Describe the character of Mary Morstan from Dr. Watson’s point of view.

SOLUTION Dr. Watson meets Mary Morstan for the first time when she brings
a case for Sherlock Holmes. He describes Mary as a woman with a firm step
and calmness of manner. He continues his description of her as a young,
graceful, wellgloved lady, who is impeccably dressed in a sober, greyish beige,
untrimmed and unbraided dress with a dull turban that has a white feather on the
side. He finds her costume to be plain and simple, which suggests that she is a
woman of limited means. Her features are not regular and her complexion is not
bright, but her expression is sweet and friendly and her large blue eyes are
remarkably spiritual and sympathetic. Dr. Watson, who happens to know
women from various nations across three different continents, finds Mary’s face
to be indicative of her refined and sensitive nature. He even describes her
emotional state of mind as agitated, because he witnesses her lip tremble and
her hand quiver as she takes her seat. Dr. Watson finds Mary to be a very
attractive woman with a deep, rich-toned voice and a beauty that has aged well
with time. When Dr. Watson meets Mary Morstan for the second time, he
describes her as wrapped in a dark cloak with her pale, composed and sensitive
face. He says that she would have looked exceptional had she not been feeling
uneasy about her strange situation. However, despite her discomfort, she
displays perfect self-control. Watson also observes that as they drove to the
Lyceum Theatre, the combination of the dull evening and the mysterious nature
of their mission left her nervous and depressed. Finally, he notes that even while
they are escorted to an unknown place, Mary demeanour is as resolute and
collected as ever. Of most importance is Mary’s disinterest in the inheritance of
riches and her relief and happiness at finding out the treasure has been lost and
her subsequent acceptance of Watson’s proposal, proving once again that she is
a virtuous woman.
Sherlock Holmes is the leading character in the extract. Explain.
SOLUTION At the beginning of the extract, we see that Miss Mary Morstan
comes to meet Sherlock Holmes with a case. Through her conversation with
Holmes, we come to know that in the past he had solved a case for Miss
Morstan’s employer, Mrs. Cecil Forrester. This is the first time we are
introduced to Sherlock Holmes as a detective. Dr. Watson describes him as
having clear-cut, hawk-like features. Upon listening to Miss Morstan’s story, he
is the one who questions her further. This helps the reader understand Holmes’
importance in the extract, thus adding weight to his character. After Miss
Morstan leaves, Holmes swings into action by going out to gain more
information about the case. Upon his return, he shares his findings with Dr.
Watson, which are quite commendable considering he was able to gain so much
information in one afternoon. This further strengthens his character as the main
lead in the story. An important point of observation is Holmes’ stark refusal to
let emotions come in the way of solving a case. This lack of emotion not only
sets him apart from Watson, but also from the average reader, making him an
extraordinary character. It is perhaps this complete focus on rationality and
logic that enables Holmes to make quick advances in the case. On the carriage
ride, Holmes deciphers the contents of the page that Miss Morstan shares with
him, thus highlighting his intellectual prowess. On the second carriage ride, as
the trio are being taken away to an unknown destination, Dr. Watson feels lost,
but Holmes is able to clearly identify the places through which the carriage
passes. Holmes is, therefore, depicted as the leading character in the extract
through the qualities exhibited by him over the course of the story.
Dr. Watson, the narrator, is one of the major characters in the novel.
Illustrate
SOLUTION Dr. John Watson is the narrator of the story. From his admiring
description of Miss Mary Morstan and his appreciative expression of Holmes’
abilities to his detailed account of the evening scene in London and his
depiction of each emotion felt by the characters, Dr. Watson’s insightful
narration helps the readers experience the story through his eyes. However, Dr.
Watson is not merely the narrator of the story; he is also Holmes’ closest friend
as well as his assistant. A doctor by profession, Watson is an empathetic man,
who understands emotions and situations on a level that Holmes fails to
understand. He is the second-most important character in the story, after
Holmes. This is because he helps Holmes comprehend the sensitive aspects of
situations, which is not Holmes’ strong suit. Though Holmes is extraordinarily
gifted, this does not stop Watson from arguing with him, making him the only
one capable of tolerating Holmes and proving that he is the perfect companion
for the eccentric detective. His admiration for Miss Morstan shows us his
romantic side and his hesitation to feel worthy of Miss Morstan’s affection
portrays him as a true gentleman. All the qualities attributed to Dr. Watson,
along with his relationship to the protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, and his
narrative viewpoint, make him one of the major characters in the novel.
