Examine the settings which Arthur Conan Doyle has chosen for his stories in
Examine the settings which Arthur Conan Doyle has chosen for his stories in "The Speckled Band" and "The Man with the Twisted Lip". Consider the effects the writer has created and how they contribute to the atmosphere.
Arthur Conan Doyle's character, Sherlock Holmes, lived in Victorian London during the 19th century. His perception of the streets is portrayed as a dark and isolated environment. The atmosphere was far from welcoming. The streets were overrun with crime, beggars and prostitutes. Through the dense smog, the gas lamps provided feeble lighting which flickered as passer-bys walked on their way. The odour which drifted through the air was vile. This was the result of no sewage system and low levels of hygiene.
In 'The Man with the Twisted Lip', Arthur Conan Doyle begins by describing the home of Watson which is conveyed as a warm, welcoming safe-haven. The Watsons are portrayed as a secure and predictable couple. Their sitting room, described as "cheery", shows the reader that it is a place where all is cosy and peaceful. The reader is shown that Watson is comfortable with the setting of his own home:
"...sat up in my chair"
The use of the word 'my' gives the sense of belonging and ownership to Watson. It also shows he has a stable retreat after returning from work. A symbolic simile is used to describe how approachable Watson's wife is:
"...like birds to a lighthouse."
Light symbolizes tranquility and the reader may be given the idea that Watson's wife promotes this. It also adds to the whole ambience of peacefulness. The St.Clair's home is portrayed in a similar way, and Mrs. St Clair emerges in a "flood of light", which conveys purity and a serene habitat.
In contrast A.C. Doyle creates a dark effect by referring to the desolated streets throughout the story. For instance:
"...a vile alley lurking."
An alley is an uncomfortable place to be in, as it is narrow and claustrophobic. A.C. Doyle reinforces its undesirable presence by describing it as 'vile'. The reader will instantly see that it is a dirty, eerie place where no-one would want to be. It is also personified as 'lurking' which gives it a sense of hidden mystery. Holmes and Watson's journey is prolonged and tiresome as they travel through:
"...the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets"
This description is effective because it makes the reader think of the continuous series of streets ...
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An alley is an uncomfortable place to be in, as it is narrow and claustrophobic. A.C. Doyle reinforces its undesirable presence by describing it as 'vile'. The reader will instantly see that it is a dirty, eerie place where no-one would want to be. It is also personified as 'lurking' which gives it a sense of hidden mystery. Holmes and Watson's journey is prolonged and tiresome as they travel through:
"...the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets"
This description is effective because it makes the reader think of the continuous series of streets which have no definite end and lead to nowhere. The adjective 'sombre' makes the reader think of a dull, dismal space containing emptiness. Everything Watson and Holmes pass along their way appears to be gloomy and depressing:
"another dull wilderness of bricks",
"...a dull wrack.",
"star...twinkled dimly"
Stars are expected to be bright, however here it is described in a contrasting manner. Although it is twinkling, it is still dim. The reader may imagine that these streets are so dismal not even the brightest star could appear as it is.
As the reader is taken to the setting of the opium den, it feels as if they have been lead to an even more discomforting place. The steps lead:
"...down to a black gap"
It is like being transported to a cold and sinister place. The reader is given the feeling of being taken down to hell. They are unaware of what lies beneath, as it could be non-existent or never-ending, considering it is described as a 'black gap'. The simile:
"...like the mouth of a cave"
portrays an entrance to a spooky and unearthly place. The word 'mouth' gives the sense of being swallowed up and lost, which may be the case if someone enters the opium den. Inside the den is clouded with dense "thick and heavy" smoke. It is choking and may make the reader wonder why anyone would want to be there. Another simile is applied to help the reader visualize what the den looks like:
"...with wooden berths, like the forecastle of an emigrant ship."
Using a ship to compare the opium den may show that it is a place that can take you to another location mentally. Not necessarily a good one, as the effects of opium can make someone dazed and unaware of their surroundings. Therefore, the opium den is a place which can transport a person's mental state of mind, hence the ship. The opium itself is mentioned as:
"burning poison, waxed or waned"
Burning is a connotation of hell and makes the reader envisage blazing fire. The reader is aware that it is a harmful substance, when described as a 'poison'. The opium 'waned' can also be said for the atmosphere. It is gradually getting weaker as everyone loses their dignity and state of mind.
