Historical Context (The Sign of Four)
This section explores the historical context of the novel The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Sign of Four was published in 1890, during the late Victorian era. Understanding the historical context of the novel helps to better appreciate its themes, characters, and setting. Below are key aspects of the historical background that influence the novel.
The British Empire and Colonialism
During the 19th century, Britain was at the height of its empire, with colonies across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. The novel reflects this imperial context, particularly in its references to India and the Andaman Islands.
The Agra treasure, central to the plot, originates in India, symbolising both the wealth Britain extracted from its colonies and the moral complications associated with colonialism.
Jonathan Small’s backstory, including his involvement in India and the rebellion, highlights the tensions and conflicts that arose from Britain’s rule over India. The novel subtly critiques the consequences of colonial greed and exploitation.
Attitudes Towards Race and "The Other"
Victorian society had racial prejudices, and these are evident in the portrayal of non-British characters in the novel.
Tonga, the native islander from the Andaman Islands, is depicted as barbaric and savage, reflecting the racist stereotypes of the time. His portrayal as a violent, almost animalistic figure represents Victorian fears and misunderstandings of other races and cultures.
The novel reflects the imperialist idea of "the white man’s burden," the belief that it was Britain’s duty to civilise supposedly inferior peoples in its colonies.
Class and Social Divisions
Victorian England was highly stratified, with clear divisions between the upper, middle, and working classes. The Sign of Four illustrates these class distinctions. The Victorian upper classes held a deeply ingrained view that they were superior to the working classes.
Holmes and Watson, although middle-class professionals, move between different social strata. Watson represents a typical middle-class gentleman, while Holmes, despite his brilliance, lives a somewhat unconventional life, detached from society’s expectations.
The Sholto family, with their inheritance of the treasure, represents the upper class, while Jonathan Small, a former soldier turned criminal, symbolises the working class. His frustration at being wronged reflects the resentment felt by many lower-class individuals who were exploited or treated unfairly.
Crime and Policing in Victorian London
Victorian London was a growing metropolis, and with its expansion came a rise in crime. Doyle’s portrayal of Holmes reflects both society’s fascination with crime and its need for figures of justice.
The police force in the novel, represented by Inspector Athelney Jones, is often depicted as inefficient and bungling. Holmes, the “consulting detective,” fills the gap left by official law enforcement, reflecting the public’s mistrust of the police at the time.
The rise of detective fiction in this period reflects the increasing interest in scientific methods for solving crime. Holmes’ use of forensic science, observation, and deduction mirrors the growing use of such methods in real-life policing.
Victorian Values: Rationality and Science
The late 19th century was an era of scientific progress and discovery. Holmes, with his focus on logic, rationality, and the scientific method, embodies the Victorian belief in the power of reason to solve human problems.
The novel contrasts Holmes’ rationalism with the emotional and irrational behaviour of other characters, particularly those driven by greed or revenge.
Holmes also represents the rise of secularism in Victorian society. His dispassionate, logical approach to life distances him from traditional religious values, reflecting a shift towards scientific thinking and away from religious belief.
Victorian Gender Roles and the Role of Women
Women in The Sign of Four are portrayed according to Victorian ideals of femininity. Mary Morstan, the main female character, is depicted as passive, virtuous, and in need of protection, reflecting the traditional view of women as subordinate to men.
Victorian women were expected to be domestic, emotional, and morally upright. Mary embodies these characteristics, and her potential romance with Watson reinforces the Victorian ideal of marriage as a woman’s ultimate goal.
Holmes’ suspicion of women, as seen in his frequent comments about their unreliability, reflects the broader Victorian anxieties about the role of women in society, especially as women began to seek more independence during the late 19th century.
The Role of the Army and Soldiers
Many of the characters, including Jonathan Small, Major Sholto, and Captain Morstan, are ex-soldiers, reflecting the prominence of the military in British society at the time.
The British Army was instrumental in maintaining control over the empire, and soldiers like Small had direct experience of colonial conflict and violence. Small’s story reflects the complex and often tragic fates of soldiers who served the empire but were often left without reward or recognition.
The military background of several characters adds to the sense of adventure in the novel, with the treasure-hunting and colonial settings reminiscent of the Victorian fascination with exploration and exoticism.
Urbanisation and Industrialisation
The novel is set in London, a city undergoing rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in the 19th century. London’s bustling, foggy streets provide the perfect setting for a detective story.
Holmes' Baker Street residence symbolises the growing middle-class urban professional, while the chaotic nature of London, with its dark alleyways and criminal underworld, reflects the challenges of modern, industrial life.
The River Thames, central to the climax of the story, was both a symbol of Britain’s industrial power and a place associated with crime and poverty, showing the contrast between wealth and squalor in Victorian society.
Victorian Morality and the Concept of Justice
Victorian society placed a high value on morality, which was often linked to Christian values and notions of justice. However, The Sign of Four explores more ambiguous ideas of justice.
Jonathan Small’s quest for revenge is a form of personal justice, while Holmes' pursuit of criminals is based on a more rational, lawful approach. The novel questions whether true justice can always be achieved, particularly in a world where colonial exploitation and personal greed often go unpunished.
The legal system is also shown to be flawed, as characters like Small are condemned not necessarily for moral reasons, but because of the inequalities of the empire and the law.
Victorian Sensationalism and the Rise of Detective Fiction
The Sign of Four was published during a time when detective fiction was becoming increasingly popular, feeding the public's fascination with sensational crimes and the figure of the detective.
Readers were captivated by stories that mixed mystery, adventure, and crime, often with exotic settings. The novel’s combination of thrilling events, such as the boat chase and the discovery of the treasure, with the cerebral character of Holmes, helped define the detective genre.
The sensational elements, including the portrayal of Tonga and the Indian Mutiny, play into the public’s fascination with the strange and the unknown, which was a hallmark of Victorian popular literature.
Understanding the historical context of The Sign of Four provides valuable insight into the novel's themes, characters, and societal commentary. Doyle's work reflects the complexities of Victorian England, from its colonial ambitions and class tensions to its moral values and fascination with crime and justice.
