Chapter- 4.4            The Sign of Four


Question 1: Who agreed to help Small escape in exchange for a share in the fortune?
Answer: Sholto agreed to help Small escape in exchange for a share in the fortune.

Question 2: What happened after Sholto went to bring back the treasure?
Answer: Sholto betrayed Small, and Small escaped from the island with Tonga.

Question 3: What did Small do after tracking down Sholto years later?
Answer: He arrived just in time to see Sholto die.

Question 4: What did Small affix to Sholto’s body?
Answer: Small affixed a note referring to himself and his three Arab companions.

Question 5: What happened at the Sholto estate after Sholto’s death?
Answer: Tonga murdered Bartholomew, and he and Small stole the treasure.

Question 6: What did Small do with the treasure during the chase on the Thames?
Answer: Small threw the treasure overboard.

Question 7: What happened to Small after the treasure was thrown overboard?
Answer: Small was taken to prison.

Question 8: Who proposed to Mary Morstan?
Answer: Dr. Watson proposed to Mary Morstan.

Question 9: What is the main theme of the novel?
Answer: The main theme revolves around the Agra treasure and the effects of wealth on people’s lives.

Question 10: How does the Agra treasure affect the characters’ lives?
Answer: The treasure causes direct and often tragic changes in their lives.

Question 11: What is the effect of the removal of the treasure on Small?
Answer: With the treasure gone, Small returns to being a prisoner.

Question 12: How does the removal of the treasure affect Mary Morstan?
Answer: Mary returns to a position where Watson can comfortably propose marriage.

Question 13: What does the story suggest about wealth?
Answer: The story highlights the shallowness of wealth and the destruction it can bring.

Question 14: Who are the characters directly affected by the treasure’s dangers?
Answer: Small, Tonga, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, and his father are directly affected.

Question 15: What happens to Tonga in the story?
Answer: Tonga is killed while fleeing with the treasure.

Question 16: How is Small punished in the story?
Answer: Small is sentenced to life imprisonment.

Question 17: What lifelong fear do Thaddeus and his father experience?
Answer: They live in paranoia about wooden-legged men and strangers.

Question 18: How does the Agra treasure create a conflict for Dr. Watson?
Answer: Watson fears he cannot marry Mary Morstan because he might appear to be after her money.

Question 19: What is Mary Morstan’s character like?
Answer: Mary Morstan is a charming young woman.

Question 20: How does the treasure influence romantic relationships in the story?
Answer: It creates hesitation and conflict, as seen in Watson’s initial fear of appearing greedy.

Question 21: What tragic events are caused by the Agra treasure?
Answer: Murders of Bartholomew and the Sheik’s emissary, Tonga’s death, and Small’s imprisonment.

Question 22: Does the treasure benefit anyone in the end?
Answer: No, ultimately, the treasure is destroyed or lost, removing its influence.

Question 23: How does the novel portray greed?
Answer: The novel shows greed leading to betrayal, murder, and ruin.

Question 24: Why is the removal of the treasure significant for Mary and Watson?
Answer: It removes the obstacles preventing Watson from proposing to Mary.

Question 25: How does Small initially react to Sholto’s betrayal?
Answer: Small escapes from the island with Tonga.

Question 26: What does the note on Sholto’s body signify?
Answer: It serves as a reference to Small and his three Arab companions.

Question 27: What lesson does the novel teach about wealth?
Answer: Wealth can corrupt, cause destruction, and affect people’s morals and relationships.

Question 28: How does the Agra treasure impact the plot?
Answer: The treasure drives the actions of the characters and creates suspense, conflict, and tragedy.

Question 29: Does the novel have a moral message?
Answer: Yes, it shows that greed and obsession with wealth can lead to disaster, while integrity and love prevail.

Question 30: How does the story end for the main characters?
Answer: Small is imprisoned, Tonga and Bartholomew are dead, the treasure is gone, and Watson is free to propose to Mary Morstan.

Answer by Dimpee Bora