The opening of the story is typical for a detective story as the crime has already been committed and it begins by just getting the reader to learn about the crime and who was involved.
Next in story we learn about the proposed villain, who he is in more detail and what kind of things he has done in his past. We are informed of this by his step-daughter Helen Stoner. She tells of how he got an advance from a relative which enabled him to take up a medical degree in Calcutta where he set up a large practice. However, “In a fit of anger after some robberies in his house, he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sentence.” Mrs Stoner then goes on to describe how “there seems to be now obstacle to our happiness” until a “terrible change” coming over their stepfather. She then describes how he instead of “making friends” with the locals and “exchanging visits with neighbours”, he shut himself away and only came out to indulge in ferocious quarrels with who ever might cross his path” it is known later on in the story that his only friends were a few gypsies who he allowed to set up camp on his bramble hidden remains of his land” People didn’t like gypsies at the time and saw them as a waste of space and unconstructive. “A series of disgraceful brawls” took place, “two of which ended in police court.” He is then described as “a man of immense strength and uncontrollable in his anger” which could perhaps be a typical feature of a villain, She tells of how only “last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream” which suggests his anger had not calmed over the months, possibly because he could be parting with his money if his step-daughter was to marry.
As Doctor Grimesby Roylott makes an unexpected entrance to Holmes office, he is described in many ways. Firstly, “A huge man had framed himself in the aperture” this suggests that he is physically intimidating. “His costume was a peculiar mix of…swinging in his hand”. His height is then emphasised again with the fact that “his hat actually brushed the crossbar of the doorway.” He is also broad, “his breath seemed to span it across from side to side”. His facial appearance is described as “A large face, seared with…gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey. This is appropriate as he is fierce, old and preys on unexpecting and usually innocent victims. Also, earlier on the story Watson describes Miss Stoner as looking like a “hunted animal” which could possibly be a link between her being hunted my Dr Grimesby Roylott.
Dr Grimesby Roylott acts in a very proud manner and doesn’t seem to be phased by anyone or anything. He does not feel overshadowed by Holmes and belittles him as shown by; “You are Holmes the meddler, Holmes the busy body, Holmes the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office”. At the time this would be an insult as the Police were seen as useless.
I think the reader and Holmes thinks he is capable of committing a crime as firstly the size and strength of him enable to easily overpower or extremely hurt some one. He also seems slightly apprehensive that Miss Stoner has been talking to Holmes in case he could possible get found out about something. He also has a motive as if his step-daughters were to marry, he would have to pay our £250 to each of them, and inconveniently one of his step-daughters is shortly to marry. I think he is a stereotypical villain as he is a very big, tall being and is very angered towards Holmes and many other people. In the end Dr Grimesby Roylott succeeds in killing of his daughter by using his deadly Indian snake so he does not have to part with any of his money, however, his plan backfires and the snake turns on its owner and he is the victim of a deadly bite.
In the story Watson describes Holmes as a very well dressed person with good manners and overall follows the role of typical gentlemen. He tells us of Holmes being “a late riser, as a rule”. This suggests Holmes gets his own way no matter what and he is very strong willed.
Holmes behaves very calmly and cautiously when faced with a client, also when he comes under threats from Dr Grimesby Roylott makes an unexpected entry to Holmes office. He also make sure he takes in every minor detail when dealing with a case to help give him the best chance of solving it and not making any mistakes, “You have come by train this morning, I see…whatever your reasons maybe, you are perfectly correct”.
I think the author wants us to see Holmes as a very intelligent and inquisitive person who is very good at his job. He is also very reassuring and comforting as shown by when Helen Stoner is in distress about her situation after telling him what has been happening, “Holmes reached forward out of his chair and stroked Miss Stoners forearm”.
Holmes carries out his investigation carefully by visiting Helen Stoners residence personally and examining every possible cause of the crime. He is also asks lots of questions to make sure everything is clear in his mind and he is sensible and doesn’t want to take any unnecessary risks as he tells Watson to “slip his Revolver into his pocket” as “his life may depend on it.” But this does suggest he his willing to endanger himself to some extent.
Holmes solves the crime by way of elimination until he is satisfied that each possibility was not the cause. Holmes dominates the story as he is the main character and has a very important role as he is the one to be solving the crimes at the end of the day.
Conan Doyle reflects the fact that the Police were not very good in ways of solving the many murders and other crimes that were happening at the time and therefore many people who had the money would turn to private detectives such as the likes of Holmes to get a better chance of the crime being solved.
