Adventure of the Cardboard Box
How could the events that led Jim Browner to cut off the ears and send them in a cardboard box be used to explain the consequences of jealousy or revenge?
Jim Browner was in jail. He was jealous and wanted revenge. He did it in the wrong way. He killed his wife and was put in jail.
Do you think the person who stole the Blue Gem deserved punishment or forgiveness? (Your opinion)
I think yes. He deserved punishment. He DID steal the goose and the blue gem.
Do you think Sherlock was successful in solving the case?
Partially, he found out where it was but did not take it.
How did Sherlock Holmes use the hat and goose to solve the case?
Sherlock studied the clues from the hat and traced the goose through several owners until he discovered that James Ryder had hidden the gem inside it.
blue gem
Was James Ryder truly sorry for stealing the gem?
Yes, he seemed very frightened and regretful when Holmes discovered the truth, which is why Holmes decided to let him go.
What factors led to the mix-up, and how did they contribute to the confusion?
The sisters both have the same initial and so they sent it to the wrong person.
Do you think the person who pressured him to steal the Blue Gem is more responsible for the crime?
Yes. It was her idea and she also participated in the theft.
How did Sherlock Holmes try to find the photograph?
He disguised himself.
Do you think jealousy was the main cause of the crime in this story?
Yes, because Jim Browner became extremely jealous and angry after discovering his wife’s relationship, which led him to commit the crime.
Cardboard Box
Why did Jim Browner commit the crime?
Jim Browner became very jealous and angry after discovering his wife’s betrayal, which caused him to act violently.
Based on what you know about Jim Browner’s situation, how could he have handled the conflict with his wife’s lover in a more constructive way?
He could have talked to his wife instead of killing her.
How important was Sherlock Holmes’s companion to solving the case? Could Sherlock have solved it just as well alone?
Watson helped but Sherlock could have definitely solved it by himself just maybe not as fast.
What made Irene Adler difficult for Sherlock Holmes to defeat?
Irene outsmarted him and realized his plan and left with her husband and the photo.
What clues helped Sherlock Holmes understand the meaning of the ears in the box?
Sherlock examined the ears carefully and realized they belonged to two different people, which helped him connect the crime to Jim Browner.
Bohemia - Do you think Irene Adler used the photograph unfairly against the king?
She was fair because she only kept it to protect herself and promised not to harm the king.
How effective was Sherlock Holmes’s approach in solving the case? Could another method have worked better?
Very affective. Another method MIGHT have also worked but this method worked perfectly and successfully.
Do you think the gem’s owner should have been held responsible for the theft?
No, it was not the countess' fault and she had no connection to the theft except being the one stolen from.
How did the photograph create a problem for the king?
The king was about to get married but if his wife saw the photo then it might have ruined their marriage.
Do you think Sherlock Holmes made the right decision by letting James Ryder go free?
Depends. I think no. He did commit the crime
Bohemia - What qualities made Irene Adler a match for Sherlock Holmes’s intelligence?
Irene Adler was observant, clever, and quick-thinking, which allowed her to notice Holmes’s tricks and escape with the photograph.
How would knowing the names of the three sisters help you understand the relationships in the story?
If you didn't know the names then the story would not have been interesting. The mix-up caused this.
Was Sherlock successful in solving the case?
Yes, Sherlock was successful. He found out who it belonged to and who stole it. He also returned it.
Do you think Sherlock Holmes should have been more careful with his plan? Why?
Yes, because Irene Adler realized his trick and escaped before he could take the photograph.
Why was Irene Adler able to outsmart Sherlock Holmes?
She realized Sherlock's plan and left the country before he could take the photograph.
Cardboard Box – How did the mysterious box arrive, and what did it reveal about the crime?
The box was sent to the wrong person and had human ears, which led Sherlock to investigate a bad crime involving jealousy and murder.