A Study in Scarlet (Part Two): Chapter 7 ~ FINALE {Sunday Midnight Book Club #8}
Hello, Internet, and good mornight to you all!
My name is Taffryne, shoppekeeper of Midnight on Memory Lane, and it is my absolute delight to welcome you to the second of two posts for this week's gathering of Sunday Midnight Book Club!
'Tis a pleasure, 'tis a pleasure indeed.
As the title of this post says, we're going to be talking about the seventh and final chapter of part two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first-ever Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet.
I humbly present my thoughts for your enjoyment and consideration. Accordingly, please mind that there will be spoilers ahead!
Page Bound Link: click here!
Disclaimer: All of the original Sherlock Holmes books were written by a well-off, white gentleman in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, there potentially will be relics of their time, be it terminology or depictions, at varying levels of offensiveness. I mean no disrespect to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, nor his legacy; I merely want to make it clear that they were wrong during his time, they are wrong now, and I am wholeheartedly in no way endorsing them on this blog. Everyone has different levels of acceptability, so please advise and feel no judgement if you'd rather not take the risk yourself this time around.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Detective Work, Sudden Usage of Latin
Chapter 7 ~ The Conclusion
Recollection
- Jefferson dies in prison the same night he was arrested
- Sherlock is basking in his accomplishment of solving the crime in three days
- Sherlock walks Watson through all of his various deductions, actions, and observations that led him to Jefferson as the killer of Drebber and Strangerson
- The most notable of these was his action to contact the Cleveland Police Department which informed him of the prior protective order Drebber had against Jefferson
- The newspaper prints a small conclusion announcing Jefferson's death and the closing of the case (without any details) while applauding the police work of Lestrade and Gregson alongside a nod to Sherlock
- Watson acquiesces himself to write a recount of everything he experienced with Sherlock for publication
"Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo. Ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplor in arca." (Pg.71)
ENG: "The public hisses at me, but I applaud myself in my own house, and simultaneously contemplate the money in my chest." (Quoted from Horatio's Satire)
What a perfect quote to end on, truly. The newspaper and public might be bereft of details, but we know the full story and are content with that. Rest in Peace to Jefferson, Lucy, and John. I'm sorry that your deaths were the necessity for an incredible story.
Story Reflection
It is so fascinating to go through this story knowing that, at the time, Sir Arthur had no idea that these characters would become his Magnum Opus to outlive him for centuries. The ending itself, such a neatly wrapped bow, honestly gives the impression that this was supposed to be a one-and-done venture.
Intention aside, it's been an absolute joy to see the birth of Sherlock and Watson within their first story and case together. Are they exactly the Sherlock and Watson we know today? No, but I think that makes it even more interesting. We've read them in their literary infancy and now get to go on and watch these characters and the world grow! Every story will be a new memory within their fiction to experience, and I'm utterly excited for such an opportunity.
While there are the unfortunate inclusions of offensive terms or the completely out-of-nowhere "villainous mormons" reveal (I have been informed that he would later apologize informally for it, thankfully), I think it still stands as a thrilling read within the detective genre. Even though I already knew some of the story elements, I was still enraptured to find out more and had many "WAIT WHAT???" moments. Naturally, the banter of Sherlock and Watson is also a timeless entertainment.
In the situation where someone had absolutely no interest in the Sherlock/Watson dynamic, I hope they can at least appreciate the quality of his writing style and his contributions to the literary world.
The Questioning Query
Overall, what's your reflection on reading this story? Did you enjoy it or not? Do you also get the sense that it was meant to be a one-shot? Was this your first time actually reading a Sherlock Holmes book? Do you think the mystery and solving were interesting and well done or no?
Thanks for Reading!
I hope you've been able to read and experience the story for yourself!
If you haven't, that's okay too! My thoughts are here to keep you updated and entertained in the meantime.
That'll be the end of this week's gathering for Sunday Midnight Book Club, so off into the nighttime we go in preparation for tomorrow!
I hope you'll come back for tomorrow's Manga Monday! We'll be discussing volume 8 of The Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess.
May we meet again at Midnight!