Manuscript of "A Scandal in Bohemia"

Manuscript of "A Scandal in Bohemia"

An image of the first page of Conan Doyle's original manuscript

This photograph shows the first page of Conan Doyle's original manuscript for "A Scandal in Bohemia." Currently the property of the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, this piece indicates the importance of Irene Adler's character to the story. Conan Doyle can be seen to have underlined the word "the" in his writing of the story's opening line "To Sherlock Holmes she is always <em>the</em> woman." This emphasis on the article "the" is carried over into later, digital reprintings of the work through the usage of italics. This emphasis on Adler's singularity in Holmes' view indicates that, from the start, Conan Doyle intended to characterize Adler as the central focus of his story, as a woman who would break the mold of femininity accepted by society at the time. The opening of Conan Doyle's short story in such a manner draws immediate attention to Adler's character, in spite of her not being named until much later, and creates questions in his audience: Who is <em>the</em> woman? Why is she so singular? What makes her so scandalous? Why will she be important to the story? And as the story goes on, it becomes abundantly clear to the audience and Holmes alike; it is no ordinary woman who could impress Sherlock Holmes to such a degree.&nbsp;

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin

Ransom Center Magazine

Unknown

University of Texas at Austin

Photograph of ink on paper

English

Manuscript