The Sign of the Four: Themes (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Note

Themes

Exam responses that are led by ideas are more likely to reach the highest levels of the mark scheme. Exploring the ideas of the text, specifically in relation to the question being asked, will help to increase your fluency and assurance in writing about the novella.

Below are some ideas which could be explored in The Sign of the Four. This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to identify other ideas within the novella.

• Justice and crime

• Greed and obsession

• Colonialism

Justice and crime

The theme of justice and crime is explored through the narrative's central mystery and the characters' quest for truth and retribution.

Knowledge and evidence

• The narrative revolves around the disappearance of Captain Arthur Morstan and the ensuing quest to uncover the truth and to bring the perpetrators to justice:

  • Mary is determined to seek justice for her father’s unexplained disappearance and the injustices inflicted on her family

  • Holmes and Watson join Mary in her pursuit for justice, Watson driven by morality; Holmes by intellectual challenge and logic

• The novella underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions by ensuring that the guilty parties are held accountable:

  • Bartholomew’s actions lead to his death, while Thaddeus is wrongly implicated but ultimately cleared

  • Conan-Doyle sees that Bartholomew faces repercussions for his behaviour

• The novella explores the tension between seeking justice through the established legal system and taking matters into one's own hands:

  • Jonathan Small, motivated by a desire for revenge, takes the law into his own hands and becomes a vigilante figure

• The contrast between Small's pursuit of personal justice and Holmes’ commitment to upholding the rule of law highlights the importance of a fair and balanced legal system

• The theme of justice is further explored through the characters' potential for redemption and forgiveness:

  • The character of Jonathan Small, though initially driven by vengeance, ultimately demonstrates remorse and a desire for atonement

  • This suggests that justice can also involve the opportunity for individuals to redeem themselves and find forgiveness

• However, Holmes emphasises the importance of upholding the rule of law and working within the legal system to ensure justice:

  • This juxtaposition highlights the complex nature of justice, where the pursuit of personal vengeance may not always align with the principles of a fair and balanced legal system

• Conan Doyle also uses the theme of justice to go beyond mere punishment:

  • It encompasses the idea of restoring balance and righting the wrongs committed

  • This notion of justice not only satisfies the need for punishment but also provides a sense of resolution and closure for all those affected by the crimes

What is Conan Doyle’s intention?

• Conan Doyle emphasises the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, working within the bounds of the legal system, and seeking to restore balance and closure for the victims

• Through its exploration of justice, the novella delves into the moral obligations of the characters and the broader concept of maintaining a just society

Greed and obsession

Greed and obsession are prevalent themes in the novella. Various characters are motivated by their desires for wealth and power and Conan Doyle emphasises the destructive consequences of unchecked greed.

Knowledge and evidence

• The Agra treasure serves as the catalyst for the theme of greed and obsession in the narrative:

  • The treasure symbolises wealth and power and its allure entices and corrupts individuals

• The characters' obsession with the treasure consumes their lives, distorts their priorities and leads to tragic outcomes

• Jonathan Small possesses an intense desire for wealth and retribution:

  • His obsession with the treasure, and desire for revenge, becomes all-consuming, leading him to commit heinous acts

  • His greed becomes a powerful force that motivates his actions and influences the course of the narrative

• Whilst Small’s greed initially fuels his actions, it ultimately leads to loss and tragic consequences:

  • The pursuit of the stolen treasure drives him and his associates to commit crimes, resulting in imprisonment and hardship

• Major Sholto is also motivated by his own greed and chooses to betray his former colleagues in an attempt to gain the treasure for himself

• Major Sholto and Small exemplify how greed blinds individuals to morality, ethics and the consequences of their actions:

  • It highlights the destructive impact of obsession on both the obsessed individual and those around them

• The relationships between Holmes and Watson, and Watson and Mary Morstan, are tested as the other characters' greed and obsession threaten their connections:

  • Greed becomes a barrier to authentic relationships, highlighting its potential to erode the foundation of relationships

  • For characters like Major Sholto, greed isolates them and destroys trust

• The novel also subtly comments on the destructive aspects of British colonialism which also links to greed:

  • The origins of the Agra treasure in India and the involvement of British figures in its acquisition reflect the imperialistic mindset of the time

  • The quest for wealth and power in distant lands becomes a symbol of the exploitative nature of colonialism, emphasising the greed and obsession that underpin such pursuits

What is Conan Doyle’s intention?

• The Agra treasure acts as a powerful symbol which Conan Doyle uses to illustrate the alluring and destructive nature of material wealth

• By examining the consequences of greed and obsession, Doyle raises questions about human nature and the limits of one’s desires

Colonialism

Set during the height of the imperialistic era, the novella subtly explores the consequences and moral complexities of British colonial rule.

Knowledge and evidence

• Through the narrative, Doyle presents a critical examination of the imperialist mindset and its impact on both colonisers and the colonised:

  • The Agra treasure, which originates from India, was a colony under British rule at the time

• The treasure serves as a symbolic representation of the spoils of imperialism

• Its acquisition by the British highlights the sense of entitlement and exploitation that accompanied colonial rule

• Some of the characters' actions are driven by their desire for wealth and power:

  • This demonstrates the disregard for the rights and lives of the colonised people

• The pursuit of wealth, power and dominance is portrayed as a destructive force, leading to corruption, betrayal and loss of humanity

• While the novel primarily focuses on British characters, it provides glimpses into the lives and experiences of the colonised people:

  • Conan Doyle showcases their resilience, intelligence and emotional depth, countering stereotypes and providing a nuanced perspective

  • Though brief and indirect, this humanisation prompts the reader to empathise with the colonised people and re-examine the readers’ preconceived notions about the Empire

• Miss Morstan reflects the vulnerability of those drawn into colonial affairs from afar, though she remains an Englishwoman:

  • Through her character, Doyle sheds light on the cultural clashes and power dynamics that permeated the colonial relationship

  • Her presence challenges stereotypes and highlights the complexity of the colonial experience

• Conan Doyle subtly critiques the imperialistic mindset prevalent during the era:

  • By portraying the negative consequences of imperialism, the novel encourages the reader to question and re-evaluate the values underlying the British Empire

What is Conan Doyle’s intention?

• Conan Doyle uses the characters' involvement in the Agra treasure to raise questions about the ethics and morality of British colonialism

• Conan Doyle critically examines the notion of colonial superiority and its implications for justice and humanity, and explores the inherent flaws and contradictions within imperialism

Sources

Doyle, Arthur Conan. “The Sign of the Four.” Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2097/2097-h/2097-h.htm.