Holmes is always one step ahead of Dr. Watson in solving cases. Elucidate.
SOLUTION Holmes possesses exceptional powers of observation and
deduction. His rational thinking and logical approach help him analyze cases in
a way that no one else can comprehend. The extent of Holmes’ intellectual
skills can be witnessed when he deciphers the piece of paper that Miss Morstan
gives him in the carriage and also when he is able to name every place the
carriage passes through, despite not knowing the intended destination.
Moreover, Sherlock’s approach to his cases is devoid of emotion. He simply
takes interest in the facts and does not leave room for personal bias to impair his
judgment. His ability to rise above the fear and anxiety felt by an ordinary
person in a tense situation sets him apart and gives him the power to look at the
situation from a unique perspective. In Dr. Watson’s opinion, Holmes is an
automaton − a calculating machine − which makes him positively inhuman. On
the other hand, though Dr. Watson is a keen observer, he is no match for
Sherlock Holmes. His analytical skills are not as refined as Sherlock’s. Unlike
Holmes, Dr. Watson does not treat the clients as mere units or factors. His
emotional side leads him to sympathise and at times empathise with the clients.
He excels in sensing a person’s state of mind, a quality lacking in Holmes,
which makes him more sensitive and humane. However, his personal opinion
about everyone may be clouding his judgment, thus causing him to miss out on
the subtle clues that Holmes never fails to pick. For instance, it takes Holmes a
mere afternoon to make the important connection between Major Sholto and the
anonymous sender of pearls, which Watson does not make even when Holmes
presents him with the facts that he had obtained. This proves that Holmes is a
master of deduction who thrives on mysteries and lives to resolve them. This is
why Holmes is always one step ahead of Dr. Watson in solving case
Discuss the importance of the following statement in light of the extract.
The trio − Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Mary decide to visit Lyceum Theatre.
SOLUTION Mary comes to meet Sherlock with a case. For the past six years,
an anonymous person has been sending a pearl to Mary on the same day each
year. However, this year, she has received a letter from the anonymous sender
requesting her to go to the third pillar from the left, outside the Lyceum Theatre.
The letter suggested that Mary had been wronged in some way and that she
shall have justice. Though the sender warned Mary not to inform the police, he
did tell her that she could have two friends accompany her. At this point, Mary
is curious about the meeting but at the same time, the prospect of meeting a
stranger alone is obviously unsettling. Thus, as a compromise, she decides to
not call the police but enlists the help of a detective,
Discuss the importance of the following statement in light of the extract.
Mary received Pearls every year on the same day.
SOLUTION Mary’s father had disappeared ten years ago and a few years after
his disappearance, she saw an anonymous advertisement in the newspaper
asking her for her address. Upon her employer’s advice, she gave her address
and began receiving a large pearl in the mail each year. These pearls that Mary
receives are central to Mary’s mysterious case. The reason this statement is
important is because it hints that someone is trying to make amends for some
wrongful action that has somehow harmed Mary
Discuss the importance of the following statement in light of the extract.
Holmes carefully examined the paper given by Mary.
SOLUTION The paper that Mary gave to Holmes was found in her father’s
desk. Mary told Holmes that no one had been able to understand the contents of
the paper. Though she didn’t think it was relevant to the case, she thought
Holmes would like to see it and that’s why she had brought it with her. Holmes,
too, did not think that the paper was relevant to the case at hand. However, he
told Mary that it was an important document and that she should preserve it
carefully as it may prove to be of use later. After examining the paper, Holmes
also declared that the matter was deeper and more complicated than he had
initially thought and that he might have to reconsider his approach to the case.
The paper, in fact, contained the location of the treasure that Jonathan Small and
his three conspirators had hidden in the Agra Fort. This statement is important
because this is the first time the location of the treasure surfaces in the story.
Though at this point, the characters are unaware of even the existence of such a
treasure, the paper is proof that the story narrated by Jonathan Small, upon his
arrest, is actually true. It is also important because it is the first moment when
the titular ‘the sign of four’ is introduced to the story. Finally, Sherlock makes
many quick deductions from the paper which serves to demonstrate his
intellectual abilities, yet again.
How does the series of actions go from London to India? Explain by citing
references from the extract.
