Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-3-victorian-fear

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four.md) › Victorian Fear

# Victorian Fear

English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four, topic 4.1.3

## Fear in _The Sign of the Four_

Much of the story focuses around a crime which has been committed by an unknown, unseen criminal. This creates a huge amount of fear in the Victorian reader.

### Title

![Title](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/c2b408a4-90b8-41d6-9e01-f14f9b7c7f03/shutterstock_523462210.jpg)

- The very title of the story, _The Sign of the Four_, is vague and mysterious until Jonathan Small explains the link at the end of the tale.

### Mary's letters and pearls

![Mary's letters and pearls](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/b04a4318-44fd-4789-af4e-a54ac3bf382e/pearl-jewel-jewellery-.jpg)

- The letters and pearls Mary received are unexplained and mysterious. Readers cannot know whether the person sending these items is good or bad – we also wonder in Chapter 2 about why this person wants to meet Mary and what the possible consequences of this are.

### Bartholomew Sholto's murder

![Bartholomew Sholto's murder](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/71bcdb00-ffa6-4353-ad6e-2dd686432569/lock-door-padlock-bolt-.jpg)

- Mystery and fear is increased when Bartholomew Sholto is murdered inside a locked room.
- It is only through Sherlock’s close examination of the evidence that we begin to understand how it happened, although we are then presented with a poisoned dart and are left with a mystery as to where it came from and to whom it belonged.

### One-legged man

![One-legged man](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/1c800b25-fd3a-4267-86d2-13e4ca394c3b/window-similar-.jpg)

- Fear is increased again when Sherlock determines that a one-legged man had been on the window ledge outside the room. 
- We are reminded of Thaddeus’ tale of Major Sholto being terrified of a one-legged man and mystery increases as the reader wonders who this man is and what he wants.

## Fear of Tonga

Tonga is an interesting character in the story, as he highlights the Victorian fear of unknown cultures.

### Tonga the savage

![Tonga the savage](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/35257a88-9d7d-4d6a-877a-be5b7ef39815/crime-knife-clue-murder-blood-.jpg)

- Because he is different and has different mannerisms, he is described as a __‘savage’__, as less than human, and is used as the murderer in the story.

### Victorian attitudes

![Victorian attitudes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/488280a5-2809-421c-abb1-aad8e1c45fbb/Mughal-empire-696x392.jpg)

- Victorian society feared other societies, believing that races and cultures who behaved differently to English people were dangerous and substandard. 
- Essentially, Victorians believed that their way of life was the correct one, and feared anyone who threatened that viewpoint.

## The Fear of Characters

Several of the characters live their lives in fear because of the Agra treasure and the Sign of the Four:

### Major Sholto

![Major Sholto](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/5dff5272-b233-4bae-bb0c-2da9e00cf3ca/treasure-map-adventure-.jpg)

- Major Sholto lived his life in fear of the treasure being discovered – he was terrified of a __‘one-legged man’__ and very rarely ventured outside.

### Thaddeus Sholto

![Thaddeus Sholto](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2026-01/174f5d22-9474-408c-9092-8a61f32252a4/769f1dea-32f5-4eda-9181-baf4c7e198fc.png)

- Thaddeus Sholto is constantly nervous-looking and behaves in a very anxious manner. 
- Thaddeus Sholto knows what his father did and is also terrified of any possible consequences.

### Dr Watson

![Dr Watson](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/df4811d1-17eb-475d-8410-0d794ab48988/couple-sunset.jpg)

- Dr Watson fears that his feelings for Mary Morstan may not be reciprocated because she will inherit a great deal of wealth.

### Exception: Sherlock Holmes

![Exception: Sherlock Holmes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/8262521c-8fb0-4183-9cd3-09741b712480/Cheka-Detective-Secret-Police-.jpg)

- Interestingly, Sherlock Holmes is the only character in the story who does not appear to be affected by fear. 
- Instead, he allays any worries for many of the characters, using scientific reasoning to uncover the truth and abolish fear.

## Test yourself on Victorian Fear

- What unexplained and mysterious things does Mary receive?
- Where does Sherlock determine that a one-legged man had been?
- Who is used as the murderer in the story?
- How is Tonga described?
- Why is Thaddeus Sholto constantly nervous-looking and behaves in a very anxious manner?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8c61eecf-31b6-4e1a-b05b-6301a2fa6941/section/3e4fa44f-d1c5-42af-a3eb-badfaba5a2c5/session)

- Previous topic: [4.1.2 Criminals & Victims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-2-criminals-and-victims.md)
- Next topic: [4.1.4 British Empire & Imperialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-4-british-empire-and-imperialism.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four contents

