Themes and message

There are three main themes in the short story “The Red-Headed League” by Arthur Conan Doyle – appearances versus reality, the bizarre and unusual, and the theme of the power of reason. All three themes are connected by the motif of the detective who uses his reason to solve problems that seem to be “outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life”.

Appearances versus reality

This theme is illustrated by John Clay and by the devious prank he plays on the innocent Jabez Wilson. A wanted criminal and a known “murderer, thief, smasher, and forger”, Clay adopts the name of Vincent Spaulding and approaches Jabez Wilson, who was looking for an assistant:

“His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he’s not such a youth, either. It’s hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?”

Because he accepts working for half wages, Wilson is pleased to accept him as his assistant. He allows Spaulding to have his quirks (such as spending too much time in the basement to develop photos) as long as the man does his job accordingly. Indeed, Spaulding takes care of the shop, but soon pranks Wilson with the “Red-Headed League”.

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The bizarre and the unusual

The entire case of Jabez Wilson belongs to the category of the bizarre and the unusual, just as Holmes states from the very beginning: “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life.”

The case of Jabez Wilson is deemed of “peculiar nature” and “refreshingly unusual”. Indeed, the entire business of the so-called Red-Headed League is mysterious and intriguing:

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The power of reason

This theme is illustrated by Sherlock Holmes and by the way in which his power of reason solves the mystery of the Red-Headed League. From the very beginning, we find out that Holmes is no ordinary man and that he pays more attention to details than other people:

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