To provide more detail on the character of Roylott before he is directly introduced Helen describes the story of Roylott’s return to England. She tells how not long after her mothers death Roylott changed ‘but a terrible change came over our stepfather’ the use of the word ‘terrible’ emphasises that the change in Roylott was for the worse, it also implies that he has got worse since returning from India, which leaves the reader wondering what things could he do worse than beating a butler to death. This creates tension towards the character of Roylott as the reader is uncertain of him; this is intensified by the fact that he has not even been directly introduced yet. Helen describes how it became common place for Roylott to quarrel and fight with the villagers and anyone bothering him. Helen describes a time when ‘he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream’ this particular incident is an example of how Doyle wants Roylott to be perceived as he has lost his temper and is involved in violence, which presents his character as even more violent and aggressive. It is also mentioned the he was fighting a blacksmith which are stereotypically large men as is required by their work, this association makes the reader think of Roylott as a strong and intimidating person as he is able to handle himself well. This association is an example of how Doyle presents the character, more specifically the behaviour and the kind of person he has become Dr Roylott has become.
When after Helen’s mother died she set an allowance for Dr Roylott so that he would be able to take care of her children, but in the even that one of them should marry part of the allowance would go to them instead of Dr Roylott, this provides the motive for Dr Roylott and once the connection is made that the sister whom was to be married suddenly died unexplainably a great deal of doubt is put on the character of Roylott. Helen describes the weather on the night of Julia’s death as ‘wild’ and ‘the wind was howling’ this description could be significant as it reflects on the dramatic events to come that night and possibly it reflects on the character of Dr Roylott suggesting foul play.
Despite the development of Dr Roylott as an intimidating and villainous character when Holmes is presented with aggressive actions from Roylott he remains calm and does not respond to the provocative behaviour directly ‘it is a little cold for the time of year’ this indirect response to Roylott antagonises him causing him to lose his temper showing the characters irritable and short tempered state of being.
Throughout the story we are presented the idea by Doyle that Roylott is a killer. This is done using different methods for example when Helen tells Holmes about Roylott a motive to do with money is suggested, this is not proven at first but implies that his character is avaricious and ruthless when it comes to satisfying his greed. Doyle also suggest the ruthless nature of Roylott when he threatens Holmes ’see that you keep yourself out of my grip’ this threat suggests the cold-blooded nature of Roylott and is an example of how Doyle presents him in this way.
Explain how effectively Doyle presents the character of Roylott.
Conan Doyle presents the character of Dr Roylott with many different methods however most all portray him as a villainous and loathsome character. A less obvious point Doyle may be associating his character with is the fact that his title is ‘Dr’ this is out of place as doctors are usually respectful members of society and being a murderous mad man is not what would be expected of a doctor. This is one way Doyle presents the character of Roylott being an irregular character. Because of small points like this that Doyle makes I believe that Doyle effectively presents the character of Dr Roylott.
