Chapter 5 - Quotations

Test yourself

Key Quotations from Chapter 5

Here are three key quotations from Chapter 5:

The sign of the four

There is a piece of paper with ‘The sign of the four’ written on it.
- A piece of paper, with ‘The sign of the four’ written on it was also found in the grounds at Pondicherry Lodge when Major Sholto died – is it the same piece of paper next to Bartholomew’s body, or a different piece?
- Conan Doyle could be using this to remind the reader of the importance of ‘The sign of the four’ in the plot of the story. This could suggest that they have something to do with Bartholomew’s death.

Contrast: Watson and Holmes

Watson: ‘an insoluble mystery… it grows darker instead of clearer’
Holmes: ‘on the contrary… it clears every instant’.
- The investigation highlights the differences between Holmes and Watson.
- As new evidence is presented, Watson becomes more and more confused by how it all fits together. Holmes, on the other hand, appears to almost know the answers already but is just waiting for the pieces of the puzzle to fit into place.

Sherlock's ability to calm others

'You have no reason to fear’ (Sherlock Holmes).
- Although Holmes sometimes comes across as arrogant and unsociable, he does know how to communicate well with vulnerable people. He manages to calm Thaddeus down quite quickly, despite him being anxious and having just walked in to find his brother has been murdered.

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

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Characters Quotes

6.1.1Sherlock Holmes - Quotations

6.1.2Dr John Watson - Quotations

6.1.3Mary Morstan - Quotations

6.1.4Thaddeus Sholto - Quotations

6.1.5Jonathan Small - Quotations

6.2Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Chapter 1 - Quotations

6.2.2Chapter 2 - Quotations

6.2.3Chapter 3 - Quotations

6.2.4Chapter 4 - Quotations

6.2.5Chapter 5 - Quotations

6.2.6Chapter 6 - Quotations

6.2.7Chapter 7 - Quotations

6.2.8Chapter 8 - Quotations

6.2.9Chapter 9 - Quotations

6.2.10Chapter 10 - Quotations

6.2.11Chapter 11 - Quotations

6.2.12Chapter 12 - Quotations

Jump to other topics