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The Sign of Four
by Arthur Conan Doyle
19th Century Novel
Overview
The Sign of Four is a detective novel featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate a complex case involving a mysterious treasure, a murdered man, and a pact made in an Indian prison. The novel showcases Holmes's deductive methods while exploring themes of imperialism and justice.
Plot Summary
- 1Mary Morstan asks Holmes to investigate the disappearance of her father and mysterious pearl gifts
- 2They follow clues to the home of Bartholomew Sholto, who is found murdered
- 3Holmes deduces that the murderer is a small man with a poisoned dart
- 4The treasure connected to the case has a dark history involving four convicts in India
- 5Holmes and Watson chase the murderer down the Thames in a thrilling boat pursuit
- 6The treasure is lost in the river, but the murderer, Jonathan Small, is captured
- 7Small reveals the story of the treasure and the pact between four men
- 8Watson falls in love with Mary Morstan and proposes
Key Themes
- •Empire and imperialism
- •Justice and revenge
- •Deductive reasoning and science
- •Greed and moral corruption
- •The exotic and the foreign
- •Loyalty and betrayal
Main Characters
- Sherlock Holmes: The brilliant detective
- Dr. John Watson: Holmes's loyal friend and narrator
- Mary Morstan: The client who becomes Watson's love interest
- Jonathan Small: The peg-legged villain seeking treasure
- Tonga: Small's accomplice from the Andaman Islands
- Athelney Jones: The Scotland Yard detective
Historical & Literary Context
- Published in 1890 during the height of British imperialism
- Set in London and connected to events in colonial India
- Reflects Victorian fascination with crime and detection
- The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is central to the backstory
- Shows both the appeal and critique of empire
Exam Relevance & Tips
- Analyze Conan Doyle's presentation of Holmes's detective methods
- Examine the novel's treatment of empire and colonial attitudes
- Discuss the portrayal of the 'exotic other' through characters like Tonga
- Consider how the novel reflects Victorian anxieties about crime and foreignness
- Explore the structure of detective fiction and its appeal to readers
Why This Matters
The Sign of Four established many conventions of detective fiction and showcases Sherlock Holmes at his deductive best. While entertaining, the novel also reveals Victorian attitudes toward empire and race, making it valuable for understanding both the development of crime fiction and the imperial context in which it was written.