UNIT 6, Part 2

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UNIT 6, Part 2 The Uncanny and Mysterious
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Unit 6, Part 2
MAIN MENU
The Uncanny and Mysterious (pages 11841229)
Click a selection title to go to the
corresponding selection menu.
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SELECTION MENU
Selection Menu (pages 11861204)
Before You Read
Reading the Selection
After You Read
Grammar Workshop
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BEFORE YOU READ
Meet Agatha Christie
Click the picture to learn about the author.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Connecting to the Story
In The Witness for the Prosecution, Agatha
Christie stays a step ahead of the reader just as
some of the characters stay a step ahead of one
another and the legal system.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Connecting to the Story
As you read, ask yourself these questions

• Is there more here than meets the eye? What is
  it?
• What unstated motives or reasons might each
  character have?

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BEFORE YOU READ
Building Background
The Witness for the Prosecution is about a man
in England who is accused of willful murder, or
what people in the United States call
premeditated, or planned, murder. At the
beginning of the story, his solicitor, or lawyer,
meets with him to learn the facts of the case.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Building Background
The solicitor must prepare to meet the arguments
of the prosecution in this case, the British
government, or Crown, which undertakes legal
action against the accused. In a British court of
law, the solicitor prepares the case, but does
not argue it at trial. That is the job of the
counsel for the defense, referred to in this
story as the K.C., or Kings Counsel.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Setting Purposes for Reading
The Uncanny and Mysterious
As you read, think about what seems convincing
and real, as well as what seems suspicious or
mysterious, about the accused man, his story, and
the woman who testifies against him.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Setting Purposes for Reading
Motivation
Motivation is the stated or implied reason or
cause for a characters actions. As you read,
notice the motivations characters attribute to
themselves, as well as those that are suggested
by one character for another.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters
When you make inferences about characters, you
use your reason and experience to figure out what
an author is not saying directly about a
character.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters
Reading Tip Taking Notes Use a chart to record
details about the characters and your inferences.
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BEFORE YOU READ
cultivate v. to encourage or further the
development of (p. 1188) Lauren cultivated
Rachels friendship by calling her every night.
pretext n. a reason or motive offered in order
to disguise real intentions (p. 1189) Jill wanted
to stay home, so she told her mother she was
sick, but that was just a pretext.
Click a vocabulary term to listen to the
definition.
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BEFORE YOU READ
amicable adj. friendly (p. 1191) George and
Tameka, who had an amicable relationship, talked
to each other every day.
recoil v. to shrink back physically or
emotionally (p. 1195) Zach recoils at the
thought of telling on his best friend.
Click a vocabulary term to listen to the
definition.
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BEFORE YOU READ
animosity n. ill will or resentment active
strong dislike or hostility (p. 1200) Jorges
animosity toward Greg showed itself in his tense
posture and scowl.
Click a vocabulary term to listen to the
definition.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious As you read, keep the
following questions in mind Who is the most
mysterious character in the story? What questions
would you ask this character if you could?
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READING THE SELECTION
Answer Answers will vary. We seem to know least
about Frenchs maid and the charwoman. You might
want to ask the maid if she was hoping Frenchs
nephew would be the principal beneficiary in the
will, or how the charwoman got a hold of the
letters.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1186. What inferences
can you make about Mayherne based on the details
so far?
Answer He appears to be a reasonable man, shrewd
but not uncaring about his client.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1186. What is Mayhernes motivation for
preparing the best possible defense?
Answer Mayhernes job as Voles lawyer is to
defend him, so he must do his best to prove
Voles innocence.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the
second paragraph on page 1187 of your textbook.
What can you infer about Vole based on this
statement?
Answer He is shrewd it is as though he is able
to read Mr. Mayhernes thoughts.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1187. Why do you think Vole includes
these details?
Answer Vole wants to make himself look
respectable to Mayherne. Vole wants to show that
he is polite, mannerly, and considerate in order
to prove his innocence.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1187. What might
Mayherne infer from Voles anger?
Answer Mayherne might infer that Vole is
justifiably angry at being accused of taking an
interest in Emily Frenchs money.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation What predictions can you make at this
point about Voles guilt or innocence in this
case?
Answer Answers will vary. Some will say that
Vole had strong motivation to kill Miss
Frenchmoney. Others, like Mayherne, will believe
Voles story and find that his sense of honor
motivated him more often than his need for money.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1189. So far, what is
mysterious to you about Voles relationship with
French?
Answer There was really no good reason for Vole
to be interested in French except for her money.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the
seventh complete paragraph on page 1189. What
can you infer about Mayherne from his reasoning
here?
Answer Mayherne wants to believe that Vole is
innocent. You could also infer that Mayherne
knows something about human psychology from his
comments about the mentality of elderly ladies.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the sixth
paragraph on page 1190 of your textbook. What can
you infer about Vole from his reaction here?
Answer Vole suddenly understands why he has been
arrested for the murderbecause he did indeed
have a motive for killing French.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1190. What does Vole say motivates
Mackenzie? What else might motivate her?
Answer Vole says Mackenzie is motivated by her
loyalty or is just confused. Mackenzie could also
be motivated by her own desire for the womans
inheritance.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the fourth complete paragraph in
the second column on page 1190 of your textbook.
Given Voles and Mackenzies possible motivations,
whose explanation do you believe?
Answer Some could believe Vole is innocent
because he seems not to have known about the
will others might wonder what motivation
Mackenzie would have for lying about his character
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1190. Which details
here might lead you to infer that Vole is telling
the truth?
Answer Vole acts as if he truly is a man who has
identified the evidence that will prove his
innocence.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the first column