SOLUTION The extract begins in present-day (1888) London when Miss Mary
Morstan comes to meet Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with a case. She
begins to narrate the events that have occurred in the past. The first reference to
India is made in the line − “My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who
sent me home when I was quite a child”, where Mary tells Holmes and Watson
that her father had been stationed in India (before 1878). The scene shifts to
London with the line − “He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived
all safe, and directed me to come down at once, giving the Langham Hotel as
his address”, where Mary tells them about her father’s return to London, ten
years ago (1878). The next reference to India is made when Mary says, “There
was nothing in it to suggest a clue, − some clothes, some books, and a
considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands. He had been one
of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there”, explaining that there was
nothing in her father’s luggage, except his belongings and some curiosities from
Andaman Islands, a place where he was stationed as one of the officers in
charge of the convict-guard (before 1878). She refers to India yet again in the
line − “Only one that we know of, Major Sholto, of his own regiment, the 34th
Bombay Infantry” − where she mentions the regiment of which her father and
Major Sholto were a part (before 1878). The scene shifts to London yet again in
the line − “We communicated with him, of course, but he did not even know
that his brother officer was in England”, where Mary explains how Major
Sholto didn’t even know that Mary’s father had returned to England when she
contacted him ten years ago (1878). The scene is brought back to present-day
London (1888) in the line − “A singular case,” remarked Holmes - as Holmes
listens to the details of Mary’s case and admits that is indeed a remarkable one.
In the evening, Mary meets Holmes and Dr. Watson for the second time and we
are taken once again to the past where a reference has been made to India − “He
and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands, so they were
thrown a great deal together.” − where she tells Holmes and Watson about how
Major Sholto and her father were in command of the troops at the Andaman
Islands and hence spent a great deal of time in each other’s company (before
1878). The very next line brings us back to present-day London (1888) − “By
the way, a curious paper was found in papa’s desk which no one could
understand.” − where Mary tells Sherlock about a piece of paper that had been
found in her father’s desk when he had disappeared ten years ago and whose
contents no one had been able to understand. Thus, the action of the plot moves
back and forth between India and London.
The extract begins when Mary Morstan meets Sherlock Holmes at his
house. After that Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Mary visit some places in
London. Explain in detail the various places mentioned in the extract.
SOLUTION As the trio headed towards the Lyceum Theatre in their cab, Dr.
Watson described the September evening as dull, with a thick misty fog that lay
low upon the great city and mud-coloured clouds slowly moving over the
muddy streets. The first place that they come across is the Strand, where the
street lamps look like misty spots of dim light, throwing a faint circular glimmer
upon the wet pavement. The bright yellow lights in the shop-windows shone out
into the steamy, foggy air and threw a misty, irregular glow across the crowded
street. The faces of the countless people, who passed through these narrow bars
of light, seemed eerie and ghostlike. The trio then reaches Lyceum Theatre,
where the side-entrances were already crowded with people while horse-drawn
carriages and four-wheelers constantly flowed at the front and shirtfronted men
and beshawled and bediamonded women alighted from these rides. From the
Lyceum Theatre, the trio was escorted by a small, dark, brisk coachman in a
horse-drawn carriage. The carriage passed through Rochester Row Street, then
through Vincent Square, then along Vauxhall Bridge Road, and headed over to
the Surrey side, adjoining the Thames. As the carriage crossed over a bridge, a
passing view of a stretch of the Thames, with the lamps shining upon the water
could be seen. On the other side of the bridge, they landed on Wordsworth
Road, followed by Priory Road, Lark Hall Lane, Stockwell Place, Robert Street,
and Cold Harbour Lane, all of which are among the less fashionable regions of
London. This rundown neighborhood is questionable and forbidding and full of
dull brick houses with some public houses at the corner. These are followed by
two-storied villas, each with its small garden in the front, and then followed
again by a continuous line of new brick buildings, which looked like the
monstrous tentacles of the city. Their journey ended in this neighborhood where
they drew up at the third house on a new terrace
Basically the setting of the extract is in London but it has some references
of India, too. Explain how the settings of the extract contribute to the
theme of the novel.
SOLUTION The novel has many dominant themes which are highlighted by the
setting of the extract as follows: 1. Imperialism: The story of ‘The Sign of Four’
is set against the backdrop of the Victorian Empire. Back then, India was under
colonial rule and was a very important colony for the British. Often called as
“the crown jewel”, India was associated with wealth and riches. Under colonial
rule, British officers were often stationed in India. In this particular extract,
Mary’s father, Captain Morstan of the 34th Bombay Infantry, was stationed in
India at the penal colony of the Andaman Islands. Her father’s friend, Major
Sholto, was also stationed in the same regiment. Thus, the theme of imperialism
is evident in the details of the extract. In addition, when Holmes, Watson and
Mary Morstan arrive at the house of the anonymous sender of pearls, Watson
finds the presence of an ‘Indian’ servant to be strange. This, too, hints at the
imperialist attitudes of Englishmen who viewed people from the east (Indians)
with suspicion. 2. Wealth: Another theme of the extract is that of wealth. The
pearls, which Miss Morstan receives, represent the theme of wealth. Wealth is
also symbolized in the setting of the Lyceum theatre, where the rich and affluent
arrive in all their glory. This setting hints at the bigger theme of the Agra
treasure, which dominates the novel and of which the characters have no idea. 3.
