Passage 137 · 1891
"A Scandal in Bohemia"
Main effectThrough fronted prepositional perspective, copulative eternal present, italicized emphatic article, negative frequency, and compound verbs of dominance over genitive totality, Doyle creates syntax of singular obsession—grammar that performs Holmes's unique regard through categorical linguistic distinction.
Device index
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Tropes
Typographic emphasis.
Exaggeration.
Associated term for thing.
Syntax
"To Sherlock Holmes"—prepositional phrase fronted. Syntax emphasizes perspective as personal, not universal.
"she is always the woman"—present tense with frequency adverb. Syntax makes designation timeless.
Italicized "the"—definite article given typographic weight. Syntax performs uniqueness through typography.
"I have seldom heard"—present perfect with frequency adverb. Syntax emphasizes rarity through negation.
"heard him mention her"—complex verb phrase with accusative and infinitive. Syntax shows indirect reporting.
"under any other name"—prepositional phrase indicating manner. Syntax suggests other names exist but aren't used.
"In his eyes"—prepositional phrase of perception. Syntax makes evaluation visual, observational.
"eclipses and predominates"—two verbs coordinated. Syntax doubles the supremacy.
"the whole of her sex"—complex genitive. Syntax makes comparison cosmic, categorical.
Close reading
1Close Reading
Prepositional Specification
"To Sherlock Holmes"—prepositional phrase fronted. Syntax emphasizes perspective as personal, not universal.
Copulative Eternality
"she is always the woman"—present tense with frequency adverb. Syntax makes designation timeless.
Emphatic Article
Italicized "the"—definite article given typographic weight. Syntax performs uniqueness through typography.
Negative Frequency
"I have seldom heard"—present perfect with frequency adverb. Syntax emphasizes rarity through negation.
Infinitive Object
"heard him mention her"—complex verb phrase with accusative and infinitive. Syntax shows indirect reporting.
Prepositional Substitute
"under any other name"—prepositional phrase indicating manner. Syntax suggests other names exist but aren't used.
Locative Metaphor
"In his eyes"—prepositional phrase of perception. Syntax makes evaluation visual, observational.
Compound Verb Dominance
"eclipses and predominates"—two verbs coordinated. Syntax doubles the supremacy.
Genitive Totality
"the whole of her sex"—complex genitive. Syntax makes comparison cosmic, categorical.
Stylistic Effect
Through fronted prepositional perspective, copulative eternal present, italicized emphatic article, negative frequency, and compound verbs of dominance over genitive totality, Doyle creates syntax of singular obsession—grammar that performs Holmes's unique regard through categorical linguistic distinction.