I enjoyed reading the suspenseful and engaging short stories, especially after completing Northanger Abbey. While reading “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” I was surprised by Sherlock Holmes’ final reaction after he and Dr. Watson found Dr. Roylott dead in his room. Sherlock Holmes stated that he knew a snake was the cause of the problem before ever going into Dr. Roylott’s room (158). For some reason, I find this hard to believe. Even though the evidence did prove that a snake caused the deaths of both Dr. Roylott and his daughter, I cannot see how Sherlock Holmes would have been able to determine this without first examining the room. As a reader, this allows us to better understand Sherlock Holmes’ character and personality. I believe Sherlock Holmes was trying to make himself seem like a better detective by telling Dr. Watson that he always knew a snake was at the root of the killings.
In our discussion in class yesterday (10/20/2010), we discussed the bird as being a symbol in “A Jury of Her Peers.” First, we discover that a bird was missing in the Wright house and that its cage had been forced open (273). Next, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters find the dead bird covered in silk inside of a box (276-277). I believe that this bird was killed by Mr. Wright in order to anger Mrs. Wright (Minnie Foster). Mr. Wright killing the bird symbolizes the dominance he felt that he possessed over his wife at this time. Therefore, I believe Mrs. Wright then killed her husband as an act of retaliation to show that women are equal, if not superior, to men.
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