The Speckled Band: The Jungle Within (PG)

[vaysh]

Canon Story: The Speckled Band
Title: The Jungle Within
Author: vaysh
Rating: PG
Words: 60
Author's Notes: I invented the name of Roylott's wife and Helen's mother – Lillian – as no first name is given in the story.


India had become his home – the heat hotter than his temper, beasts wilder than his rage. After Lilian's death he had tried to rein it in. But the tiger was always pushing, always clawing. He had brought India to Stoke Moran – her animals, the travelling folk. They soothed him, let him be. He could no longer live outside the jungle.

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Very interesting take on the story.

[vaysh]

Thank you. I wrote this drabble before I read what others created for this story, and I was amazed how many drabbles and clerihews are focused on Dr. Grimesby Roylott. He is, despite his murderous character, a fascinating character in the story, I find.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

What an excellently thought and written story - in 60 words, too.

Thank you, also, for pointing out why Roylott encouraged the gypsies. I hadn't seen it before, and found it puzzling.

[vaysh]

Thank you for your very kind words. The gypsies are a very odd part of the story, I find, especially seen from our age today, with a hopefully less racist view on the Roma and Sinti.

As for the drabble's central thought, I found this quote from "The Speckled Band" intriguing: Violence of temper approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been intensified by his long residence in the tropics.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

What a fascinating character study - it really does feel as though you've given us a glimpse into his disturbed mind.

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

What a fascinating point of view! It just goes to show there are two sides (at least) to every story. Perhaps today Roylott would be given medication and therapy to deal with all that anger, and things never would have got to the point they did!

[debriswoman]

That presents a slightly more sympathetic view of his state of mind, and the reason for it. Not excusing his behaviour, but an explanation.

Very well done:-)