on page 1192. Does the situation Mayherne
describes seem mysterious to you?
Answer Some might find it odd that a married man
would visit an unmarried woman whom he has
described as one who takes violent fancies to
people. Some might think it perfectly natural for
Vole to visit French alone if he saw her as a
motherly figure.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1192. How does this information suggest a
motivation for murder?
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Answer If Vole did know that French wanted to
marry him, he might have believed that the only
way he could get her money was to marry heror
kill her. Christie, through Mayherne, brings up
one motivation after another that Vole may have
had to kill French.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1192. How does Vole hold up under these
accusations?
Answer He reacts emotionally but then becomes
rational. The way his logical arguments win out
over his emotional reactions may be one reason
Mr. Mayherne believes he is innocent.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1193. Vole just said he and his wife had
no maid. What motivation might he have for not
mentioning this charwoman?
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Answer Perhaps the charwoman knows something
incriminating about Vole that he doesnt want
Mayherne to know. Also, if Vole was motivated to
lie about the maid in order to hide incriminating
evidence, perhaps he is hiding other evidence as
well.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1193. What is so
mysterious to Mayherne about this woman?
Answer She looks exotic, she acts strange, and
she is very quiet. Mayherne is unsettled by her.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1193. What is it
exactly that he does not understand about Voles
wife?
Answer Perhaps he is unsure of understanding
someone from a different culture, or perhaps he
is intimidated by her beauty.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1194. What is
Mayherne most likely to infer from these
questions?
Answer Mayherne is most likely to infer that the
woman wants to protect Vole.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the last paragraph on page 1194
of your textbook. What might motivate Romaine to
make such a statement?
Answer She has decided not to ally herself with
her husband, a fact she communicates by her
demeaning tone and her use of the word stupid
to describe Vole and perhaps Mayherne for allying
himself with her husband and/or for believing his
story.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1195. What is the womans motivation for
making this statement?
Answer She wants Mayherne to know that she has
no real motive for protecting Vole and that she
may have a motive for despising him.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1195. What inferences
can you draw about Mayhernes character based on
this comment?
Answer You may say that Mayherne, rightly or
wrongly, trusts his intuition. You may also say
that he remains firm about his beliefs in spite
of new information.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1196. What motivation does Mackenzie have
for pinning the crime on Vole?
Answer Mackenzie is attached to Frenchs
nephew perhaps she fancies marrying him after he
inherits Frenchs money.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1197. What inference
might you make about this woman, based on her
appearance?
Answer You might say that there is something
wrong with her face or that she does not want
Mayherne to see who she is.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1197. What can you
tell about Mayherne by his reaction to the face?
Answer While he thinks kindly of handsome,
well-spoken people, he is automatically
prejudiced against the poor and disfigured.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the first paragraph on page 1198
of your textbook. What is Mayhernes motivation
for giving the woman so much less money than she
had asked for?
Answer He knows that she is poor and is
counting on the fact that she wont be able to
resist the money he is offering.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1198. What is
mysterious about this woman, the circumstances,
and the letters?
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READING THE SELECTION
Answer Note that the woman appears out of
nowhere, that Mayherne doesnt know who she
really is or even what she looks like, and that
the place where she meets Mayherne may or may not
be her real address. Furthermore, the letters
could be real or fake, and the person to whom
they were written could be real or fake.
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READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1199. What remains a
mystery to Meyherne?
Answer Mayherne does not understand the nature
of the relationship between Vole and Heilger. He
thinks that Vole has done something terrible to
Heilger but that he will never know what.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the first
paragraph in the second column on page 1199 of
your textbook. What conclusions do you draw here
about Janet Mackenzie?
Answer You may say that you believe she made up
the negative information about Vole, or you may
say that she was indeed telling the truth about
Vole but was bullied on the witness stand.
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READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1199. How does the
trial depicted here resemble the trial in The
Witness for the Prosecution?
Answer Answers will vary.
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READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1200. Does this
depiction of Coventry remind you of the storys
setting? Why or why not?
Answer Answers will vary.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1200. Why would Heilgers lawyer have
preferred a more unbiased testimony?
Answer The lawyer senses that there is
something fake or overdone in such negative
testimony.
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READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Motivation Read the text highlighted in purple
on page 1200. How might an unbiased witness
affect the jurys motivation in such a trial?
Answer The jury might be more apt to believe a
witness who is evenhanded rather than one who
seems to have a score to settle.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the
first three paragraphs in the second column on
page 1200. What does it tell you about Heilger
that she denies the charges against her in this
manner?
Answer Her attitude shows a certain arrogance,
as though she is challenging the barrister to
produce evidence against her.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the
first column on page 1201. What is Mayherne
beginning to infer about Heilger?
Answer That she is assuming different
personalities to suit the situation.
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READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Making Inferences About Characters Read the text
highlighted in blue on page 1201. What inferences
did Heilger make about both the jury and Mayherne?
Answer She inferred that they would be more
likely to believe a story about an affair and a
murder than to believe a loving wife.
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READING THE SELECTION
Writers Technique
Narration Read the first complete paragraph on
page 1201. Why might the author choose to narrate
so much rather than provide dialogue at this
point in the story?
Answer The reader knows all the background at
this point, so to go through it all again in
court would be tedious.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Respond

