Welcome to the comprehensive Question Bank for "The Sign of Four" by Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. This post provides detailed answers to all the important questions, character sketches, themes, and plot points essential for the Class 12 Maharashtra Board English exam.
- Themes & Central Idea
- Character Sketches (Holmes, Watson, Mary)
- Important Locations & Settings
- Key Incidents in the Extract
1. Themes & Central Idea
Answer: The theme of the extract revolves round the mystery of the disappearance of Mary Morstan's father, the receipt of expensive pearls by Mary and the mysterious letter received by her. It also involves the journey of Holmes, Watson and Mary Morstan to a strange house to meet the writer of the mysterious letter. The theme of the novel revolves around the Agra treasure. The novel The sign of Four emphasises a number of themes. But justice is the overarching theme that permeates the entire book.
Answer: The central idea is the meeting of Mary Morstan with Holmes and Watson, and her explanation of her problems. It is also about the short trip made by the three to meet the writer of the mysterious letter. This is Watson's first meeting with Miss Morstan and his attraction towards her.
2. Character Sketches & Comparisons
Holmes is a professional detective. He has exceptional powers of observation and deduction. He analyses the cases rationally and logically. He doesn't show emotions and takes interest in the facts only. He is intelligent, sharp, accurate, methodical and fearless. In Dr. Watson's opinion, Holmes is an automaton a calculating machine which makes him positively inhuman. For Sherlock Holmes, a client is a mere unit - a factor in a problem. Sherlock 's way of working is very practical and judgemental.
Dr. Watson is the narrator of the story. He is a doctor by profession and has a background as a surgeon in the British army. Watson aids Holmes thought out the story though it cannot be denied that major break throughs in the case are always the result of Holme's brilliance. He is Holmes' closest friend as well as his assistant. Watson is an empathetic man, who understands emotions and situations on a level that Holmes fails to understand. 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. Dr Watson's approach in handling the case is emotional.
From Dr. Watson's point of view: When he first saw Mary, she was dressed simply but tastefully. He could see that she was a person of limited means. Her expression was sweet and pleasant, and he could make out that her nature was refined and sensitive. He calculated that she was about 27 years old. She was agitated by the mystery surrounding her life. Watson found her attractive, though her face did not have regular features or a beautiful complexion. Her eyes showed that she was a sympathetic person. Watson was much impressed by her and attracted to her.
3. Important Locations & Settings
- London: The case starts here with Mary Morstan meeting Holmes at his place in London. They go to meet Thaddeus Sholto in London. They also chase Jonathan Small and Tonga in London. Conan Doyle depicts London as a mysterious and sinister setting through vivid descriptions of fog, dreary weather, and eerie atmospheres.
- Lyceum Theatre: This is the place near which the writer of the anonymous letter told Mary Morstan to reach if she wished to get justice.
- Holmes' residence (221B Baker Street): It serves as the central hub for the investigation, where crucial meetings and deductions occur.
- The Unknown Destination: Miss Morstan, Holmes and Dr. Watson reached a questionable and forbidding neighbourhood. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. The house at which they stopped was dark except a single glimmer in the kitchen window.
Q. Basically the setting of the extract is in London but it has some references of India too. Explain.
Answer: The setting of the extract is in London, where Mary meets Holmes and Watson to explain her problem. She talks about her father being an officer in an Indian regiment. Major Sholto was also from the 34th Bombay Infantry. Mary shows Holmes a piece of paper belonging to her father. The paper was of Indian origin, and three of the names written on it were also Indian. Jonathan Small was sent to the Andaman Islands, where Major Sholto and Captain Morstan were prison guards. At the end of the extract, the door of the anonymous letter writer's house was opened by an Indian servant. Thus, we have a mingling of incidents both in London as well as in India, where the case had its roots.
4. Key Incidents in the Extract
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Narrate the case of Miss Morstan in your word. | Mary Morstan's case was strange, inexplicable and mysterious, Her father had mysteriously disappeared from Langham Hotel, London on 3rd Dec, 1878. Four years later, there was an advertisement in 'The Times' asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan. After that she received an expensive similar pearl every year on the same date from an unknown sender. But after six years there was a letter along with the pearl. She was invited at Lyceum Theatre. The letter stated that she was wronged and shall have justice. |
| The paper found in the desk of Captain Morstan is the center of action. Explain. | The words, 'The Sign of Four, Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, Dost Akbar' were written on the paper. After examining the paper, Holmes declares the matter to be deeper and more complicated than he had initially thought. The paper, in fact, told the location of the hidden treasure that Jonathan Small and his three conspirators had hidden in the Agra Fort. 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 time when the title "the sign of four' is introduced to the story. |
| Describe the contrast in the initial reactions of Watson and Holmes towards Mary. | Watson is instantly attracted towards Mary. He tries to impress her and watches her from the window when she leaves the house. He tells Holmes excitedly that she is a very attractive woman. Holmes, on the contrary, says in an inhuman manner that he had not noticed this trait of hers; a client is merely a client to him. |
| Watson wanted to impress and help Miss Morstan. Give two instances. | When she starts to explain her case to Holmes, Watson feels that his presence would be embarrassing and asks to be excused. In the second case, when they were on their way to meet the writer of the letter, Watson tries to cheer and amuse Miss Morstan and take her mind off her troubles. |
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