Characters (The Sign of Four)
This section explores the key character in the novel The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. By understanding the key characters and their roles within the plot, you can better appreciate how Conan Doyle crafts both a compelling mystery and a broader commentary on Victorian society.
Key Characters
Sherlock Holmes
Role: The brilliant detective at the heart of the story.
Sherlock Holmes’ Character Traits:
Holmes is portrayed as highly intelligent, logical, and methodical. His unparalleled deductive reasoning allows him to solve the most complex cases.
He is unemotional and detached, focusing solely on facts and evidence rather than personal feelings.
Holmes also displays eccentric behaviour, such as his use of cocaine, which he resorts to when bored by the lack of challenging cases. This hints at a restless nature and perhaps a deeper dissatisfaction with ordinary life.
His relationship with Dr Watson reflects a deep mutual respect, though Holmes can come across as dismissive of Watson’s capabilities.
Quotes:
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
"My mind rebels at stagnation."
Dr John Watson
Role: Holmes’ loyal friend and companion, the narrator of the novel.
Dr John Watson’s Character Traits:
Watson serves as the reader’s point of view, often acting as a contrast to Holmes. While he admires Holmes’ abilities, he represents the more emotional and human side of the duo.
He is a former army doctor, brave and honourable, though he often underestimates his own intelligence compared to Holmes.
Watson’s developing romantic feelings for Mary Morstan demonstrate his capacity for emotion and personal connection, in stark contrast to Holmes’ detached demeanour.
Throughout the novel, Watson’s respect and admiration for Holmes deepen, though he sometimes struggles with Holmes' impersonal and calculating nature.
Quotes:
"You really are an automaton — a calculating machine!"
"I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain."
Mary Morstan
Role: The client who brings the mystery to Holmes and Watson, and Watson’s love interest.
Mary Morstan’s Character Traits:
Mary is portrayed as gentle, kind, and dignified, handling the strange events surrounding her father’s disappearance with calmness and composure.
She demonstrates inner strength and resilience, though she is not heavily involved in the action of the plot.
Her romantic involvement with Watson provides an emotional subplot that contrasts with the mystery and the clinical detective work of Holmes.
Quotes:
“I have led a retired life, and have no friends whom I could appeal to.”
Jonathan Small
Role: The antagonist of the novel and the man behind the treasure theft.
Jonathan Small’s Character Traits:
Jonathan Small is driven by greed and revenge, though he is portrayed with a degree of complexity. His motivations are shaped by his time in India and his betrayal at the hands of those he trusted.
He is bitter and angry at the injustice he perceives in his life, particularly after losing his leg and the treasure he believes is rightfully his.
Small, however, has a moral code of sorts, as he does not kill unless necessary, and he expresses regret for some of his actions.
Quotes:
"I cannot bear to feel that I have paid this price only that another may enjoy it!"
“It was my treasure, and if I can’t have the loot I’ll take darned good care that no one else does.”
Athelney Jones
Role: The official police detective in charge of the case.
Athelney Jones’s Character Traits:
Athelney Jones represents the traditional and often bumbling image of the police, in contrast to Holmes’ superior intellect and methods.
Initially, Jones is arrogant and confident in his own abilities, but he quickly realises the superiority of Holmes’ approach and ends up relying on him to solve the case.
His character adds a layer of comic relief, as his initial conclusions are often wildly incorrect, but he is also humble enough to seek Holmes’ help.
Quotes:
“I am weaving my web round Thaddeus Sholto.”
"Mr Holmes, the theorist. Now that we have him, we shall get all the facts."
Tonga
Role: A minor character but significant as Jonathan Small’s accomplice.
Tonga’s Character Traits:
Tonga is a native of the Andaman Islands and is depicted in a stereotypically negative and racist manner, reflecting the colonial attitudes of the time. He is shown as fiercely loyal to Jonathan Small, even to the point of violence.
Tonga is described as savage and primitive, which reinforces the era’s prejudices, though these portrayals should be viewed critically in the modern context.
His primary role in the plot is as a helper in Small’s escape attempts and the murder of Bartholomew Sholto.
Quotes:
Descriptions in the text focus more on his physical appearance and actions rather than giving him direct speech, further reducing him to a caricature of the ‘foreign other.’
Thaddeus Sholto
Role: The son of Major Sholto and one of the figures in the treasure conspiracy.
Thaddeus Sholto’s Character Traits:
Thaddeus is nervous, eccentric, and sensitive, in stark contrast to his brother Bartholomew. He is portrayed as anxious, likely due to his guilt over his father’s role in the treasure theft.
He is genuinely helpful to Mary Morstan, feeling a sense of responsibility for her situation, and is instrumental in connecting her with Holmes.
Despite his odd manner, Thaddeus is not malevolent, and his intentions are generally honourable.
Quotes:
“I had only one idea, which was to get the treasure and to lay it at the feet of my dear Miss Morstan.”
Themes Linked to Characters
Rationality vs Emotion: Holmes’ logical mind contrasts with Watson’s emotional responses, reflecting the theme of reason versus human feeling.
Colonialism and Empire: Characters like Jonathan Small and Tonga reflect the novel’s engagement with the British Empire, particularly the darker aspects of colonial exploitation.
Justice and Revenge: Jonathan Small’s pursuit of the treasure highlights the blurred line between seeking justice and vengeance.
Class and Wealth: The quest for the Agra treasure drives much of the plot, exploring the impact of wealth on individuals’ lives and the corruption that can accompany it.
By understanding the key characters and their roles within the plot, you can better appreciate how Conan Doyle crafts both a compelling mystery and a broader commentary on Victorian society.
