Left behind Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
““Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was seated at the breakfast table. I stood upon the hearth-rug and picked up the stick which our visitor had left behind him the night before. It was a fine, thick piece of wood, bulbous-headed, of the sort which is known as a "Penang lawyer." Just under the head was a broad silver band nearly an inch across. "To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H.," was engraved upon it, with the date "1884." It was just such a stick as the old-fashioned family practitioner used to carry—dignified, solid, and reassuring.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1892
The passage describes Holmes’s routine and a symbolic walking stick that reflects his professional dignity and the trust placed in him.
In simple terms: Holmes’s stick shows his respectable, reliable nature.
Key Takeaway
Recognize symbols that convey trust and professionalism.
Themes
trust
professionalism
symbolism
Mood
reflective
observational
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- medical consultation
- personal introductions
- gift giving
Key Concepts
Victorian society
medical practice
detective work
Questions to Reflect On
- How do objects convey personal reputation?
- What modern items serve similar symbolic roles?
A Different Perspective
The description may romanticize the era, overlooking class disparities.
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