Chapter 1
For this assignment I read the first chapter in the
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, titled “A scandal in Bohemia.” The chapter opens up with Watson, a writer,
medical practitioner, and close friend of Holmes. The two of them have grown apart since Watson’s
marriage but Watson has kept tabs on the many mysteries Holmes has continued to
unravel. Holmes is described as “the
most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen,” with a
cold and precise mind that could discover what most people overlooked. One night after Watson was returning from
visiting a patient he found himself on Baker Street, where he and Holmes used
to live. He decided to pay him a visit, for he had been missing his old friend
and wanted to see how he was doing. The two talked as if no time had passed, and
Holmes was very much the same. He was still singularly introspective and subtly
glad to see Watson. Holmes introduced his latest mystery, an anonymous note
left to him asking for his assistance, with the writer of the note paying him a
visit that very night. The mysterious
visitor initially came disguised, but Holmes figured out it was Wilhelm
Gottsreich Sigismond Von Ormsten, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein and hereditary
kind of Bohemia. He came to Holmes about an Irene Adler, adventuress whom he
had been acquainted with and become intimate. The problem was that he was courted to
Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia,
at the time. They had exchanged letters and photographs in which could ruin his
future, but when he asked Irene for them back, but she has threatened to send
them on the day the marriage will be publicly announced. The chapter ends with
the soon to be King of Bohemia leaving the house, and Holmes inviting Watson
over again for the next day to discuss the case.
Personally I was very intrigued with what I read, I enjoy mystery books and Sherlock Holmes is a classic story. I also enjoyed the
movies, and that is what drew me to read the book. I am excited to find out how Holmes plan to
help the soon to be King and solve the case. The author used many of the patterns of organization, some
including chronological order, order of importance, and cause and effect. I
believe the authors intent was to tell a story.