### 1 Context
- 1.1 Victorian England & British Empire
  - [1.1.1 Author Background](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-1-author-background.md)
  - [1.1.2 Victorian Crime & Police](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-2-victorian-crime-and-police.md)
  - [1.1.3 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-3-historical-context.md)
  - [1.1.4 Victorian London](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-4-victorian-london.md)
  - [1.1.5 Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-5-women.md)
  - [1.1.6 The British Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-6-the-british-empire.md)
  - [1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Author & Victorian Police](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-7-end-of-topic-test-author-and-victorian-police.md)
  - [1.1.8 End of Topic Test - Victorian London & Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-8-end-of-topic-test-victorian-london-and-empire.md)

### 2 Plot Summary
- 2.1 Chapter Summaries
  - [2.1.1 Chapter 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-1-chapter-1.md)
  - [2.1.2 Chapter 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-2-chapter-2.md)
  - [2.1.3 Chapter 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-3-chapter-3.md)
  - [2.1.4 Chapter 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-4-chapter-4.md)
  - [2.1.5 Chapter 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-5-chapter-5.md)
  - [2.1.6 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-6-chapter-6.md)
  - [2.1.7 Chapter 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-7-chapter-7.md)
  - [2.1.8 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-8-chapter-8.md)
  - [2.1.9 Chapter 9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-9-chapter-9.md)
  - [2.1.10 Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-10-chapter-10.md)
  - [2.1.11 Chapter 11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-11-chapter-11.md)
  - [2.1.12 Chapter 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-12-chapter-12.md)
  - [2.1.13 Chapter 12: Jonathan Small's Stories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-13-chapter-12-jonathan-smalls-stories.md)
  - [2.1.14 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-14-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-6.md)
  - [2.1.15 End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-15-end-of-topic-test-chapters-7-12.md)

### 3 Characters
- 3.1 Key Characters
  - [3.1.1 Sherlock Holmes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-1-sherlock-holmes.md)
  - [3.1.2 Sherlock Holmes: Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-2-sherlock-holmes-quotations.md)
  - [3.1.3 Dr John Watson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-3-dr-john-watson.md)
  - [3.1.4 Mary Morstan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-4-mary-morstan.md)
  - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-key-characters.md)
  - [3.1.6 Exam-Style Questions - Mary & Dr Watson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-6-exam-style-questions-mary-and-dr-watson.md)
- 3.2 Other Characters
  - [3.2.1 Thaddeus Sholto](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-1-thaddeus-sholto.md)
  - [3.2.2 Jonathan Small](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-2-jonathan-small.md)
  - [3.2.3 End of Topic Test - Thaddeus and Jonathan Small](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-3-end-of-topic-test-thaddeus-and-jonathan-small.md)
- 3.3 Grade 9 - Key Characters
  - [3.3.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-3-1-grade-9-key-characters.md)
  - [3.3.2 Extract Analysis - Tonga](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-3-2-extract-analysis-tonga.md)

### 4 Key Themes
- 4.1 Key Themes
  - [4.1.1 Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-1-corruption.md)
  - [4.1.2 Criminals & Victims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-2-criminals-and-victims.md)
  - [4.1.3 Victorian Fear](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-3-victorian-fear.md)
  - [4.1.4 British Empire & Imperialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-4-british-empire-and-imperialism.md)
  - [4.1.5 Duality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-5-duality.md)
  - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-themes.md)

### 5 Writing Techniques
- 5.1 Writing Techniques
  - [5.1.1 Narrative Voice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-1-narrative-voice.md)
  - [5.1.2 Dialogue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-2-dialogue.md)
  - [5.1.3 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-3-structure.md)
  - [5.1.4 Structure & Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-4-structure-and-characters.md)
  - [5.1.5 Pathetic Fallacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-5-pathetic-fallacy.md)
  - [5.1.6 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-6-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md)

### 6 Recap: Main Quotes
- 6.1 Characters Quotes
  - [6.1.1 Sherlock Holmes - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-1-sherlock-holmes-quotations.md)
  - [6.1.2 Dr John Watson - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-2-dr-john-watson-quotations.md)
  - [6.1.3 Mary Morstan - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-3-mary-morstan-quotations.md)
  - [6.1.4 Thaddeus Sholto - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-4-thaddeus-sholto-quotations.md)
  - [6.1.5 Jonathan Small - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-5-jonathan-small-quotations.md)
- 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes
  - [6.2.1 Chapter 1 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-1-chapter-1-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.2 Chapter 2 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-2-chapter-2-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.3 Chapter 3 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-3-chapter-3-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.4 Chapter 4 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-4-chapter-4-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.5 Chapter 5 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-5-chapter-5-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.6 Chapter 6 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-6-chapter-6-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.7 Chapter 7 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-7-chapter-7-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.8 Chapter 8 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-8-chapter-8-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.9 Chapter 9 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-9-chapter-9-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.10 Chapter 10 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-10-chapter-10-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.11 Chapter 11 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-11-chapter-11-quotations.md)
  - [6.2.12 Chapter 12 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-12-chapter-12-quotations.md)