The 'Speckled Band' contains few references to safe, positive settings. This may be to give an overall effect of darkness and mystery. Helen Stoner, clearly an unsettled woman, is brought into Holmes' welcoming home to be comforted.
"Good Morning, Madam."
Holmes says this in a "cheery" manner. Because it is in the morning, all should be fresh and ready for a new day. Their home is made to feel cosy as,
"Mrs. Hudson has...good sense to light the fire"
The reader learns that Holmes and Watson are inviting towards needy people and are characters that want to make Helen Stoner feel at home. The fire is warming, and lighting a fire often occurs in the setting of a relaxed family home. The reader may figure that Holmes, Watson and Mrs. Hudson are trying to make Ms. Stoner feel a part of their own little 'family'. They are hospitable and offer her,
"...a cup of hot coffee"
showing that they are trying to warm her up in every possible way, with the concern that she has just arrived from the cold.
Stoke Moran is a well-chosen setting for the murder of Julia Stoner. Conan Doyle describes it as a "two-hundred-year-old house". This is relevant because an old house often gives a sense of mystery and can be eerie. The reader may expect or predict spooky incidents to occur here. The house can also be thought of as depressing:
"grey, lichen-blotched stone"
Grey represents dullness or lack of light and also exaggerates how dingy the house is. The lichen moss is a sign that the house has been abandoned for a long time.
Stoke Moran is not portrayed as a safe place, when Helen Stoner complains that she has "no feeling of security". A house should make you feel protected, especially if it is your own. Instead the reader sees that there is a sense of imprisonment in Stoke Moran. This is also shown with the following quote:
"windows were blocked...with broad iron bars"
This signifies how similar Stoke Moran is to a prison or jail. However, the reader may interpret this in a different way as it has a double meaning. The bars are mentioned as being "secured every night" so they can also be seen as a form of protection. There is no privacy amongst the grounds. The "wandering gypsies" who are left to roam around freely are portrayed as dubious characters. They are depicted in a derogatory manner and described as "vagabonds" left "to encamp". Wild animals such as "a baboon and a cheetah" add to the reader's impression of unwelcome guests intruding upon Helen Stoner's personal space.
Conan Doyle uses the weather as a device to create a sense of foreboding. Prior to the death of Julia, a great storm occurs:
"the rain was beating and splashing"
The word 'beating' paints a violent image in the reader's mind, which is appropriate considering someone is soon to die. This disastrous weather creates an aggressive atmosphere and adds to the suspense.
"wind...howling outside"
Howling wind can be personified as a cry of grief, which links well with the upcoming incident. A similar impact is given before the attempt on Helen's life, whilst Holmes and Watson wait in:
"gathering darkness".
Such imagery suggests a great accumulation of doom, making the reader expect some form of tragedy to arise. An adjective such as 'gathering' highlights how slow and gradual the darkness is taking to fall upon them.
To lighten the miserable atmosphere, Conan Doyle takes the characters on a journey where they travel through an idyllic setting.
"with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds"
This quote represents bright and enhancing scenery. The 'fleecy' clouds are thought of as fluffy and light which lifts the weight from the intense situation. These points may be misleading towards the reader because they have been prepared for something catastrophic to happen. Holmes and Watson are struck by the,
"sweet promise of the spring"
The 'sweet promise' is a symbolism of new life and rejuvenation. However this is contrasted by the "sinister quest" which they embark upon. Also described by Conan Doyle as a "strange contrast".
There are significant contrasts between the settings in both stories. A.C Doyle has created an effect by using themes such as light to symbolize goodness, hope, or peace. In contrast he uses darkness as a connotation of hell or evil. These effects that the writer has created, contribute to the atmosphere by adding tension and suspense. For example, when he refers to dark settings they are usually ominous signs. From these signs, the reader can gather that something dramatic is soon to happen. The techniques used make both stories unpredictable.
Anisah Kee- Scott
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GCSE English Coursework