Chapters 3-4
We see that Holmes becomes more of a father figure. For example, Holmes began making puzzles for Russell to solve. They've also began playing chess. He even shows her how opium is made. So, Holmes is still a bit of a drug addict.
Holmes has many connections. He's come in contact with "kings, and sewer-men, and ladies of uncertain virtue," (35). He socializes with the upper class and maybe that's why he hates inferior beings.
However, Holmes does view Russell as Russell and not as some female. He would ignore the fact that she is a female. It was her attitudes, her choice of clothing and the shape of her body that protected him from having to acknowledge her nature. Holmes still has the fear of the opposite sex.
Furthermore, Russell attends Oxford University. When she came back for her birthday, she received presents from Watson, Holmes, and Mrs. Hudson. He received a brooch made of silver that was covered by pearls. Inside was a picture of Holmes's grandma who looks just like Russell.
Russell and Holmes finally receive their first case together. Mr. Barker was ill and his wife wanted to find the cause of it. She also thought he was a traitor to England and was sending messages to Germany. Holmes and Russell observed his house at night. They finally catch the criminal who was one of Mr. Barker's servants. However, it was Holmes who really did all the work. He went up onto the roof of Mr. Barker's house and found cigarettes and a slab of wood. He analyzed and even found out that someone was monitoring Mr. Barker's calls through a telephone line. Russell was merely following Holmes.
Next, Russell finds a case that she wants to solve for her friend. But Holmes at first objected to it because he doesn't care for smaller cases. But he gave in and eventually went to the scene of the crime. Holmes has definitely changed because he usually wouldn't give in so easily, but this time it was Russell who urged him to. They even use a dog to trace the ham that was stolen. I don't know why someone would steal hams, but they chase the criminal to a smokehouse and he was holding the box that he stole.
Sorry, if these brief summaries don't really make sense, I didn't feel like summarizing too much.
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2 comments:
More analysis, less summary! How does this version of Holmes fit with the canonical Holmes? What is the author playing with?
Interesting questions Ms. Clapp put forth, Well we can compare Holmes' inital attitude to women where he would rather stay away from them, to now where he has an actual daughter-like figure in his life. Although he treats Russell like a daughter, I still do not beleive he trusts he completly when he is doing the big case, only because she is a woman. We can also compare how easily Holmes is swayed now. Actually, I think the reason why Holmes is so easily swayed is because he finds this as an opportunity to finally test Russell in what he has taught her and what she has learned from him. It's a way for Russell to win her trust over Holmes for the final time.
I also think there is a secret behind the reason why Russell looks so identical to Holmes' grandmother, and their close relationship with eachother...probably foreshadowing a relationship within their bloodline.
And I also wonder if Holmes ever tried to persuade Russell into actually taking drugs, or if Russell ever tried to relieve him from taking drugs.
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