Fear of anything foreign: The disappearance of Captain Morstan as soon as he
returned from India, indicates that the events that transpired in India are
somehow responsible for his unfortunate fate. Thus, from the point of view of
the main characters, ‘abroad’ (India) is associated with the theme of evil.
Similarly, the appearance of an “Oriental figure” (referring to a person from the
East; in this case, India) against the setting of a third-rate house in a suburb of
south London leaves the characters wary of his presence. This highlights the
biased attitudes of the main characters towards “the East” due to which they
view it as a place of intrigue and suspicion. In addition, the “oriental figure”,
who is the servant of the man who sends the anonymous letters, uses the word
“Sahib” to refer to his master. This further alienates him and categorises him as
foreign to the readers, making them doubtful of his presence at the house. The
writer has thus weaved the theme of “fear of anything foreign”, which was
prevalent at the time, into this extract by the way of the male servant. 4.
Mystery: Captain Morstan was a British officer who was stationed in India and
was in charge of the convict-guard at the Andaman Islands. His immediate
disappearance on returning to London suggests that his disappearance is
connected to the events that occurred in India and contributes to the mystery
that Holmes is trying to solve. Because the characters consider India as
“foreign”, elements and characters associated with India are viewed as
mysterious and intriguing. Another example of this is the paper found in
Captain Morstan’s desk which bears the name of four men. Not only do the
contents of the paper not make sense to the characters but also the names of the
men, being of Indian origin, contribute to the sense of mystery due to their
“foreign” nature. Similarly, the presence of an Indian servant at the house in
south London represents another link to the “East” (India) and is viewed as
strange by the main characters. Finally, the gothic description of London as the
character's journey to meet the anonymous sender adds to the theme of mystery
by creating a dark and gloomy image of London. 5. Justice: The assumption that
Major’s Sholto’s heir is trying to be just to Mary by offering her pearls as
compensation highlights the theme of justice. This, too, is related to the events
that happened in India, because Major Sholto denies knowing about Captain
Morstan’s return to London.
Describe in brief the importance of the following place in the extract.
London
SOLUTION Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Miss Mary Morstan, and the
anonymous sender of the letter − all live in London. Though there are references
about India in the extract, it is in London where the majority of the action
occurs. In this particular extract, two different sides of London have been shown
− the fashionable north and west London with the Langham Hotel, the Strand,
and Lyceum Theatre frequented by the wealthy crowd and the unfashionable
south London suburbs, lined with dull brick houses and third rate two-storied
villas. Over the course of the story, all the characters in the story eventually end
up in London as this is where the climax of the story takes place.
Describe in brief the importance of the following place in the extract.
Lyceum Theatre
SOLUTION The Lyceum Theatre is important in the extract because the
anonymous sender of the pearls requests Miss Mary Morstan to meet with him
at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre. This is the place that
promises to unfold the mystery of the anonymous sender and reveal the story of
how Mary is a “wronged woman”. The writer has also used the sophisticated
upper class of London that arrives in cabs and horsedrawn carriages outside the
Lyceum Theatre as a symbol of wealth, to hint at the riches that the treasure has
the potential to bestow upon Mary Morstan, about which she has no idea
Describe in brief the importance of the following place in the extract. Agra
SOLUTION Though there is no direct mention of Agra in this particular extract,
the place is central to all the drama that unfolds in the novel. The treasure,
which drives the actions of the characters in the story, comes from Agra. The
chain of events that alters the lives of all the major characters in the story sets
off in Agra. Even in the extract, the pearls that Mary receives are from a chaplet
that was a part of the Agra treasure and the piece of paper that Mary shares with
Holmes contains the blueprint of the Agra Fort, the original hiding place of the
treasure.
Describe in brief the importance of the following place in the extract.
