A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle: A Study of Men's Condescending Views of Women in the 1800s

In the book A Scandal in Bohemia, Sherlock Holmes allows his views of women to blind him from realizing he is being manipulated by a woman in this case. He does not follow his own advice about assuming facts and his opponent during a case, after he tells Watson "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit his theories, instead of theories to suit facts.

Holmes brings the letter he has received by messenger to Watson's attention. Holmes notices the quality of the paper, and the syntax of its message and tells Watson the letter comes from a wealthy, German-speaking individual from Bohemia. Based on these details Holmes concludes that the man with the letter has given them a false name and addresses the visitor as "Your Majesty."

The king explains that the actor Irene Adler is blackmailing him, with a photograph of the two together. He severed the affair with the knowledge it was impossible for it to go any further. In the nineteenth century, anyone involved in the performing arts were thought to have loose virtues. Therefore she was a great threat to the king who is about to be married. Holmes takes the case and the chance that Irene Adler will expose the photograph she has hidden in an event of an emergency. "Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting." Holmes reasons. Holmes disguises himself as a minister and fakes injury to gain access into Irene Adler's house. Irene Adler allows him into her house and soon exposes the hiding place of the picture after Holmes creates a riot.

Holmes and the king return the next morning to Irene Adler's apartment to arrest her and find her gone. She has left a letter with the incriminating photograph telling the King she will not trouble him anymore because she has married a better man. Relieved, the king trusts her promise and offers Holmes an award. Holmes takes Irene Adler's photograph as his award and admirably remembers Irene Adler as the "The woman" who, to him was the epitome of all womanhood.

At the end, I felt Holmes was not enlightened with his views of women in general, only curious to know how he was fooled. Irene Adler is an important character that is part of literature as the only woman to fool Sherlock Holmes. This is classic book is a great interesting read for any avid mystery reader for Christmas.

Arthur Conan Doyle is a great read. Unlike, some of today's slap- dash mystery writers who leave you feeling hollow inside after reading their book; Arthur Conan Doyle should be read calmly so you are able to take in the perfect prose and imagery as you follow the case with Sherlock Holmes.