Even though the readers are given the chance to solve the crime by themselves, they only see evidence through Watson’s eyes. This means that some crucial facts may be missed. It is up to Holmes, as the star of the story, to solve the near impossible crime. Holmes is an eccentric genius with a method of tying up loose ends which would appeal to the Victorians’ sense of neatness. The scientific methods of crime solving and amazing displays of logic would astound and impress a Victorian audience. Holmes is a nineteenth century superhero. He is on a mission to clear human confusion and ease suffering. Whereas we relate to and sympathise with Watson, we admire Holmes. The very fact that Holmes was an amateur detective rather than a police officer would have delighted a Victorian audience and encouraged them to admire him even more - they did not like the recently created police force.
The characters of Holmes and Watson by themselves would not have provided enough to make an effective detective fiction storyline. It is only through their friendship that the balance is achieved. Holmes appeals to the Victorians but would never be viewed as a normal person; he is too precise and intelligent. Instead, Watson, as an assistant, is more of a character the readers could relate to. The juxtaposition of these two very different characters joined by friendship would appeal to both a Victorian and Modern audience. Sentimental Victorians would have appreciated the gentle friendship that the pair shared. However, this was not an original idea. Edgar Allen Poe’s book “Tales of Ratiocination“ had used the detective Dupin and his assistant in a very similar method to Doyle’s Holmes and Watson.
Victorians had very set views on the roles of men and women. “The man’s power is active, progressive, defensive. He is eminently the doer, the creator, the discoverer, the defender”. (John Ruskin, from “Sesame and Lilies”). Doyle’s main male characters, Holmes, Watson and Dr Roylott, are all powerful and active. Holmes and Watson are defenders helping Miss Stoner. Contrastingly Dr Roylott showed men’s power through his strength. He is punished at the end of the tale. One could argue that this is because he does not completely adhere to the expectations of his sex: he is too violent and does not protect or defend Miss Stoner. Holmes’ intellect is “for speculation and invention”, (Ruskin). Holmes’ intelligence and powers of deduction would have been viewed as perfectly suited to a male hero by a Victorian readership. The only female character, Miss Roylott, also fits the Victorian stereotypes. She is weaker than the men and needs to be protected: “he guards the woman from all this”, (Ruskin). Whereas Victorian readers would have approved of Miss Stoner’s behaviour, a reader in two thousand and three with a feminist agenda would not have viewed the actions favourably. Holmes and Watson are charged with the task of her protection. The stereotypical characters would appeal to a Victorian audience who expected that kind of behaviour.
The plot of “The Speckled Band” was designed in a particular format to appeal to a Victorian audience. Throughout the story Doyle builds up tension. From the distraught Miss Roylott, through to the night spent in the Roylott house, both danger and suspense are introduced. The Victorians would have liked this - it was an accomplishment of the new detective fiction genre: using evil and horror to engage and sustain the readers interest. The exotic animals from around the house and the gypsies staying in the grounds help to make the whole tale extraordinary. This would have appealed to the Victorians because they had very little information about foreign animals and would have led a very protected life. Much of the information found in “The Speckled Band” would be new to them. The tale provided them with an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the foreign, unfamiliar and dangerous.
W H Auden outlined what he believed was a standard detective fiction plot, “a murder occurs; many are suspected; all but one suspect, who is the murderer, are eliminated; the murderer is arrested or dies”. Doyle’s ”The Speckled Band” fits this format almost perfectly. The introduction, when a murder should occur, involves a woman, Miss Stoner, with her sister recently murdered, fearing for her own life. This fits perfectly with Auden’s idea. Many potential suspects are included in the complication; the animals, gypsies and Dr Roylott. All of these have both opportunity and reason to have committed the murder. In Auden’s plan all the suspects, apart from the murderer, should now be eliminated. However, this is where, “The Speckled Band” differs slightly from the standard. Even though it is made clear that it is unlikely the animals attacked or the gypsies murdered Miss Roylott, by showing the doors and windows were well closed, “and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shutter open.” Holmes still has not completely excluded these suspects. The end, in which the murderer should be arrested or dies, is also included in “The Speckled Band” when Dr Roylott’s scheme backfires, killing him. The story also fits in with the standard opening, complication, climax, resolution pattern. The introduction, suspects, stake out and death fit these slots. Victorians would have appreciated such a neat, orderly structure.
Doyle ends the story in such a way as to provide a satisfying conclusion. All loose ends are tied up and the murderer is caught. The neat ending would have appealed to the Victorians’ sense of order but there is also an unmistakeable moral message. The way in which Dr. Roylott is caught shows Doyle’s own views coming forward. Doyle obviously believes in adhering to law and never resorting to violence. This is also shown by the line: “Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent”. This message of good triumphing over evil is found in all of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Even though the stories may include topics that are foreign or dangerous to a Victorian audience, the righteous ending would make them feel justified in reading them.
Doyle adds to the tension of “The Speckled Band” through his use of locations and the weather. The Roylott house would have seemed, to Victorians, to be the perfect location for a murder. The house is large, old and in need of repair work. This would make it seem spooky and more sinister. The weather also adds to this effect. Before Holmes and Watson arrive the weather is calm and warm, “…there was a strange contrast between the sweet promise of spring and this sinister quest upon which we were engaged”. This helps to build up an anticipation of troubles yet to come. When it comes for the time for the duo to begin the stake out, the weather reflects their mood, “… on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in our faces … the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand”. The darkness and even the chill wind are often used to symbolise evil or a menace and help to build up a sense of impending danger.
In conclusion I believe that even though Doyle wrote “The Adventures Of The Speckled Band” with Victorian views and preferences in mind he did not let it completely change his writing style. This is revealed by the fact that even today, years after the stories were written, they still appeal to the contemporary audience. The friendship between Holmes and Watson, the logical deductions and the triumph of good over evil still appeal in modern day. There are few things, such as the reliance on men of Miss Stoner, which do not fit in with modern society and views.
