Chapter 9 - Quotations

Test yourself

Key Quotations from Chapter 9

Here are three key quotations from Chapter 9:

Sherlock's distress

‘He walked and he walked, up and down, and up and down’ (Mrs Hudson).
- The repetition of this action illustrates the frustration in Holmes’ mind – he becomes fixated on one thing and cannot do anything else (even sleep) until he reconciles his theories in his mind.
- Not knowing the location of Jonathan Small causes him mental frustration. He channels his frustration into physical movement.

All-consuming problem

‘This infernal problem is consuming me’ (Sherlock Holmes).
- Holmes feels irritated because he cannot understand what has happened to the boat, or how the men have disappeared.
- The verb ‘consuming’ suggests that this problem is filling his brain, eating away at him.
- This links to the title of the chapter, ‘A Break in the Chain’ – Holmes feels his brain is almost broken, and so he uses a different technique to break the chain of waiting; he disguises himself as an old sailor.

Jones' admiration for Holmes

‘I should be very glad of a little assistance’ (Inspector Jones).
- For the first time, Jones openly admits that Sherlock Holmes is good at what he does. He confides in Watson that Holmes is a brilliant detective, even saying that he should be a police officer.
- Jones also shows some humility here as he acknowledges that he cannot do this without Holmes. This reflects the inability of the Victorian police to solve criminal cases – they needed help and advice on how to do this well.

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

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