The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle [PDF]
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Arthur Conan Doyle published The Sign of the Four in 1890, and it became the book that truly launched Sherlock Holmes into literary fame. It is the novel where Holmes, Watson, and the art of deduction clicked into place for millions of readers. A locked-room mystery, a stolen treasure, and a chase on the Thames, all packed into a tight, gripping narrative.
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If you enjoy detective fiction or want to explore one of the foundational stories of the genre, The Sign of the Four is a perfect starting point. Conan Doyle's writing is sharp, fast, and surprisingly modern. Give it a try and see why this novel still captivates readers over a century later.
The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Information: The Sign of the Four
- Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Publication Date: 1890
- Main Characters:
- Sherlock Holmes: The brilliant consulting detective known for his razor-sharp deductive reasoning and eccentric habits, including his controversial use of cocaine.
- Dr. John Watson: Holmes's loyal companion and narrator, a former army surgeon who falls in love with Mary Morstan during the case.
- Mary Morstan: The young woman who brings the case to Holmes. She is brave, composed, and becomes Watson's love interest.
- Jonathan Small: A one-legged ex-soldier who made a pact in India to share a stolen treasure, and whose pursuit of it drives the entire plot.
- Thaddeus Sholto: The nervous, eccentric son of a British officer involved in the original theft, who tries to make things right by contacting Mary.
- Brief Summary: The Sign of the Four follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they help Mary Morstan solve the mystery of her father's disappearance and the anonymous pearls she receives each year. The investigation leads them to a hidden treasure linked to a pact forged during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Along the way, Holmes demonstrates his legendary deductive abilities while Watson finds himself falling for their client. The story builds to a dramatic boat chase on the River Thames that resolves the case in unexpected fashion.
- Thematic Analysis: The novel explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the consequences of colonial exploitation. Conan Doyle contrasts the orderly world of Holmes's logic with the chaos that stolen wealth brings into people's lives. Justice, both legal and moral, sits at the center of the narrative.
- Historical Context: Published in 1890, The Sign of the Four reflects the British Empire at its peak, with direct references to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the Andaman Islands. Conan Doyle tapped into Victorian anxieties about the empire's reach and the secrets soldiers brought home. The novel appeared in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine alongside Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, making it a landmark issue in literary history.
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