Speaking specifically about the illustration I lead my discussion on, “Her face blanched with terror,” Paget was able to easily represent family life and women’s lack of independence in his imagery. As we know, Helen and Julia Stoner are under the oppressive control of their stepfather until they can be married. Such practice was not uncommon in the Victorian era. Together, Doyle and Paget were able to clearly represent the hierarchy of the family; the paternal figure controls the home, the assets, and the bodies under “his roof.” This is established by Sir Grimesby Roylott’s desire to maintain control of the girls’ inheritance but plotting their deaths – of which the attack on Julia is successful. The illustration helps to illuminate the girls' lack of independence; they live in Roylott’s home and follow his rule. Very rarely do you hear of people seeking the aid of private detectives in the twenty-first century, and so, this leads me to question if these stories still have any relevance to the current cultural moment. Tales of crime and detection make a more relevant appearance in mediums like novels and television. They provide a form of escapism; we are able to focus on the character’s struggles and the issues they face as opposed to our own.
Submitted by Payton Flood on