Andaman Islands
SOLUTION The Andaman Islands are referred twice in the given extract − once
when Mary reveals that her father, Captain Morstan, was one of the officers in
charge of the convictguard in Andaman Islands; and the second time when she
discloses that Major Sholto, her father’s friend, was also in charge of the
convict-guard in the Andaman Islands. In the context of the novel, the Andaman
Islands are vital to the story as this is where the lives of Captain Morstan and
Major Sholto get entangled in the Agra treasure crime, thus setting off a
disastrous chain of events.
Write in brief the theme of the extract.
SOLUTION 1. Wealth: When Mary Morstan visits Holmes and Watson to
enlist their help, Watson describes her as one “dressed in the most perfect taste”
while also appearing to be of “limited means”. Her simple, but the beautiful
appearance is set up in contrast to the potential riches of the Agra treasure that
she might receive. Morstan then outlines the details of her case, wherein she
receives a mysterious letter from an anonymous person asking her to meet him.
This anonymous sender has been sending her pearls for the last six years. These
precious pearls represent the theme of wealth. Finally, the meeting point
suggested by the sender of the letter is the Lyceum theatre, which is located in
the upper-class neighborhood of London’s West End. This adds to the theme of
prosperity and hints at the existence of the treasure, of which the characters
have no idea. 2. Logic versus Emotion: Another evident theme in the extract is
that of logic versus emotion. On the one hand, the narrator of the story, Dr.
Watson, admires Miss Morstan’s beauty and is attracted to her; and on the
other, Holmes views Miss Morstan as a mere unit or factor in a problem. Dr.
Watson represents the sensitive, emotional, and empathetic side of man, while
Holmes embodies the analytical, rational, and intellectual side. 3. Imperialism:
Miss Morstan’s revelation of her father and Major Sholto being officers in the
34th Bombay Infantry, represents the theme of imperialism. The story has been
written during a time when the Victorian Empire was flourishing. India was
under British rule and a lot of British officers were stationed in the Indian
colony. In addition, the suspicious nature of the main characters towards India
and those associated with it (the male servant) highlights the imperialist attitude
of the British, which was common at the time. 4. Justice: Sherlock deduces that
Major Sholto’s heir knows something about Captain Morstan’s disappearance
and is 3 trying to compensate for the loss suffered by Mary all those years ago.
This represents the theme of justice in the extract. 5. Victorian Gothic and
mystery: The gothic theme has also been woven into the extract by the writer’s
description of London as being enveloped in a “dense drizzly fog”, with the
street lamps throwing “splotches of diffused light” and the glare from the shop
windows creating a “murky shifting radiance” across the crowded street. This
kind of dark and gloomy setting also adds to the theme of mystery that is central
to this novel. The “monster tentacles” also refer to the gothic style, which was
associated with evil and monstrosity.
Write 4-5 sentences about the meeting of Miss Morstan with Holmes.
SOLUTION Miss Mary Morstan comes to meet Sherlock Holmes with a case.
She narrates the story of her father’s disappearance under mysterious
circumstances ten years ago. She then shares the intriguing case of the pearls
that she has been receiving for the past six years by an anonymous sender, who
now wants to meet with her. She requests Holmes and Watson to accompany
her to the meeting. They both agree and decide to meet Mary at six in the
evening to head to the place of the meeting together.
Write the central idea of the given extract of the novel, “The Sign of Four”.
SOLUTION Various themes/central ideas are highlighted in the given extract
of the novel. However, the central idea that dominates the extract is that of
justice. All the events in the given extract are the result of the anonymous letter
requesting a meeting with Miss Mary Morstan. This letter has been sent by the
same person who has been sending the pearls to Miss Morstan for the past six
years. As deduced by Holmes, the act can be viewed as compensation being
given for the loss suffered by Miss Morstan, because the letter mentions her as a
“wronged woman”. Miss Morstan’s decision to seek Holmes’ assistance and the
decision to go to the meeting place are the outcomes of the letter sent by the
anonymous person.
Elaborate the following line in the light of the novel/extract, “The Sign of
Four” - “You really are an automaton − a calculating machine.”
SOLUTION This line is spoken by Dr. Watson when Holmes tells him that he
didn’t really observe Miss Mary Morstan’s attractiveness. Though Dr. Watson
knows Holmes really well, he finds it astonishing that he can be so inhuman as
to not notice beauty. Holmes' character is known for having razor-sharp
intelligence, a keen eye, and extraordinary powers of deduction. However, the
character is also emotionally detached and views his clients as mere units or
factors in a problem. Holmes believes that emotional qualities get in the way of
logical reasoning and he does not want his judgment to be biased by the
personal qualities of his clients. Since humans are, by their very - “You really
are an automaton − a calculative