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2. The Status of Englishwomen in Sherlock Holmes Stories
After analyzing the representation of Victorian women in Sherlock Holmes stories the writer also found that women from upper class and middle
class are in focus of Sherlock Holmes stories. Arthur Conan Doyle use them in Sherlock Holmes stories to advance the perception of the English as the elite,
and all other cultures as lesser. In Sherlock Holmes stories women whom showed stealing,
blackmailing, bullying and killing such as Irene Adler and Isadora Klein are not Englishwomen. Irene Adler is from America and Isadora Klein is from
Spain. It makes the reader think that English have the better culture and moral than the other countries.
The other comparison between Englishwoman and other country woman can be seen from Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope character and Miss
Hatty Doran Character. Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope is presented as perfectly level headed. The direct contrast between these women of different and
conflicting nationalities intentionally serves to portray the Englishwoman, and the English as a whole, as the elite. Contrary with Miss Hatty Doran, a woman
from California, America, the characterization of Miss Hatty Doran is that of a seemingly vanished bride and is a portrayal of a woman who is: new age, has
a mind of her own, manipulative, tomboyish, and self-sufficient. This type of woman is not one who is likely to be accepted among the Victorian English
society, and in fact it is probable that had Miss Hatty Doran not been engaged to a noblemen her world-view would have resulted in her being ostracized.
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It is no coincidence that Arthur Conan Doyle attributes the above characteristics to an American woman in his stories. Miss Hatty Doran is then
contrasted with her English maid, Flora Millar, who despite aiding and abetting the disappearance of Miss Hatty Doran, is presented as loyal and
sympathetic while also virtuous. In the other story, even though Miss Burnet is an Englishwoman who
did criminality. She did it to revenge and protects herself. Conan Doyle gave exception to Englishwomen who did criminality. While both women
committed acts unbecoming of women, and certainly less that truthful form the onset, the Englishwoman is written by Arthur Conan Doyle to gain the
audience’s sympathy and forgiveness. Therefore, in Sherlock Holmes stories, Conan Doyle wants represented Victorian women are better than others.
C. Data Analysis Table
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