” I exclaimed. “You here! But where is the
old man?” “Here is the old man,” said he, holding out a heap of white hair. “Here he
is,—wig, whiskers, eyebrows, and all. I thought my disguise was pretty good, but I
hardly expected that it would stand that test.” “Ah, you rogue!” cried Jones, highly
delighted.
Structural Devices
TasK 4: to write down which argument(s)
from the list below are more likely
explanation for the disguise.
“Concealing his identity allowed Holmes to trail suspects without their knowledge, and
slip his enemies' traps time after time.” R. Riggs
1. To show up Jones and Watson: perhaps this scene occurs because Doyle wants to
highlight Holmes’ superiority in the matter of detective work and solving the case,
thereby reinforcing the view that traditional policemen are old fashioned and inept.
2. To suggest Holmes needs this disguise as the case is becoming more difficult to
solve, thereby increasing tension and suspense.
3. To indicate that Holmes has become so famous he cannot execute his plan without
concealment.
Paper 1, Question 3:
Disguise: NOUN
a means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
How does the writer use structure to interest you as a reader?
Structural Devices
Paper 1 Q3. How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader?
Task 5: Using your chosen argument, complete this point…
Conan Doyle structures this extract by introducing an unknown character who Watson
comments, “Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner
who had fallen into years and poverty…” Watson’s impression of the character is so
detailed we – as readers – a left with no doubt this is an old seafaring gentleman “As
he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air
into his lungs.” However, this image is directly contradicted when Holmes reveals
himself and Jones comments “you would have made an actor, and a rare one.” This
structural device of disguise is use because…
Chapter 10
■ You now need to think about the whole of the source.
This text is from the middle of a short story.
How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader?
You could write about:
• what the writer focuses your attention on at the beginning
• how and why the writer changes this focus as the source develops
• any other structural features that interest you.
■ [8 marks]
Key Words

Juxtapositions

Beginning

Climax

Middle

Cliff hanger

Complication

Parallelism

Conclusion/Denouement

Chronological adverbs

Foregrounding

Paragraphs

Perspectives

Speech /Dialogue

Different sentence structures:
simple/complex/minor

Tense
Sentence Starters on Structure
Useful sentence starters:
Structure is initially used to…
One way structure has been used is to…
The impact of the complex sentences is to…
The opening line is structurally interesting because…
The contrasts created between…
The continued shift in focus allows the audience to…
The climax of the piece is…
The writer has foregrounded the idea of…
The use of direct speech is used so that…
The narrative voice is significant as…
The fact that it is past tense allows the writer to…
The 3rd / 1st person narration creates a sense of…
At that moment, however, as our evil fate would have it, a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. It was only by
putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision, and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had
gained a good two hundred yards. She was still, however, well in view, and the murky uncertain twilight was setting into a clear
starlit night. Our boilers were strained to their utmost, and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was
driving us along. We had shot through the Pool, past the West India Docks, down the long Deptford Reach, and up again after
rounding the Isle of Dogs. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora. Jones turned our
search-light upon her, so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck. One man sat by the stern, with something black
between his knees over which he stooped. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. The boy held the
tiller, while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith, stripped to the waist, and shovelling coals for dear life.
They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them, but now as we followed every winding and
turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. At Greenwich we were about three hundred paces behind
them. At Blackwall we could not have been more than two hundred and fifty. I have coursed many creatures in many countries
during my checkered career, but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad, flying man-hunt down the Thames.
Steadily we drew in upon them, yard by yard. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their
machinery. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck, and his arms were moving as though he were busy, while every
now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us. Nearer we came and nearer.
Jones yelled to them to stop. We were not more than four boat’s lengths behind them, both boats flying at a tremendous pace. It
was a clear reach of the river, with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. At our
hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us, cursing the while in a high, cracked
voice. He was a good-sized, powerful man, and as he stood poising himself with legs astride I could see that from the thigh
downwards there was but a wooden stump upon the right side. At the sound of his strident, angry cries there was movement in
the huddled bundle upon the deck. It straightened itself into a little black man—the smallest I have ever seen—with a great,
misshapen head and a shock of tangled, dishevelled hair. Holmes had already drawn his revolver, and I whipped out mine at the
sight of this savage, distorted creature. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket, which left only his face exposed;
but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and
cruelty. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light, and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth, which grinned
and chattered at us with a half animal fury.
Chapter 11 & 12
How does Conan Doyle perpetuate racist, imperialistic views in Chapter 11 & 12?
1. Re-read Chapter 11 & 12.
Starter: Create a full page mind map. Write down all the racist or imperialistic
quotations using different colours for each character.
Main: Choose 10 of the most “extreme” quotations and annotate for meaning.
What can be inferred?
Extra Challenge: Connect at least 4 of these to A03 context. How do these
quotations reflect attitudes at the time?
Superstar: Complete an answer to the question which reflects on how and why
Conan Doyle perpetuates these racist and imperialistic views in his novella.
Chapter 1
I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness
in my heart.
"This is unworthy of you, Holmes," I said. "I could not have believed that you would have
descended to this. You have made inquiries into the history of my unhappy brother, and you
now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way. You cannot expect me to believe
that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind, and, to speak plainly, has a touch
of charlatanism in it."
"My dear doctor," said he, kindly, "pray accept my apologies. Viewing the matter as an
abstract problem, I had forgotten how personal and painful a thing it might be to you. I
assure you, however, that I never even knew that you had a brother until you handed me the
watch."
"Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely
correct in every particular."
Read the extract above, then answer both parts of the question:
Beginning with the extract above, write about:
■ how Conan Doyle portrays the relationship between Holmes and Watson in this extract
■ how Conan Doyle portrays this relationship in the rest of the novel.