Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

– The narrator of the story – This story at the beginning provides an unclear image of the climax. The narrator of the story, Watson, does not explain the climax completely. However, he tells the reader about how the situation would be at the end.

– Introduction of the topic of the story – The narrator, Watson, does not provide a clear picture of the story at the beginning itself. He allows the reader to know the entire story as the situation is unfolded by itself. The reader is made to wait for a long time by the narrator.

– Introduction of the main characters in the plot – The narrator, Watson, takes hold of narration in the beginning by introducing the reader to his story. The reader gets to know the name of the narrator only when Holmes addresses Watson. As it is a first-person narrative, the reader has to wait and move on as the narrator explains the events one by one.

– Development of the plot – At the beginning of the story, Holmes explains about a person with a specific surname, and there is a requirement to find that person with that surname. He asks Watson to wait for the person who gave the task to the detective, as Holmes wants the person himself to tell him about the exact situation to his friend. John Garrideb arrives, who then explains the reason for the need for another surname. It is made clear as to why Holmes was approached by Nathan for the case, as it was John who approached Nathan for the same purpose. Finally, the story unfolds, and the truth is revealed.

– Climax – As the sequence of the events is explained, the climax is built. The clues are available for the reader to guess, but the resolution is not given by the narrator. The possibilities can be guessed by the reader. A stage arises where the story reaches a particular height where the identity of the suspect is found by Holmes and is clear of his evil motives and intentions. The reader discovers all of this once they reach the final stage.

– Resolution of the mystery – The resolution unties a comical tragedy. The reader feels both surprised and funny, thanks to the smart detective who leads the case. A clear reflection of the emotions which the reader might go through at the end of the story was already given at the beginning, but the resolution is not known. Not only is the tragedy revealed, but the other side of Sherlock Holmes and his relationship with Dr Watson is also revealed. Holme’s digressions are made clear in the end. A mystery was solved at the end.

The wittiest character of the story is Sherlock Holmes, a detective whose digressions are very funny. In between a sensitive interrogation, he asks the suspect if he appears to be English even though the suspect claims that he is an American. When Holmes explains the case to Watson at the beginning, he says that there is a chance to get more money with this case as if it is they and not the Garridebs to whom the inheritance Alexander Garrideb will be given. The style with which Holmes discusses any information is the most interesting part. He even adapts a normal style while conveying serious matters. For instance, in the beginning of the story, while Holmes explains the case to his friend Watson, he does not give away the people who are already involved in this case. He says that Nathan is already taken when Watson comes across his name in the directory. He did not tell the name of John Garrideb, who was the mastermind, until Mr Hudson came with a card which was autographed by Garrideb. So, there are many such examples which make the mystery light-hearted and provide the reader with a light diversion.