Canon Discussion Post: The Six Napoleons

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, everyone! Let's have some canon Sherlock Holmes discussion, shall we? What did you all think of The Six Napoleons? As always, I've written up a few of my own random thoughts and questions, which are behind the jump. Please add your own in the comments!

Discussion about the Granada adaptation of this story is available in this week's Granada discussion post.


- This is a hallmark case for any fan of Inspector Lestrade. He's the highlight here in his multi-faceted relationship with Sherlock Holmes. We've seen Lestrade many times as much Holmes' competitor as his colleague, and we see a good deal more of both those roles here. But never before have we seen him so much as Holmes' friend. He's a regular at Baker Street by now, stopping by frequently for cases and conversation. It's warm and charming. Lestrade is a welcomed, comfortable guest in Holmes and Watson's home. In the heat of a case, he and Holmes are rivals, but they always want the other to succeed, even if they think that person is going in the completely wrong direction. It's a friendly, but very real, competition, and one Holmes inevitably wins. But Lestrade touches the detective by telling him the truth: the Yard (and he) are proud of him. It takes a lot to touch Sherlock Holmes, but Inspector Lestrade succeeds.

- Wow, that Beppo is apparently the ugliest man in the universe. No fewer than three different people go out of their way to mention how hideous he is, and Watson in particular goes on about Beppo's repulsive simian face multiple times. In fact, it's laid on so thick it begins smacking strongly of Victorian racism. The dark and animalistic description of a Southern Italian (or a dozen other ethnicities, for that matter) was certainly not uncommon at the time. I felt uncomfortable about it, even if Beppo is clearly a violent criminal.

- Can you imagine getting an express message one evening from Sherlock Holmes telling you to lock your doors and wait for developments as you're about to be burgled tonight? Josiah Brown had never met Holmes before, but he did what the man asked via messenger nonetheless. Brown is described as jovial, so I guess he hadn't been too afraid during his wait in the dark for a criminal. But shouldn't he have been? Isn't this somewhat negligent on Holmes' part? The detective knew this burglar was violent, and even if he was there to watch, it's a risk to put a civilian into a position to possibly encounter a thief/murderer. And what about the other guy with a Napoleon? He clearly doesn't get told at all what's going on. What if Beppo had gone to his house that night instead?

- So we're years out from Holmes' return in The Empty House, and Watson has not been publishing their chronicles since that time, ostensibly at Holmes' request. Any theories as to why Holmes didn't want his stories for such a long stretch after his hiatus? And why did Holmes allow Watson to start publishing again the year after this, when he authors The Hound of the Baskervilles?

Comment away, and join us next week for Thor Bridge!

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Not really in response to your comments, but just to say that this is probably my favourite story. I like the friendship between the three men - who I imagine have grown closer over the years. I like the plot and the way it works out. And I like the whole idea of the busts of Napoleon having a starring role.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

The camaraderie in this story is delightful. You can feel they respect each other and have grown into friends, as you say. I forgot how much I loved that from the last time I read SIXN. Oh, our boys are so cute together. :)

[chiapetzukamori.livejournal.com]

I'm not really well-read on the various fan theories regarding Holmes' desire to not have his cases published. What intrigued me though...if Watson is not publishing the cases anymore, then technically the general public thought Holmes to be dead all those years. It wasn't until "The Empty House" was published that people were supposed to know he was alive. So where was he getting his cases from all this time?

This is one of my favorite stories. Lovely Lestrade scene aside, it's such a fun one!

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good question about Holmes and publicity about his return from the dead. I'd guess it was well covered in the press when he came back with a flourish, catching Moran. People would probably have heard that way. And word of mouth would spread too, I think, because it's not every day you hear of someone who successfully faked their death and returned from it. :)