The Connection Between The Indian Mutiny and 'The Sign of Four'
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a writer and doctor, who catapulted to fame by his stories featuring the master of logic and deduction, Sherlock Holmes.
The Sign of the Four is his second novel of Sherlock Holmes novels.
The Storyline
The Sign of Four is about a detective and his companion Dr. Watson unraveling a mystery of hidden treasure and murder with the historical events that form the novel's background, focusing in particular on the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
The Sign of Four includes elements that align with contemporary British mythology about India and the Mutiny, Modern readers may recognize and critique these representations as they reflect the prevailing attitudes and biases of the Victorian era.
The Mutiny
In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel, The Sign of Four, the Mutiny referred to is the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence.
The novel provides some ideas about the Mutiny, mainly through the character of Jonathan Small, a former sergeant in the British Indian Army who played a significant role in the events of the Mutiny.
Doyle’s Ideas About The Mutiny
When Doyle wrote The Sign of Four, he reflects on some aspects of contemporary British mythology about India, the Mutiny, and its aftermath.
Although this novel primarily focuses on mystery and adventure, certain aspects reinforce the prevalent British attitudes towards India during Doyle's time.
For example, he drew India as an exotic, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous country.
He also portrays the character of Tonga, a small Andaman Islander with exceptional physical abilities and a loyal follower of Jonathan Small, who embodies this portrayal of the mysterious other.
Even though the novel portrays the Mutiny and its aftermath darkly, it also celebrates the heroism of British soldiers and officials in India.
Captain Morstan, who goes on a quest to find his missing comrade and uncover the truth behind the treasure, exemplifies this British heroism.
Representing The Characters
Both British and Indian characters are portrayed in The Sign of Four in a way that reflects Victorian attitudes and stereotypes.
As with many works from that time, the portrayals can be seen as reflecting the colonial perspectives of the period.
In addition, it is often the British characters who exhibit a powerful attitude toward the Indian characters in The Sign of Four.
British Characters
Doyle represents a sense of British power and entitlement over India and its people by the interactions between the British characters, such as Sherlock Holmes the central character with the pinnacle of British intellect and deductive reasoning.
His keen observations and logical deductions showcase the image of the brilliant and superior British mind.
Watson was described as a reliable and courageous companion. He is depicted as the quintessential British gentleman, exhibiting loyalty and chivalry.
Indian Characters
While Doyle represents the Indian characters, like the Indian servant Thaddeus Sholto, the son of Major Sholto, who is depicted as loyal, and helpful. He serves Miss Morstan and aids Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in their investigation.
Thaddeus is portrayed as a devoted servant, reflecting the common Victorian view of Indian domestic help as loyal and obedient.
And the Andaman Islander Tonga is described as having a distorted appearance and depicted as a primitive and violent character, perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Victorian Race Perspectives in The Sign of Four
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle conveys several ideas in The Sign of Four about race that reflects the prevailing attitudes and perspectives of the Victorian era.
First, the racial hierarchies when the British characters often assume a position of cultural and intellectual superiority over people from other races, particularly Indians and Andaman Islanders.
Second, Doyle's portrayal of the Indian and Andaman Islander characters often falls into racial stereotypes.
For instance, Tonga, an Andaman Islander, is shown to be violent and vicious, personifying the image of the primitive native, while Indian characters are occasionally described as weird, reinforcing misunderstandings about their identity and culture.
Third, Doyle's representation of Jonathan Small as a British participant in the Mutiny displays racial prejudice and fear.
Small is shown as vengeful and dangerous, implying that the British colonial establishment thought people of other races were a threat to the British colonial establishment.
Sherlock Holmes
He is the hero of the novel, plays a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the stolen treasure and the events related to the Mutiny.
He indirectly connects with the context of the Mutiny through his investigation and the central character of Jonathan Small, who was involved in the Mutiny.
When Holmes investigates the stolen treasure which is the result of the Mutiny.
Holmes learns about the background and intentions of Jonathan Small, one of the four prisoners who stole the treasure during the Mutiny, as he investigates Jonathan Small's Past.
Through his investigation, Holmes reveals the events that took place during the mutiny and Jonathan's desire for revenge against those who betrayed him during the Mutiny shows how it shaped Small's life afterwards.
References
British Library, viewed 2 August 2023, (Link).
Pittard, C. (2018, August 15). Conan Doyle: 'The Sign of Four - The Indian Mutiny of 1857' [Video]. MASSOLIT, (Link).
Mitra, De 2018, Hindustan Times, viewed 4 August 2023 (Link).
David, SA, November 2004, ‘The Indian Mutiny, War in History', Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 450-452.
Keep, CH & Randall, DO, 1999, 'A Forum on Fiction, Addiction, Empire, and Narrative in Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of the Four', Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 207-221.