1. Were you fooled? Explain.

Answer Answers will vary.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) What crime is Leonard Vole accused of? (b)
   How does Vole convince Mr. Mayherne that he did
   not commit the crime?

Answer (a) Of the murder of French (b) By acting
naïve and by behaving like a gentleman
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) Who is Romaine Heilger? (b) Why does
   Mayhernes first meeting with her startle him?

Answer (a) The woman Vole calls his wife,
actually his unmarried actress companion (b) She
is mysterious and exotic she takes control and
is not what he expected.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) What happens when Heilger testifies at the
   trial? (b) How does the jury respond to Vole
   during the trial? Explain.

Answer (a) Heilger creates a sensation by being
a witness for the prosecution. (b) At first, the
jury believes him, then the angry Heilger, then
the evidence conveyed by the letters.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. From beginning to end, the facts are against
   Vole, and yet Christie convinces most readers to
   think of him as innocent. How does she do this?

Answer Christie portrays Vole as a gentleman who
shows no anger, pettiness, or obvious deception
and Mayherne as a decent man who believes in Vole.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. (a) Why does Christie cast Voles companion as an
   actress? (b) How well does Heilger perform as a
   witness for the prosecution?

Answer (a) An actress could deceive the jury and
Mayherne. (b) She convinces everyone except
perhaps the prosecutor.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. (a) Is Mayherne a believable character? Cite
   evidence from the text to support your opinion.
   (b) Who, in your opinion, had a better knowledge
   of the legal system and English court
   proceedings Mayherne or Heilger? Explain.

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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate
Answer (a) Answers will vary. You should support
your views. (b) Mayherne has legal knowledge and
court experience Heilger knows human nature.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Connect
The Uncanny and Mysterious

1. From reading this story, do you think Christie
   deserves to be called the Queen of Crime?
   Explain.

Answer You should support your opinions with
evidence from the text.
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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Connect
The Uncanny and Mysterious

1. What mysteries remain unanswered at the end of
   the story?

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AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Connect
The Uncanny and Mysterious
Answer Who plotted Frenchs death (Vole,
Heilger, or both), when and how the plot began,
and whether Heilger can be arrested for perjury
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AFTER YOU READ
Motivation
In a mystery, a reader has no choice but to pay
attention to the suggestions made or implied by
the author or characters, about other characters
motivations. Every character in this story
typically has at least one transparent or implied
motive, from the mysterious Misses Mogson to
the gullible Mr. Mayherne.
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AFTER YOU READ
Motivation

1. (a) What is Heilgers lone hand? (b) What
   is her motivation for playing it? (c) Is this
   motivation stated or implied? (d) How does
   Heilgers real motivation differ from motivations
   that other characters state, suggest, or infer?

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AFTER YOU READ
Motivation
Answer (a) Her lone hand is her plan to perform
both in court and at Shaws Rents. (b) She wants
Leonard Vole to be acquitted. (c) Implied (d)
Mayherne, the narrator, and the reader may see
Heilger as motivated by hatred early in the story.
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AFTER YOU READ
Motivation

1. (a) What motivates the jury to acquit Vole? (b)
   What motivates Mayherne to visit Heilger after
   the acquittal?

Answer (a) The unmasking of Heilgers testimony
as false rather than any certainty of Voles
innocence (b) His noticing the same curious
fist-clenching habit in the witness for the
prosecution and in the woman at Shaws Rents
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AFTER YOU READ
Review Style
As you learned on pages 11821183, style is
composed of the expressive qualities that
distinguish an authors work, including word
choice and the length and arrangement of
sentences, as well as the use of figurative
language and imagery. In The Witness for the
Prosecution, diction, or word choice, reflects
the authors culture, a primarily
upper-middle-class British world.
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AFTER YOU READ
Review Style
Partner Activity With a partner, find several
examples of Voles polite, sophisticated speech.
Write alternative, more plain-speaking, or
working-class ways in which Vole might have
expressed the same thoughts. Then discuss what
effect Voles diction has on Mayherne.
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AFTER YOU READ
Review Style
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AFTER YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters
The conflicts between characters help a reader to
make inferences about them. Consider what you can
infer based on the following conflicts described
on the following slides.
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AFTER YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters

1. Vole says his wife loves him. Voles wife says
   she hates him. What inference can you draw from
   this conflict? What inference does Mayherne draw?

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AFTER YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters
Answer (a) That Voles wife bears a secret
grudge or that Vole is a liar Mayherne infers
that there is something inexplicable about Voles
wife.
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AFTER YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters

1. The narrator experiences an internal conflict.
   What is it? What does it tell you about Mayherne?
   About Vole? about Heilger?

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AFTER YOU READ
Making Inferences About Characters
Answer The narrator sees through Mayhernes eyes
and sides with Vole but senses intermittently
that details arent quite right. This conflict
reveals that Mayherne forges ahead even though he
feels uncertain, that Voles story is not
convincing, and that Heilger is not who she seems
to be.
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AFTER YOU READ
Practice
Practice with Synonyms Find a synonym for each
vocabulary word. Use a dictionary or thesaurus if
you need help.
84
AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. cultivate

1. encourage
2. destroy

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AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. pretext

1. display
2. excuse

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AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. amicable

1. friendly
2. guilty

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AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. recoil

1. shrink
2. hug

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AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. animosity

1. hatred
2. complexity

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AFTER YOU READ
Academic Vocabulary
These words will help you think, write, and talk
about the selection.
instruct v. to teach or direct
incentive n. something that acts as a motivator
or causes someone to take a particular action
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AFTER YOU READ
Academic Vocabulary
Practice and Apply

1. What would you instruct Mayherne to do the next
   time he defends an accused murderer?

Answer To look more closely at the motive and
obvious clues
91
AFTER YOU READ
Academic Vocabulary
Practice and Apply

1. What does Vole name as his incentive for visiting
   French?

Answer Kindliness toward an older woman
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AFTER YOU READ
Writing About Literature
Analyze Point of View To write The Witness for
the Prosecution, Agatha Christie chose the
third-person limited point of view she describes
the events as only Mr. Mayherne experiences them.
How does this point of view increase suspense and
help create the plot twist? Write a brief essay
in which you explain the effect of the
third-person limited point of view on the reader.
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AFTER YOU READ
Writing About Literature
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AFTER YOU READ
Writing About Literature
As you draft, be sure to create an introductory
paragraph that includes your thesis about the
effect of the third-person limited point of view.
Create one or more body paragraphs to support
your thesis and end with a formal conclusion.
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AFTER YOU READ
Writing About Literature
After you complete your draft, have a peer read
it and suggest revisions. Then proofread and edit
your work for errors in spelling, grammar, and
punctuation.
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AFTER YOU READ
Performing
Working with a partner, choose, practice, and
perform one of the interrogation scenes.
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AFTER YOU READ
Performing
Imagine and re-create the mannerisms, body
language, and other details that help characters
appear as if they are telling the truth, and that
show the lawyers responses, including his
confusion and suspicions. Then watch the film
version of the story and compare the performances
with those of you and your partner.
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AFTER YOU READ
Christies Language and Style
Using Ellipses Three times in her story,
Christie uses an ellipsis, a mark of punctuation
used by narrative writers to show that a thought
or conversation is trailing off. An ellipsis can
also signal what is left unsaid or is too
terrible to be said.
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AFTER YOU READ
Christies Language and Style
Using Ellipses In some cases, however, it merely
shows the process of silent thinking between
words, as in this example
At half past nine, said Leonard Vole. At half
past nine . . . He sprang to his feet. But
then Im savedsaved
100
AFTER YOU READ
Christies Language and Style
Using Ellipses Study the two additional examples
of ellipses used in The Witness for the
Prosecution on the next slide.
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AFTER YOU READ
Christies Language and Style
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AFTER YOU READ
Christies Language and Style
Activity Substitute an ellipsis for two other
marks of punctuation in two different excerpts
from the story. Use one ellipsis to show silent
thinking between words or a dramatic pause use
another to show a thought that is too terrible to
state or that simply trails off.
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AFTER YOU READ
Revising Check Ellipses
If you used an ellipsis to show a thought that
trails off in your essay about point of view in
The Witness for the Prosecution, replace it
with a period or another appropriate end mark.
Ellipses are rarely acceptable in expository
writing instead, use them sparingly in narration.
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SELECTION MENU
Selection Menu (pages 12061229)
Before You Read
Reading the Selection
After You Read
Vocabulary Workshop
106
BEFORE YOU READ
Meet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Click the picture to learn about the author.
107
BEFORE YOU READ
Connecting to the Story
This is an example of a classic mystery, which
requires the storys hero, the detective, to
solve the crime before it can be repeated.
108
BEFORE YOU READ
Connecting to the Story
Before you read the story, think about the
following questions

• Have you ever encountered a mysterious situation?
• Have you had to take quick action in order to
  prevent something bad from happening?

109
BEFORE YOU READ
Building Background
In Sherlock Holmess first adventure, A Study in
Scarlet, Holmes says to his friend Dr. Watson,
There are few people, . . . who, if you told
them a result, would be able to evolve from their
own inner consciousness what the steps were which
led up to that result. This power is what I mean
when I talk of reasoning backwards, or
analytically.
110
BEFORE YOU READ
Building Background
Holmess practice of reasoning backwards to
solve crimes comes from the deductive method
described by French philosopher René Descartes in
the seventeenth century. Descartes argued that
the best way to solve a problem is to divide it
into smaller parts whose causes can be explained
logically. Using deduction, probability, and
hypothesis, Sherlock Holmes always managed to
solve crime.
111
BEFORE YOU READ
Setting Purposes for Reading
The Uncanny and Mysterious
As you read this short story, notice the details
that help to create an eerie, mysterious mood.
112
BEFORE YOU READ
Setting Purposes for Reading
Character Archetype
A character archetype is a pattern that
determines the role and behavior of a certain
character. In The Adventure of the Speckled
Band, Sherlock Holmes is the archetypal
detective. Doyles depiction of Holmes in this
and other stories has become the pattern, or
archetype, for countless other fictional
detectives.
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BEFORE YOU READ
Analyzing Details
Analyzing details means asking what the details
in a piece of writing suggest. When reading a
mystery story such as The Adventure of the
Speckled Band, it is especially important to
notice details, which often point toward the
solution. As you read this story, make note of
the details you think will be especially
important in solving the crime.
114
BEFORE YOU READ
Analyzing Details
Reading Tip Examining Each Detail Individually
It might be helpful to examine the details in
this story one-by-one as you read. Use a chart
like the one shown on the next slide to help you
organize your analysis.
115
BEFORE YOU READ
Analyzing Details
116
BEFORE YOU READ
livid adj. bruised (p. 1214) Both his knees
were livid after the fall.
amiable adj. good-humored easy to get along
with (p. 1217) He was amiable and talked to
everyone at the party.
invaluable adj. priceless (p. 1221) Good
friends are invaluable in a crisis.
Click a vocabulary term to listen to the
definition.
117
BEFORE YOU READ
erroneous adj. inaccurate wrong (p. 1224) Even
after all the research, he still came up with an
erroneous conclusion.
insufficient adj. not enough (p.1224) She
brought only twelve cupcakes, which proved
insufficient for the fourteen children.
Click a vocabulary term to listen to the
definition.
118
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119
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious As you read, keep the
following question in mind. What are some
mysterious characteristics of the situation?
Answer Julias unusual death is a mystery. The
sounds Helen hears at night add to the mystery.
The setting of Holmess investigation adds to the
mysterious feel of the story as well.
120
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1208. What does this statement say
about Holmess character?
Answer Holmes is interested mainly in cases that
he finds interesting, not the easy or boring ones.
121
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1209. What does this
description of the potential client suggest about
the mystery?
Answer The woman must be very nervous or
afraid, so the mystery must be something
important or life-threatening.
122
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1209. Why has Doyle included these
details about the womans appearance?
Answer They show that the woman has had a hard
life or has lived through a fright.
123
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1209. Why might Watson describe
Holmess glance in this way?
Answer Holmes can gather a great deal of
information just by looking at someone, because
he takes in all the details.
124
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1210. What does this sentence
suggest about the womans stepfather?
Answer The womans stepfather has a bad temper
and is capable of violence.
125
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1211. Why do you think Doyle has
mentioned the stepfathers love of Indian animals?
Answer Although this detail seems unimportant at
first, it might be a clue that will help readers
and Holmes solve the mystery.
126
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1211. Why would Holmes make this
request?
Answer Holmes needs all the specific details in
order to complete his analysis of the crime.
127
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1212. What does this detail reveal
about the womans emotional state?
Answer The woman did not feel safe in her home.
You may speculate that her apprehension was due
not just to the animals but also to the
stepfather.
128
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1212. How would you
react if a mandrill or baboon were loose in your
neighborhood?
Answer Answers will vary. Some may think that
mandrills are relatively harmless. Others may be
deathly afraid of large animals.
129
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1213. Why would Holmes say that this
detail is important?
Answer This detail means the woman saw or heard
something that awakened her before her death.
130
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1213. Does Edward
Cross seem similar to or different from Dr.
Roylott? Explain.
Answer Both men are privileged collectors of
wild animals. Edward Cross looks content, whereas
Dr. Roylott was known as a cantankerous hermit.
131
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1214. How does this
fact add to the mystery of Julias death?
Answer The lack of marks of violence means
finding the cause of death is more difficult.
132
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1214. What does the revelation of
this detail reveal about the woman and her
stepfather?
Answer This injury indicates that the woman has
been mistreated by her stepfather and that the
stepfather is capable of violence toward his
stepdaughters.
133
READING THE SELECTION
Writers Technique
Allusions Why does Doyle use the term allusion to
describe Julias dying statement about the
speckled band?
Answer Doyle calls Julias statement an
allusion because she states it as if Helen should
understand the statement.
134
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1215. Why does the
woman need to wear a dark veil?
Answer She is trying to keep her visit a
secret, probably from her stepfather. The veil
helps disguise her appearance and adds to the
mysterious feel of the story.
135
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1215. How does this
painting by Monet show a concern for changes
brought on by industrialization and modernization?
Answer Steam trains were a favored subject of
many Impressionist artists because they were a
potent symbol for the industrial revolution that
was quickly reshaping daily life in Europe.
136
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1216. How does this character
compare to the archetypal image of the villain?
Answer Villains are usually portrayed as large,
imposing, and ugly.
137
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1216. What mood does
this painting evoke? Does it match the feeling
that Miss Helen Stoner experiences when she goes
to bed?
Answer This painting evokes a mood of
relaxation. The sky and room are calm and filled
with white light the curtains are open. This
contrasts with the anxiety that Miss Helen Stoner
feels.
138
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the text highlighted in
blue on page 1217. What does this detail suggest
about Holmes?
Answer Holmes is equal in strength to Dr.
Roylott even though he did not wish to challenge
the man in a physical confrontation.
139
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the first text
highlighted in blue on page 1218. How does this
detail reveal Miss Stoners state of mind?
Answer Miss Stoner is terrified of her
stepfather.
140
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the second text
highlighted in blue on page 1218. Why does Doyle
provide these detailed descriptions of Dr.
Roylotts house?
Answer These details indicate that Dr. Roylott
does not have enough money to keep his estate in
good repair.
141
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the second text
highlighted in blue on page 1218. Why might this
information be important?
Answer If Helens stepfather does not have much
money, he could have a motive for wanting to harm
Julia and Helen.
142
READING THE SELECTION
Writers Technique
Similes Read the fifth paragraph on the second
column on page 1218. Why does Doyle use similes
in the story?
Answer Similes give readers a better picture of
what the author is trying to describe.
143
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1219. What does Holmess refusal
reveal about his character?
Answer Holmes does not want to waste time on
other rooms instead, he focuses only on what is
important to the investigation.
144
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1219. What does this
painting seem to suggest about industrialization?
Answer The view of nature, so prevalent in
painting of the Romantic period, has been
completely consumed by the cold, gray steel of a
modern bridge. The characters are masculine,
faceless, and seem ill-at-ease and bemused in
this unnatural environment.
145
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the first text
highlighted in tan on page 1220. Why might this
discovery be important in solving the mystery?
Answer The connecting of the two rooms with the
ventilator was done on purpose, so it is likely
to be a clue to solving the mystery.
146
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the second text
highlighted in tan on page 1220. What does this
statement suggest about Holmess progress toward
solving the mystery?
Answer Holmes has already figured out the
solution to the mystery, even though he has
chosen not to reveal the answer yet.
147
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Dialogue Read the second to last paragraph on
page 1120 of your textbook. How does the dialogue
move the plot along?
Answer The dialogue points out the clues Holmes
is going to use to solve the case.
148
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1221. Why would Holmes refuse to
tell Miss Stoner about his suspicions at this
point in his investigations?
Answer Holmes wants to have all the facts
before giving an answer. He does not want to be
wrong.
149
READING THE SELECTION
Reading Strategy
Analyzing Details Read the second paragraph in
the second column on page 1221 of your textbook.
What does this speech tell you about Helen?
Answer Obviously, she wants to know what
happened to her sister. She also resists the idea
of her stepfathers being the culprit.
150
READING THE SELECTION
Language History
Tangible Read the sentence containing the word
tangible in the third paragraph in the second
column on page 1221.The word tangible comes from
the Latin word tangere, which means to touch.
Doyle uses the word to refer to a concrete cause,
meaning something that has substance. Why would a
word meaning to touch be used in this way?
151
READING THE SELECTION
Language History
Answer Something a person can touch has to have
substance and has to be grounded in reality.
152
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1222. What is Holmes saying about
himself and about Watson in this statement?
Answer Holmes is saying that he can learn a lot
by looking at these details, unlike Watson, who
sees the details but does not draw conclusions
about them.
153
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1222. Does this
depiction of a garden remind you of the storys
setting? Why or why not?
Answer You may mention the storys rural setting
in England.
154
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the first text
highlighted in tan on page 1223. How does this
event add to the mood of the story?
Answer The event adds to the mood of the bizarre
and unexpected that pervades the story.
155
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the first text
highlighted in tan on page 1223. What other
elements of this passage add to the mysterious
mood of the story?
Answer the dark road, chilled wind, one yellow
light, broken wall
156
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the second text
highlighted in tan on page 1223. How do these
details help create a feeling of suspense?
Answer Holmes and Watson are waiting tensely in
the dark. Every sound of the night has an eerie,
exaggerated quality that increases their feelings
of anxious suspense.
157
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the text highlighted in
purple on page 1224. What character trait of
Holmess does this statement illustrate?
Answer It shows Holmess bravery and ability to
be prepared for anything.
158
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the third complete
paragraph on page 1224. What is the mood of the
passage now?
Answer More suspenseful because the readers
feel that danger is near
159
READING THE SELECTION
Literary Element
Character Archetype Read the third complete
paragraph on page 1224. What elements contribute
to the passages mood?
Answer The scream, Holmess grave expression,
and his call to Watson to get his pistol
160
READING THE SELECTION
The Uncanny and Mysterious Read the text
highlighted in tan on page 1225. What does this
revelation say about Holmes and his
mystery-solving abilities?
Answer Holmes can make deductions even without
seeing the place of the crime, and he can use
small clues other people miss to come up with
solutions.
161
READING THE SELECTION
Viewing the Art
Look at the painting on page 1225. Does the woman
in the painting seem to have a demeanor similar
to that of Miss Helen Stoner?
Answer Miss Helen Stoner is much more frantic
than this woman, who seems rather calm and
composed.
162
(No Transcript)
163
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Respond

