Plot
If Mr. Henry Baker had accepted the goose parts, what do you think might have happened next in the story?
Sherlock would get suspicious of Mr. Henry Baker, and would've tried to find out if he knew the gem was in the goose or not.
What does the simile “as cozy as two people can be” help you understand about Alec Fairbarn and Mary’s relationship?
It tells you that Mary now liked Alec Fairbarn better than Jim Browner, and so they might fall in love and it made Jim Browner jealous.
Do you think Watson should still help Sherlock even if it is risky? Why or Why not?
Yes, because Sherlock needs Watson's help to find out where Irene Adler hid the picture or No, because it puts Watson in danger and he could get caught and arrested, which would be very bad for both Sherlock and Watson.
How does the fact that the geese were raised in town affect what happens in the story?
It affects what happened because if they were country raised, Sherlock would be right, and they wouldn't learn where they came from. Since they were town raised and Sherlock Holmes was insisting they were country raised, Mr. Breckinridge had to prove they were town-raised and show them where he had gotten them.
How would the story be different if the woman had given her brother the correct black pin tailed goose? Explain what might change.
The man, Jim Ryder, would have the gem for the maid. This would not be good, as it would mean that the maid and Jim Ryder would have pulled off a successful heist.
How does the simile “held the heat like an oven” help you imagine the temperature in Holmes’ and Watson’s home?
It tells the reader that it was very hot inside Sherlock Holmes' and Watson's house on Baker Street.
How does Irene Adler tricking Sherlock Holmes help you understand her character?
It helps you understand that Irene Adler is not only pretty, but she is very clever, and understands that she can be easily fooled if she is not careful. So she is sharp too. Her tricking Sherlock proves she is clever and sharp.
How does the fact that the items used to deliver the parcel came from the sea help explain the mystery?
It explains that the items must have come from either a sailor or other person who works near the sea.
How does knowing what the ears were preserved in help the characters solve the mystery?
The ears were preserved in salt, so it meant the ears had come from someone who lived near the sea, like Jim Brown the sailor.
How does the simile “angry as a hornet” help you picture Jim Ryder’s feelings when he found out there were two black-tailed ganders?
It tells the reader he was upset that his sister didn't tell him there were two black tailed ganders, as the gem he needed was in one of them, but she gave him the other one.
Do you think Sarah is partly responsible for Jim Browner committing the crime? Explain why or why not.
Yes, because she told Mary bad rumors about Jim Browner and made Mary fall in love with Alec Fairbarn, or No, because Jim Browner got jealous and he is the one responsible for the crime.
Imagine the sisters had never lived together. How might the story be different?
The parcel would be delivered to the right sister, so her name would be in the papers, and the medical student would never be blamed.
How does the mistake of sending the ears to the wrong person help the mystery begin?
It makes it start because it is in the newspapers and Sherlock Holmes noticed it, and his friend asked him to help. It also helps Sherlock solve the mystery.
How does the hyperbole “My father would die of shame” help you imagine Jim Ryder’s father’s reaction?
It helps the reader imagine that Jim Ryder's father would be intensely disappointed and shamed if his son was arrested for theft of the blue gem.
How does Jim Ryder asking Holmes to keep his secret help you to understand what kind of person he is?
It helps the reader understand that he is not very good at stealing, and that he did not really want to steal the gem, the maid asked him, and kind of forced him to.
Why do you think Sherlock Holmes told the cab driver to go to St. Monica’s Church? What does this tell you about what he is trying to do?
He told the cab to go to St. Monica's church because he saw both Irene Adler and the man go there, so he followed them. It tells the reader he is trying to figure out what is going on between the man and Irene Adler, and at the church, he discovers they get married.
How does it make Sherlock Holmes feel or act when Irene Adler is able to outsmart him?
It makes Sherlock Holmes show great respect towards Irene Adler and call her "the woman." He does this because she outsmarted him, which very few can do.
Why do you think the author calls Irene Adler the 'daintiest thing under a bonnet'? What does this tell you about how other people feel about her?
The author calls Irene this because she is a good singer, very pretty, and clever, too. It tells the reader that Irene is both well known and that many people think she is just wonderful with her looks, cleverness, and singing.
How does seeing Sherlock Holmes solve the cases help you understand what kind of person he is?
It helps the reader understand that Sherlock Holmes is on a very high level of cleverness, and he is worthy of his title for being the greatest detective ever. This tells us that he is very, very, smart.
Why is it important that the King of Bohemia is in London? How does it change what happens in the story?