Colonialism in Sherlock Holmes Fiction
The question highlights how colonialism appears in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, reflecting trends in 19th-century British fiction. This representation spans objects, events, animals, places, fears, and desires.
Analyzing Elements Supporting Colonialism
We assess each option for its connection to colonialism:
- Option A: Opium dens in London, frequented by Holmes. The opium trade was a direct product of British imperialism, particularly its involvement with China. Opium dens in London signify the importation of colonial commodities and their social consequences into Britain itself, thus linking domestic settings to imperial activities. This supports the claim.
- Option B: The war in which Watson served as a doctor. Dr. Watson's service occurred during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. This conflict was a manifestation of British imperial policy and expansion. Military actions in colonized or contested territories are clear examples of colonial events. This supports the claim.
- Option C: The hound in The Hound of the Baskervilles. The hound is primarily tied to local folklore and superstition on the moors. While the story has elements of mystery and dread, its core symbolism is not directly linked to the broader political or social structures of British colonialism. This option does not strongly support the claim.
- Option D: The pet animals in “The Adventure of the Speckled Band". The exotic snake used as a weapon in this story evokes themes of the 'other' and the dangerous allure of foreign lands, common in literature influenced by colonial encounters. Such elements often symbolized the mysteries and potential threats encountered through imperial expansion. This supports the claim.
Conclusion on Colonial Representation
Options A, B, and D directly illustrate how colonialism manifested in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Opium dens represent the tangible effects of imperial trade, Watson's war signifies direct military engagement within the empire's reach, and exotic animals highlight the fascination and fear associated with foreign territories brought closer by colonialism.
Important Questions from Analytical Reasoning Drawing Reasonable Inferences from Passages
- Suppose, your last year taxable income was Rs. 22000. Due to hike in salary, your taxable income this year is Rs. 34200. The details for tax calculation are given in the table below.Consider the appropriate tax slab corresponding to your income. What is the additional amount of tax you need to pay this year compared to last year?
Income range (Rs.) Tax slab (Rs.) 0 to 5000 2% of income Greater than 5000 to 10000 100 + 3% of income over 5000 Greater than 10000 to 20000 250 + 5% of income over 10000 Greater than 20000 to 30000 750 + 8% of income over 20000 Greater than 30000 to 50000 1550 + 10% of income over 30000 Greater than 50000 to 100000 3550 + 20% of income over 50000 Identify the title of the poem in which the following lines appear:
"He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint
For in everything he did he served the greater community."
- In Plato's idea of the Republic there is no place for the _________.
- Which of the following novels by Chinua Achebe derives its title from W. B. Yeats's poem “The Second Coming"?
- Identify the commonality shared by the authors of Mansfield Park and Middle March:
