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The Adventure of the Speckled Band is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. This story follows Sherlock Holmes and his associate Dr. Watson. The two detectives are on the case of Helen Stoner, whose twin sister was murdered by their own stepfather, Dr. Grimesby Roylott. Her sister, Julia was engaged and to be married soon, and all the money their deceased mother left them was to go to the girl’s husbands once they married. Now Helen is engaged and to keep the same from happening to her she seeks help from Holmes and Watson. In the story it seems that greed can best of people and cause them to take extreme measures.
In the story the murder carried out is vicious and strange. With Julia’s wedding approaching Roylott knew he had to strike quickly. For he knew and feared that when she got married he would be left penniless. His stepdaughters are the only family has left so it seems quite ironic that he would do such things to harm his only family he has. The stepfather doesn’t carry out the murder himself though, he trains a dangerous and loathsome serpent called a speckled band to do it for him.
Although the theme could be interpreted as Don’t be Afraid to Seek Help, I feel that the author clearly shows That Greed Could Get the Best of People. We learn a lot about Roylott and that fact that he has a large and uncontrollable temper. Doyle writes, “he was a man of immense strength and uncontrollable anger.” He seems to be a very irrational and unstable man. Helen also describes some odd behaviors of her father after their mother died, “he shut himself up in his house and seldom came out… to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path.” Helen also seems fearful of her stepfather, once she finds out he has traced her location. Holmes notices a sudden change in behavior. “... her face all drawn and grey with frightened and restless eyes, like those of some hunted animal.” It seems that Roylott can be a very violent man, surely capable of murder.
When Holmes is questioning Helen about her stepfather Helen seems to hold back information. “ Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that lay… Five little livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist.” Holmes then tells her, “You have been cruelly used.” The stepfather have beaten Helen and left very deep bruises all over her wrist. This again proves he is aggressive man and doesn’t seem to care about Helen.
Overall, I feel the author clearly shows the theme Greed Can Get the Best of People through the stepfathers actions and Helen’s feelings towards him.
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
ReplyDeleteThe Adventure of the Speckled Band is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle. This story follows Sherlock Holmes and his associate Dr. Watson. The two detectives are on the case of Helen Stoner, whose twin sister was murdered by their own stepfather, Dr. Grimesby Roylott. Her sister, Julia was engaged and to be married soon, and all the money their deceased mother left them was to go to the girl’s husbands once they married. Now Helen is engaged and to keep the same from happening to her she seeks help from Holmes and Watson. In the story it seems that greed can best of people and cause them to take extreme measures.
In the story the murder carried out is vicious and strange. With Julia’s wedding approaching Roylott knew he had to strike quickly. For he knew and feared that when she got married he would be left penniless. His stepdaughters are the only family has left so it seems quite ironic that he would do such things to harm his only family he has. The stepfather doesn’t carry out the murder himself though, he trains a dangerous and loathsome serpent called a speckled band to do it for him.
Although the theme could be interpreted as Don’t be Afraid to Seek Help, I feel that the author clearly shows That Greed Could Get the Best of People. We learn a lot about Roylott and that fact that he has a large and uncontrollable temper. Doyle writes, “he was a man of immense strength and uncontrollable anger.” He seems to be a very irrational and unstable man. Helen also describes some odd behaviors of her father after their mother died, “he shut himself up in his house and seldom came out… to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path.” Helen also seems fearful of her stepfather, once she finds out he has traced her location. Holmes notices a sudden change in behavior. “... her face all drawn and grey with frightened and restless eyes, like those of some hunted animal.” It seems that Roylott can be a very violent man, surely capable of murder.
When Holmes is questioning Helen about her stepfather Helen seems to hold back information. “ Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that lay… Five little livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist.” Holmes then tells her, “You have been cruelly used.” The stepfather have beaten Helen and left very deep bruises all over her wrist. This again proves he is aggressive man and doesn’t seem to care about Helen.
Overall, I feel the author clearly shows the theme Greed Can Get the Best of People through the stepfathers actions and Helen’s feelings towards him.