Canon Discussion: The Solitary Cyclist

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

This week we’re looking at The Solitary Cyclist. As usual, I’ve typed up a few thoughts to get the discussion started.

…the peculiar persecution to which John Vincent Harden, the well-known tobacco millionaire, had been subjected… Crikey. I wonder what it was…

…I observed the slight roughening of the side of the sole caused by the friction of the edge of the pedal. It’s interesting that Watson has picked up some of Holmes’ skills, even though Holmes’ complains about his detective work later on. Though, of course, Watson here knows what to look for—he’s just been told the lady is a cyclist.

"Oh, Cyril is his name!" said Holmes, smiling. "He would not pay you a surprise visit?" That latter sentence strikes me as Holmes asking a difficult question tactfully. A “surprise visit”? It would be extremely odd behaviour for a fiancé: turning up on several different days and then stalking his intended on a bicycle. And that first sentence: it looks at first glance rather endearing – Holmes being indulgent and a little avuncular. But I wonder if the smile is simply a polite one and inside he’s adding the fiancé to his list of possible suspects. This is a very good example of Holmes remaining detached. He can’t be sentimental in his work; he is fully aware that people are sometimes harmed by those that purport to love them. Until he knows more, Cyril Morton is just a piece in the puzzle.

“Then, again, how about the connection between Carruthers and Woodley, since they appear to be men of such a different type?” Why are these two men (sort of) friends? Yes, the plot binds them together, and they had a mutual friend in Ralph Smith. But they must have been friends themselves beforehand in order to come up with the plot together—and they appear to have nothing in common. If one or the other had come up with the plot on his own, there seems to be no reason to look for an accomplice—in fact it only complicates things. It’s possible I suppose that Woodley came up with the idea and thought Carruthers’ daughter made for a good excuse to give Miss Smith a job and get to know her. But I’m sure he could have found other ways to “court” her.

…his austere face was even more severe than usual as he commented upon the things that I had done and the things that I had not. Holmes is being so tiresome here. Before Watson left, he could have told him to make sure he was on the hall side of the road, and then to be sure to go and chat up the local landlord. Watson is not a professional detective—he’s helping Holmes out of the goodness of his heart.

"They're married!" I gasped. Well, we know they’re not: it’s a forced marriage and the clergyman has been defrocked. But there’s something else I need to query: the “ceremony” is taking place outside. Surely that wouldn’t have been legal either? I think even now you can’t marry outside in England. Oh, and there are no witnesses as well. (I’m just saying it’s odd Holmes doesn’t bring these points up too…)

"Well," said I, "you call that love, Mr. Carruthers, but I should call it selfishness." "Maybe the two things go together.” In the midst of the drama and adventure, this always stands out for me as such a poignant and truthful exchange. Watson is so noble and upright when it comes to love, but I think Carruthers probably represents more of us.

Of the fate of Carruthers I have no record, but I am sure that his assault was not viewed very gravely by the Court, since Woodley had the reputation of being a most dangerous ruffian, and I think that a few months were sufficient to satisfy the demands of justice. That’s a little unlikely, isn’t it? Woodley was an “odious person” but Carruthers was guilty of attempted murder. ("No, she's your widow.") Which is even more serious than the crimes the other two were guilty of. And what about Carruthers’ daughter while he was in prison? In the Granada TV version the Mortons look after her, which is a rather sweet solution. But I wonder if that would be likely—a newly married couple looking after a child that, though Mrs Morton was fond of her, they barely knew.

Next Sunday, 30th March, we will be having a look at The Six Napoleons. Hope to see you then.

Comments

[vaysh]

This is one odd story, to be sure. :) Reading it, I was wholly intrigued by how elements of the sentimental novel (forced marriage, the defrocked priest, the "odious" man who preys on pure womanhood ...) are mixed with Arthur Conan Doyle's crime fiction, which was something very new at the time. Probably unconsciously, Doyle was drawing from and playing with different genres here, I think.