There are two main settings in the story, Holmes office and Stoke Moran. There seems to be a link between the two main characters in the story and the two main settings.
Holmes office is warm and welcoming, just like him, “Ha! I am glad to see Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire”. This link in called pathetic fallacy, where the mood and the atmosphere compliments the scene. Stoke Moran is unlooked after, rundown and rather abandoned-looking, just like Dr Grimesby Roylott.
In the text itself, these two settings are described. Firstly, Holmes office is welcoming and we can gather this from Holmes himself, who when asked by Watson what is going on, he tells of that there is a young woman waiting for him in the sitting room, this suggests that he has unhesitatingly welcomed her in and allowed her to make herself at home, we also know that he has got up early especially to meet her. Holmes office is warm and welcoming, just like him, this is suggested by “Ha, I am glad Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire”. This link in called pathetic fallacy, where the mood and the atmosphere this suggests Holmes has his own place well organised and he wants the best for his guests. This is back up by “I shall order you a cup of coffee as I observer you are shivering”, which again suggests he wants the best for his clients.
On the other hand, Stoke Moran is described as “the family ruin” and after the past century “nothing was left save a few acres of ground”. It is unlooked after, rundown and rather abandoned-looking, just like Dr Grimesby Roylott.
I think the settings do fit a classic story as one setting seems to be duller and gloomier (Stoke Moran) than the other (Holmes’ Office). This is interesting as the villain and also the crime is situated at Stoke Moran. The atmosphere in Stoke Moran is cautious and apprehensive as is the mood, this fits with the scene as the outside is dark and dreary.
There seems to be a totally different atmosphere of Stoke Moran for different times of the day. When Holmes is travelling there with Watson to examine Stoke Moran, Watson tells of how delightful the surroundings on a lovely sunny day. However, when Holmes and Watson are waiting for the signal to invade Stoke Moran to carry out further investigations they are met with very dark and gloomy surrounding and are very careful to watch their step, especially as they aware of the wild animals roaming free. It is also interesting to see the contrast between travelling to Stoke Moran and arriving there.
The story is put together in chronological order and in terms of when the mystery of the story is being described, which also includes some flashbacks of events from Holmes’ client. The story isn’t too long but is longer than a typical short story as in this one there are lots of events and red herring presented as well such as when it was first thought the gypsies were to blame for the “low whistle” in the dead of night and also because of the fact they were bandanas. These are used to keep the reader involved and also help to create unexpected events later on.
Conan Doyle uses short sentences and victims’ speech to build up tension, e.g. “It is not cold which makes me shiver, It is fear Mr Holmes, it is terror”. He uses long sentences to keep the writing flowing and the reader reading on without stopping to take in all the information.
The story is narrated by Watson who is Holmes side kick, this is interesting as what he is telling us in the story is primary evidence as he is one step behind Holmes all the way, as well as we, the readers are too. We also aren’t in doubt about its reliability even though he does include bias positive comments on his friend, such as “I had no keener pleasure than if following…which were submitted to him”
Conan Doyle prepares the reader for coming events with phrases such as “your life may depend on it”, this make the reader think of towards what will happen later on in the story.
We can tell what time the story was written by picking out some of the language from the text, such as when we learn of Miss Stoner travelling to Holmes office part of the way by a “dog cart”, when nowadays we would travel by car. “She raised her veil as she spoke”, In Victorian times upper class women would tend to wear a veil over their faces.
The story ends with the crime being solved which is good as the reader finds out what happens in the end. Also I think the reader would like the reader and they would feel a sense of justice has been served as Dr Grimesby Roylott has been killed for taking someone else’s life. I think that he deserve what he gets and I think the reader defiantly will to as it seems unfair for him to not get punished for what he has done otherwise.
Conan Doyle ends the story rather unclearly to begin with as Sherlock Holmes states: “It is all over” when at the time it is unclear to what or how is over and it is only in the denouement after the action that what has taken place is finally unravelled.
In the end I think Sherlock Holmes was very professional in how he solved the crime and carried out his investigation thoroughly and carefully to solve the crime. I also don’t think he is really the default cause of Dr Grimesby Roylott’s death as he is probably not worried about the “useless” Police finding him out and he probably feels a sense of justice for himself also.
I think this is a typical detective story as there is a committed crime, a few red herrings to puzzle the reader and throw up unexpected conclusions. I think the story was well put together and that it was clear to recognize the “Hero” and the “Villain” in the story by the way the characters acted, e.g. Holmes warm, welcoming and Dr Grimesby Roylott, fierce, viscous and aggressive.
