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 detective private eye Holmes on his adventures to retrieve a damaging photograph. Inthe society Watson describes, the unmixed role of women is miniscule foremphasis focuses on angiotensin-converting enzyme wo soldiery who is the heading of Holmes detectiveinquiries. In A Scandal in Bohemia, society places women at asubordinate level pushing them to the background therefore neer allowingus, the reader, to know them. Watson describes women as second-class citizens at the start of thestory without promptly saying so. When Watson says, My make completehappiness, and home-centered interests which rise up around the man whofirst finds himself master of his own establishment were sufficientenough to shine up all my attention, (212) he declares outright that hewears the pants in the family, thence implying that his wife makes noimportant family decisions. Since Watso n is the master or ruler of hisown establishment, he insinuates that the members of his family are hisservants not his equals. Watsons wife is a trivial character, distinctlyevident because we never hear from her and never learn her name. On oneoccasion, Watson spends the night at Watsons house on Baker Streetwithout erstwhile thinking to call his wife. Watsons behavior shows whatlittle respect he has for his wife. This strident disregard for his wifesfeelings illustrates the insignificance of this muliebrity. The King of Bohemia displays another example of the lack of respect prone to women. His concerns do not center on his future wife sightlyaware of this affair but rather tarnishing his own image. The King fearsthe divine 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, tailfinattempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house.Once we amused her luggage when she traveled. Twice she has beenwaylaid. There has been no result (218). This disregard for Adlers silence questions the Kings overall motives. Does he really want 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 of import items. The femaleinstinct to nurture reflects in the personality of Irene Adler.