Structure

Test yourself

Structure: Novella

A novella is a story which is longer than a short story but not as long as a novel.

Plot

A novella can have a complicated plot but does not have as many complications as a novel.

Characters

Although novellas may have a range of characters, the limited word count means that they cannot explore many of the characters in great depth.
Instead, they tend to have one or two characters that readers really get to know, and then several other smaller roles.

Structure of The Sign of the Four

The story is structured in three distinctive sections:

Beginning

The scene is set and we are introduced to Holmes, Watson and their relationship.
We are then introduced to Watson’s potential love interest: Mary Morstan.
Mary brings a case to Holmes which looks fairly straightforward.
They travel to meet the stranger.

Middle

After meeting Thaddeus, there is a twist in the story – we find that Bartholomew has been murdered.
This then causes a chain of revelations, where we gradually find out more details about the case.
Holmes demonstrates excellent detective skills as he finds out all of the information to put the case together.

Illustrative background for End ?? "content

End

Holmes initiates a boat chase down the River Thames.
He and Watson kill Tonga and arrest Jonathan Small.
Small explains all of the details of his life and the case.
Small goes to prison.
Watson becomes engaged to Mary Morstan.

Significance of the Structure

The structure of the story itself is designed to suit the detective/mystery genre.

Gradual release of information

There is an initial puzzle presented to an intelligent protagonist.
As each chapter progresses, a few more details around the mystery are revealed – some puzzle pieces are put together (such as Thaddeus being the sender of the pearls) and more puzzling details are revealed (such as Major Sholto’s fear of men with wooden legs).
Information is gradually revealed to the reader, one small piece at a time – this keeps the reader hooked because it keeps us guessing.

Holmes' role

Whenever there are too many unsolved puzzle pieces, Holmes puts a few together for the reader – this ensures that we are not completely lost at any point, which keeps the reader engaged.

Increasing tension

Tension increases throughout the story as the more deadly details are revealed (such as the murder of Bartholomew Sholto).
Conan Doyle keeps the reader guessing right to the end – it is only when Jonathan Small tells his whole life story that all of the details of the case are finally laid out for the reader.

1Context

1.1Victorian England & British Empire

1.1.1Author Background

1.1.2Victorian Crime & Police

1.1.3Historical Context

1.1.4Victorian London

1.1.5Women

1.1.6The British Empire

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Author & Victorian Police

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Victorian London & Empire

2Plot Summary

2.1Chapter Summaries

2.1.1Chapter 1

2.1.2Chapter 2

2.1.3Chapter 3

2.1.4Chapter 4

2.1.5Chapter 5

2.1.6Chapter 6

2.1.7Chapter 7

2.1.8Chapter 8

2.1.9Chapter 9

2.1.10Chapter 10

2.1.11Chapter 11

2.1.12Chapter 12

2.1.13Chapter 12: Jonathan Small's Stories

2.1.14End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

2.1.15End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-12

3Characters

3.1Key Characters

3.1.1Sherlock Holmes

3.1.2Sherlock Holmes: Quotations

3.1.3Dr John Watson

3.1.4Mary Morstan

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Characters

3.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Mary & Dr Watson

3.2Other Characters

3.2.1Thaddeus Sholto

3.2.2Jonathan Small

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Thaddeus and Jonathan Small

3.3Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.3.2Extract Analysis - Tonga

4Key Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Corruption

4.1.2Criminals & Victims

4.1.3Victorian Fear

4.1.4British Empire & Imperialism

4.1.5Duality

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Narrative Voice

5.1.2Dialogue

5.1.3Structure

5.1.4Structure & Characters

5.1.5Pathetic Fallacy

5.1.6End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

Jump to other topics