1. Were you surprised by the mysterys solution?
   Explain.

Answer Answers will vary.
164
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) Before her death, how was Julias life about
   to change? (b) Why is this detail important to
   the story?

Answer (a) Julia was going to be married. (b) If
Helen and Julia married, their stepfather would
lose control of the money their mother had left
them.
165
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) As he examines Miss Stoners sisters room,
   what two unusual elements does Holmes discover?
   (b) How do these two elements relate to the
   mysterys solution?

166
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret
Answer (a) The dummy bell and the ventilator
connecting Julias room to her stepfathers room
(b) The snake traveled to Julias room through
the ventilator and used the dummy bell as a
bridge to her bed.
167
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Recall and Interpret

1. (a) What do Holmes and Watson do in Miss Stoners
   sisters room that night? (b) Why does Holmes
   consider their actions dangerous?

Answer (a) Sit in complete darkness and silence
(b) Holmes thinks that he and Watson might become
victims if they do not act swiftly enough.
168
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. (a) How does Doyle demonstrate Holmess deductive
   abilities early in the story? (b) Why would this
   display of Holmess abilities be important for
   readers?

169
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate
Answer (a) Holmes can tell just by looking at
the woman that she has traveled by train and by
dog-cart. (b) It shows why Holmes is considered
an impressive detective and why this desperate
woman would have sought him out for help. It also
encourages readers to focus on the details Holmes
emphasizes.
170
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. (a) From the clues in the story, what type of man
   is Dr. Roylott? (b) Why did Doyle choose these
   characteristics for Dr. Roylott?

171
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate
Answer (a) A trained doctor with a quick and
violent temper and little money, who keeps
animals from India (b) They create a sinister
character with a motive for murder and give
readers a reason to suspect him of the crime. His
volatile nature also creates tension in the
story, as the reader wonders if Holmes can solve
the crime before he strikes again.
172
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate

1. (a) How does Holmes determine what happened to
   Julia? (b) Why were Miss Stoner and Watson unable
   to draw the same conclusion on their own?

173
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Analyze and Evaluate
Answer (a) He studies her room and her
stepfathers room finds a few clues, such as the
ventilator and the saucer of milk and deduces
what happened. (b) They are neither as observant
as Holmes nor as capable of forming hypotheses
from seemingly insignificant details.
174
AFTER YOU READ
Responding and Thinking Critically
Connect
The Uncanny and Mysterious

1. Sherlock Holmes is often regarded as the greatest
   fictional detective of all time. From the
   evidence in this story, why do you think people
   give him this title?

Answer Answers will vary, but you should point
out how quickly he solved the mystery.
175
AFTER YOU READ
Character Archetype
In certain literary genres, character archetypes
are used to develop a character that is familiar
to the reader. An archetypal character creates
certain expectations in the reader, and as a
result, the writer can spend more time developing
an intricate plot and less time developing
character.
176
AFTER YOU READ
Character Archetype

1. Describe the traits that make Sherlock Holmes the
   archetypal detective.

Answer Obsessively attentive to detail, not
fearful of villains, cautious, curious, and
logical
177
AFTER YOU READ
Character Archetype

1. Give two examples of other fictional detectives
   and describe which traits they share with
   Sherlock Holmes.

Answer Answers will vary, but may include
Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christies novels,
Dick Tracy, Columbo, Perry Mason, Batman, Monk,
Dr. House, or the characters from Law Order,
CSI, and The Closer.
178
AFTER YOU READ
Review Tone
As you learned on page 252, tone reflects the
authors attitude toward his or her character and
subject. Word choice, sentence structure, and
figurative language can help you determine the
authors tone. In this story, how does the tone
of Watsons narrative reveal Doyles attitude
toward Sherlock Holmes?
179
AFTER YOU READ
Review Tone
Partner Activity With a partner, look for
examples in the story that help you identify
Doyles attitude towards his main character. Use
a chart like the one on the next slide to help
you get started.
180
AFTER YOU READ
Review Tone
181
AFTER YOU READ
Analyzing Details
In a mystery story, no detail is unimportant.
Mystery authors often use two types of details
those that will help readers solve the mystery
and those that will lead readers astray.
182
AFTER YOU READ
Analyzing Details
Because details are so important to the plot of a
mystery, they must be included carefully and at
specific points in the action. Details revealed
too early could give away the ending details
revealed too late may cause frustration or loss
of interest in the reader.
183
AFTER YOU READ
Analyzing Details

1. Cite two details in this story that contribute to
   the mysterys solution. Where in the story are
   these two details introduced?

184
AFTER YOU READ
Analyzing Details
Answer The stepfathers lack of money, the
ventilator, the dummy bell, the saucer of milk,
the looped whip-cord, the stepfathers love of
Indian animals, and the stepfathers history of
violence, among others
185
AFTER YOU READ
Analyzing Details

1. Explain why each of the details is introduced at
   that particular point in the plot.

Answer The clues in the beginning are meant to
lead readers toward a certain suspect while the
clues at the end are meant to show how the crime
took place.
186
AFTER YOU READ
Practice
Practice with Word Parts Choose the best
definition for each vocabulary word below, using
your knowledge of word parts. Use a dictionary if
you need help.
187
AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. amiable

1. good-humored
2. unfriendly
3. prickly

188
AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. invaluable

1. of little value
2. priceless
3. lacking value

189
AFTER YOU READ
Practice

1. erroneous

1. inaccurate
2. correct
3. complex

190
AFTER YOU READ
Academic Vocabulary
These words will help you think, write, and talk
about the selection.
generate v. to produce or develop
incidence n. the rate at which something happens
191
AFTER YOU READ
Academic Vocabulary
Practice