Subversion of Women in A Scandal in Bohemia :: Scandal in Bohemia Essays

Subversion of Women in A Scandal in Bohemia   Doyles A Scandal in Bohemia follows the story of the famous detectiveSherlock Holmes on his adventures to retrieve a damaging movie. Inthe society Watson describes, the apparent role of women is miniscule foremphasis focuses on one woman who is the object of Holmes detectiveinquiries. In A Scandal in Bohemia, society places women at asubordinate train pushing them to the background therefore never allowingus, the reader, to know them. Watson describes women as second-class citizens at the start of thestory without directly saying so. When Watson says, My own completehappiness, and home-centered interests which raising up around the man whofirst finds himself master of his own establishment were sufficientenough to absorb all my attention, (212) he declares outright that hewears the heave in the family, thus implying that his married woman makes noimportant family decisions. Since Watson is the master or ruler of hisown es tablishment, he insinuates that the members of his family are hisservants not his equals. Watsons wife is a flyspeck character, clearlyevident because we never hear from her and never learn her name. On oneoccasion, Watson spends the night at Watsons house on Baker Streetwithout one time thinking to call his wife. Watsons behavior shows whatlittle respect he has for his wife. This blatant disregard for his wifesfeelings illustrates the insignificance of this woman. The King of Bohemia displays another example of the lack of respectgiven to women. His concerns do not center on his future wife becomingaware of this affair but rather tarnishing his own image. The King fearsthe revelation of this scandalous photograph for it lies on the hands ofa woman. His interests to dominate this woman are evident in the callousactions the King directs towards Irene Adler. The King states, Fiveattempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house.Once we diverted her luggage when s he traveled. Twice she has beenwaylaid. There has been no result (218). This disregard for Adlersprivacy questions the Kings overall motives. Does he really penury thephotograph or do his actions focus on hurting Irene Adler? The King wantsthe upper hand on this beautiful, yet intelligent woman. The Kingsattitude towards his future wife and his former lover, Irene Adler fitsinto societys narrowly defined roles of women.In this society, women were the nurtures and the protectors of thechildren and what some deem as only monetarily valuable items. The femaleinstinct to nurture reflects in the personality of Irene Adler.