WORKSHEET 1: “A Scandal in Bohemia”

COMPREHENSION: (Don’t forget to give the numbers of the pages, paragraphs or lines
from where you take your examples),

1. What is the exact moment when Sherlock Holmes demonstrates that he has discovered
the exact identity of the mysterious visitor? Give the quote from the short story that
demonstrates it and explain it. Clue: Holmes uses very elevated diction to address the
“Mysterious visitor”. Mention this aspect, too.
2. In this short story appear two photographs of different relevance. Explain them.
(Remember referring to particular quotes in the text).
3. Explain the use of gnomic present in Sherlock Holmes’ exposition of his ideas about
women present on page 19, paragraph 3, beginning with “When a woman thinks that
her house is on fire...”. (Apply the definition of gnomic present to this particular case).

ANALYSIS:

1. Mention the most important plot twist in this short story. What part of the structure
coincides with it? Explain using correct terminology and giving details that
demonstrate that you have read the story.
2. Why have we affirmed that the beginning of this short story is in ultimas res? (Apply
the definition and demonstrate with examples).
3. We have said in class that the ending of “A Scandal in Bohemia” can be interpreted as
both closed and open. Explain ONLY why it can be considered as an open ending
using quotes from the short story that may support this position.
4. Why is Dr. Watson a foil character? (Apply the definition and demonstrate with
examples). Does he have other functions/roles, too? Which ones?
5. In what sense can we say that Holmes is a dynamic character in this particular short
story? Justify your answer.
6. This short story was written in the Victorian period, when realism was very
prominent. Can we say that setting of this story is realistic?
7. What type of narrative voice (Who speaks?) does Arthur Conan Doyle use in this
story? Justify your answer. Do we have here an overt or covert narrator? Is he
reliable or unreliable?
8. Answer the following questions dealing with this excerpt:

A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with
the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in
England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed
across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak
which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and secured
at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which
extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown
fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole
appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the
upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask,
which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it
as he entered. From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong

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 character, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution
pushed to the length of obstinacy.

 What narrative mode predominates? (Remember that “narrative mode” is

different from “narrative voice”. Narrative mode deals with description, report,
comment…). Demonstrate with examples taken from the excerpt (as you should
always do).
 What literary device appears in:
a. "With the chest and limbs of a Hercules"?
b. "His dress was rich with a richness which would..."
c. "flame-coloured silk... flaming beryl"
d. "with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin..."
 With respect to diction, are there particular semantic fields that predominate
here? Give examples of each from the excerpt.

9. How would you describe the type of sentences (syntax) normally used by Sherlock
Holmes in his dialogues? (e.g.: on pages 8-10; 14-15; or 20) Why do you think that he
speaks that way?