And I found it interesting that he chose to have a woman cyclist as the heroine – Violet Smith visually and in the narrative represents the new "modern" woman. One could read the story as Doyle saying that for all her athletic and spirited nature, even the modern woman needs men to protect her (against other men, no less). Personally, it seems to me that Doyle (through the figure of Sherlock Holmes) was intrigued but also unsettled by this modern womanhood. Doyle himself, of course, is in his writing developing new images of a modern masculinity. I find it fascinating how in this story (and others, the Copper Beeches, f.e.), Doyle seems to be sorting out which kind of new woman would fit his new, rational man – not as a love interest, I think, but as a literary counterpart.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Gosh, how interesting... You've introduced me here to a point of view that hadn't crossed my mind before. It's something I shall have to give more thought.

I think I would agree with you that maybe ACD has a mixed view of the modern woman: he's an open-minded man but still a man of his time. (I do so love Violet Hunter in COPP - as you say, she's not there as a love interest (even though Watson hopes she will be for Holmes), she's almost an equal partner in the mystery with Holmes and Watson.) And I certainly wouldn't read SOLI as a story advocating the view that even the modern woman can't be independent - that she still needs the protection of men. Miss Smith is depicted as bold and spirited - she is never afraid of the man tailing her and she stands up to Holmes. She is simply doing the sensible thing by asking for assistance. And everyone needs help when it comes to being targeted by thugs.

I was watching the Granada episode of SOLI yesterday with my 14 year old nephew, and we were discussing the difference bicycles made to society at that time. Suddenly people who couldn't afford a horse and cart were able to travel long distances - gave them more choice in work and marriage. And I suppose it gave women a little more independence.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I agree entirely about the wedding: outdoors and no witness - especially when we remember Holmes being dragged in to witness Irene Adler's wedding. I suppose the logic was that once the certificate was signed would Violet Smith (a mere woman) be believed that it was illegal?

Um, and would you believe I have provided one solution for Harden's persecution.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I would believe you've provided a solution, yes ^^ Partly because I've just read your story :P But also because I have begun to grasp how your mind works ^_^

You know, I've just thought - perhaps they could have just forged an English marriage certificate and taken that back to South Africa, and left poor Miss Smith alone. Her "husband" would presumably have had total rights to the money - Violet Smith would not need to present herself for Ralph Smith's money to be handed over. And if the authorities knew the money had been claimed, they would not need to advertise for relatives abroad. Miss Smith would never have known she had been swindled out of a fortune.

(Oh, dear God - I'm turning into a criminal mastermind. It's hanging around with you...)

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I believe that between the two of us we'd make a mastermind sufficient to confound even the great Sherlock Holmes. After all, he relies on logic to solve his problems.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I don't know whether to feel flattered or insulted... ^^"

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I leave the decision up to you ;)

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I join you in the wonderment about John Vincent Hardin. I like that about Holmes having to take account of Cyril.

I admit I took it that Woodely and Carruthers worked together, hunting for gold; or possibly rooking gold hunters.

Actually, I'd think Mrs Dixon would stay to look after the daughter. Probably telling her that her father had to go overseas for a few years.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Mrs Dixon is a possibility... But she was only an employee of Carruthers. Would she be prepared to look after his child while not being paid for it? It's unlikely he'd have the money knocking about to pay her will he was in prison - he was only pretending to be a rich man while Woodley "courted" Miss Smith.

I really like your idea that Woodley and Carruthers were partners in crime - this wasn't the first criminal plot they'd come up with. It does make sense. For the plot against Miss Smith there is no advantage to having two men in on it. But if they were already partners, the one who came up with the idea may have felt obliged to bring the other in. They needn't be friends to be criminal partners; it may just have been necessity that brought them together in the first place.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

That's a very good point about Carruthers not having much money - very carelessly I overlooked he was probably not living within his means. There might be enough to send his daughter to boarding school for a few years - and I rather think Violet would pay any shortcoming. The daughter could holiday with Violet and Cyril.

(I call Carruther's feelings a crush, rather than love, not only for his selfishness but because he was thinking only for the short term. Suppose he had married Violet? Another case for Sherlock Holmes. If she didn't find out about Carruther's lies, Woodleigh would have blackmailed some or all of her inheritance out of him; and sooner or later Holmes would have been called in about this mysterious red headed corpse...)