4.1.1

Corruption

Test yourself

Corruption from Wealth

The crime in The Sign of the Four is based around the greed of the four who stole the Agra treasure. The treasure negatively impacts everyone in the story:

Illustrative background for Bartholomew SholtoIllustrative background for Bartholomew Sholto ?? "content

Bartholomew Sholto

  • Bartholomew Sholto is murdered for the treasure.
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Thaddeus

  • Thaddeus Sholto is constantly nervous – he is described as ‘jerking’ and ‘nervous’.
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Major Sholto

  • Major Sholto spent the rest of his life worried about a ‘one-legged man’.
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Tonga

  • Tonga is killed whilst trying to escape Sherlock and the police.
Illustrative background for Jonathan SmallIllustrative background for Jonathan Small ?? "content

Jonathan Small

  • Jonathan Small is imprisoned because of his desire for the treasure.
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Mary and Watson

  • The romance between Watson and Mary is also negatively impacted, as Watson fears that Mary will become ‘the richest heiress in England’ because of her share of the treasure.
  • He convinces himself that he is not good enough for her.

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