Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-5-duality

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# Duality

English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four, topic 4.1.5

## 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c7b2bb77-284b-4afa-a02f-0bb3dcc59397/schizophrenia-duality-good-bad-evil-.jpg)

- 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](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/322/19599312282_b16eebdb44_b.jpg)

- 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](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Nabokovs_brothers.jpg)

- 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/73b37db1-c0c7-407a-b17d-9fc1b5268832/mental%20health.jpg)

- 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.

## Test yourself on Duality

- Which of these are true of Sherlock Holmes?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8c61eecf-31b6-4e1a-b05b-6301a2fa6941/section/af4db1c1-5e66-4b4d-988c-fe71489e0c6d/session)

- Previous 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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)