The Speckled Band Essays

The Speckled Band Essays The Speckled Band Essay The Speckled Band Essay The main differences are that theyre completely different plots, character and situations. There is also a difference in the way the story is structured the exposition for example in The Dancing Men it goes straight into the story but in The Speckled Band Watson starts off with the review of the case he was working on. The complication in all three stories has many similarities and differences. There are many similarities I have notified in the complication of these stories, one of which was Holmes is always approached by the client for example in The Speckled Band -Helen Stoner approaches Holmes about the sudden death of her sister. A Scandal In Bohemia the king of Bohemia is being blackmailed and so he approaches Holmes for help. The Dancing Men- Hilton Cubitt approaches Holmes for help because he is being sent childish drawings of dancing men. In all three stories the clients seem to be scared and frightened. Another similarity I notified is that in two of the stories Holmes is sent letters The Dancing Men-childish drawings, A Scandal In Bohemia the king sends Holmes a letter for help. The clients later approach Holmes. However, in The Speckled Band the client has telephoned Holmes, no letter has been sent. This emphasizes a difference. In all three stories the client explains the history behind their current problem with brief interjections usually in question form from Holmes. This emphasizing that Holmes is a good listener. Although Watson is relating the stories to us the problems are conveyed by the client through explanatory dialogue. Another similarity is that all the clients seem to be wealthy, landed or well known. The manor house is portrayed as a suspicious, dark, threatening house, by the use of Conan Doyles simile two curving wings like those of a crab. Crabs claws are strong and they have the potential to harm. Therefore the simile used implies that Stoke Moran is a dubious, shady house, situated in the middle of nowhere, with darkness surrounding it. The late at night and early morning setting of the discovery of the secret, adds to the suspense for the reader. All was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Through the darkness, things can come out of hidden places and alarm people in the area. For example, while Sherlock Holmes and Watson are walking on Manor House grounds, a hideous and distorted child surprises them, and the reader, by jolting out of the bushes. The reader is intrigued to find out what this distorted child is, and within a few minutes of meeting this creature, the reader is reminded that roaming the ground is a Baboon. Conan Doyles technique of using darkness throughout The Speckled Band creates tension, and this appears to the readers senses. The imagery of the distorted child affects the readers sight, as they become more aware of their surroundings. The cat-like whine appears the readers sound sense, as the reader can hear things, but they cannot see them, and this would make the reader nervous. Therefore they are encouraged to read further on. The things, such as chill wind, affect the readers touch sense. The blustery weather builds more suspense as it implies the image of a cold, dark, windy night. Almost as though something bad is about to happen. All of the senses are appealed to, and therefore the readers are able to feel more involved and believe they are included in the mystery.