Midterm Project

Team name: DT
Members: Tom & Lumi
Course: Reading IV
Prompt: Summary and Response to one of the readings in
"Sherlock Holmes Short Stories" (The Patient)

Answer:
Summary:
The beginning of the story, Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes return home to discover a new
customer waiting for them when they arrive late one October night. In addition, Dr. Percy
Trevelyan appears on behalf of Blessington, a patient who passed away late in a strange
accident.
A few years earlier, Blessington had offered to support Dr. Trevelyan's business in return for
three-quarters of his income and a place to remain as a resident patient. As a result,
Blessington entered Trevelyan's life frequently after their agreement. However, in the weeks
preceding his death, Trevelyan grew more concerned about Blessington's mental health since
he had started to act anxious and scared of burglars.
A Russian nobleman wrote to Trevelyan two days before he passed away asking for advice on
the ailment catalepsy, in which Trevelyan was an expert. The Russian seemed to experience a
cataleptic episode during the consult and lost sense; however, when Trevelyan arrived with gas
to awaken him, the Russian and his kid vanished. They returned the following evening, saying
they had gone after the meeting.
Soon later, Blessington began moaning about an intruder in his chamber, and Trevelyan
summoned Sherlock Holmes for assistance. Holmes instantly understood that Blessington was
telling the truth and that the guys who had been to Trevelyan were truly on the lookout for
Blessington. As they returned to Blessington's house, they discovered evidence confirming his
suspicion that Blessington had been murdered.
According to Holmes, three guys entered the residence, perhaps assisted by a companion
inside. A sham trial and cigar smoking preceded the murder of Blessington. Ultimately, the
matter was resolved, and the offenders were prosecuted.
Response:
1. What did you think of the story? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
The premise of this well-written, captivating novel kept me interested from start to
finish. I thought Sherlock Holmes was a great character, and I liked how he used his
sharp mind and good observation to solve the problem.

2. What themes or ideas did you find most interesting in the story?
The concept of duplicity and trust was among the issues that most interested me. The
narrative examines the doctor-patient connection and how it might be abused for selfish
purposes. The point of money's corrupting influence and the lengths individuals would
go to attain it is also discussed in the novel.

3. What questions or issues does the story raise? Did it make you think
about anything in particular?
The incident calls into question the physicians' ethical obligations and the possibility of
power abuse in the medical industry. However, that also got me thinking about how
crucial communication and trust are to any professional relationship, especially one
involving healthcare.

4. How does the story reflect the period and culture in which it was written?
As the narrative was published in the late 19th century, the medical industry was still
developing and becoming more controlled. The narrative captures the dominant beliefs
of the day regarding medicine and the faith people had in physicians. Also, as the novel
is set in England, the author's choice of location and language reflect Victorian England's
cultural conventions and ideals.