4.1.5

Duality

Test yourself on Duality

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Duality in The Sign of the Four

Duality is when characters have two sides to them – this is often good versus evil.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

  • We see the two sides of Holmes very clearly.
    • In Chapter 1 we see Holmes’ dependence on drugs. Later in the novella, we see Holmes being dependent on the investigation to stimulate his brain (‘I crave for mental exaltation’).
    • In Chapter 7, Watson considers how terrible it would be if Holmes were to use his powers for crime rather than detective work.
    • In Chapter 12, Holmes quotes a German text that laments that he is only one man when he could have been two: a good man and a rascal.
Holmes and Watson

Holmes and Watson

  • Holmes and Watson could also be said to represent two sides of humanity themselves.
    • Holmes represents clear, scientific, unbiased reasoning and intellect.
    • Watson is more romantic and wants to develop good, personal relationships.
Thaddeus and Bartholomew

Thaddeus and Bartholomew

  • The Sholto twins could be viewed as a good twin and an evil twin.
    • Thaddeus (the good twin) wants Mary to receive her fair share of the treasure and wants to tell her about her father’s fate. He ultimately gets to live his life freely at the end (‘I can do you justice; and I will, too, whatever Brother Bartholomew may say’).
    • Bartholomew does not want to reveal anything to Mary or give her any treasure. He is greedy and wants to keep it for himself. Bartholomew is murdered.
Victorian interest

Victorian interest

  • In Victorian times there was interest in the idea of split personalities, for example in the ‘Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson and ‘The picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Victorian England & British Empire

1.1.1Author Background1.1.2Victorian Crime & Police1.1.3Historical Context1.1.4Victorian London1.1.5Women1.1.6The British Empire1.1.7End of Topic Test - Author & Victorian Police1.1.8End of Topic Test - Victorian London & Empire
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Chapter Summaries

2.1.1Chapter 12.1.2Chapter 22.1.3Chapter 32.1.4Chapter 42.1.5Chapter 52.1.6Chapter 62.1.7Chapter 72.1.8Chapter 82.1.9Chapter 92.1.10Chapter 102.1.11Chapter 112.1.12Chapter 122.1.13Chapter 12: Jonathan Small's Stories2.1.14End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-62.1.15End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-12
3

Characters

3.1

Key Characters

3.1.1Sherlock Holmes3.1.2Sherlock Holmes: Quotations3.1.3Dr John Watson3.1.4Mary Morstan3.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Characters3.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Mary & Dr Watson
3.2

Other Characters

3.2.1Thaddeus Sholto3.2.2Jonathan Small3.2.3End of Topic Test - Thaddeus and Jonathan Small
3.3

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters3.3.2Extract Analysis - Tonga
4

Key Themes

4.1

Key Themes

4.1.1Corruption4.1.2Criminals & Victims4.1.3Victorian Fear4.1.4British Empire & Imperialism4.1.5Duality4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Narrative Voice5.1.2Dialogue5.1.3Structure5.1.4Structure & Characters5.1.5Pathetic Fallacy5.1.6End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Sherlock Holmes - Quotations6.1.2Dr John Watson - Quotations6.1.3Mary Morstan - Quotations6.1.4Thaddeus Sholto - Quotations6.1.5Jonathan Small - Quotations
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Chapter 1 - Quotations6.2.2Chapter 2 - Quotations6.2.3Chapter 3 - Quotations6.2.4Chapter 4 - Quotations6.2.5Chapter 5 - Quotations6.2.6Chapter 6 - Quotations6.2.7Chapter 7 - Quotations6.2.8Chapter 8 - Quotations6.2.9Chapter 9 - Quotations6.2.10Chapter 10 - Quotations6.2.11Chapter 11 - Quotations6.2.12Chapter 12 - Quotations

Practice questions on Duality

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of these are true of Sherlock Holmes?True / false
Answer all questions on Duality

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

British Empire & Imperialism

End of Topic Test - Key Themes