Summary | Plot
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A Few Themes CoveredA Study in Scarlet explores a wide range of themes that reflect Victorian societal issues along with elements of mystery, justice, and rationalism. Observation and Deductive Reasoning As we all know observation and deductive reasoning are at the center of the Sherlock Holmes series. However, in this book in particular as the author dedicates an entire chapter to the science of deduction. Holmes is famous for his deductive reasoning, however, his character is based on Doyle's real life mentor and surgeon, Joseph Bell. The novel often highlights the difference between jumping to conclusions and taking the time to reach the correct conclusion. For example, the detective incorrectly assumes "Rache" is part of Rachel, when in fact it is German for "Revenge." Injustice The second half of the novel takes place in Utah in the land of the Mormons. The main character, Lucy, is forced to marry a Mormon man. The man is later murdered in London and is the focus of Holmes investigation. Injustices are created when Lucy is forced to marry a man she doesn't love. Another injustice is present when Dribble, the man she married, is murdered. Although the perpetrator, Lucy's true love, probably wouldn't see this as an injustice. Death The novel begins with a murder. However, there is more to the way the novel treats life and death. Holmes is very pragmatic in his treatment of death, it is a mystery to be solved but not mourned. Jefferson Hope, Lucy's true love, on the other hand is blinded by revenge because he loved Lucy so much. His treatment of death is a pure encompassing emotion. As we experience death in our lives, we could either be like Holmes or Hope. We are like Holmes when we listen to true crime podcasts and like hope when our child or loved one dies. Hopefully, minus the feelings of revenge. What was Life Like?
Theft was by far the most prevalent crime. Children were pickpocketing, women were stealing from shops, teens formed gangs to rob men on the streets. Mugging was a favorite method, sometimes handkerchief was dipped in chloroform to subdue a victem. Sometimes men were lured to the docs by prostitutes only to be robbed by an waiting assailant. Crime only worsened when guns became available to the mainstream public in 1880. Sometime punishment for the crimes committed was worse than the crime itself. Watch the video below to find out happened to those who were caught redhanded. “How Safe Was Victorian London?,” accessed March 7, 2024, https://victorianweb.org/victorian/history/crime/banerjee1.html. A Recipe: Rice Pudding A Rice Pudding. One quarter of a pound rice, a stick of cinnamon, [add] to a quart of milk (stirred often to keep from burning) and boil quick, cool and add half a nutmeg, 4 spoons rose-water, 8 eggs; butter or puff paste a dish and pour the above composition into it, and bake one and half hour. “Historic Recipes: The Pioneer Era,” accessed March 8, 2024, //history.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/historic-recipes-the-pioneer-era.
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