Page 202 - @ccess 3 Teacher´s Book

the mystery and he succeeds. Even the title of the book story that allow us to deduce what the speckled band is,
has his name in it. before reading the ending.
José: Right. I think we all agree, but I believe Helen Clara: Exactly. For example, we know that Dr Roylott
Stoner is a main character, as well, because she is trying has wild animals in the house. This is a real clue because
to avoid dying. That’s the problem she faces. There the speckled band is, in fact, a snake that looks like a
wouldn’t be a mystery to solve if it wasn’t for her and speckled band.
everything in the story revolves around her. She is also Emilia: Yes, but the author tricks us by saying that
one of the narrators, since she is the one who tells the gypsies also wear a type of band around their neck. So,
others what happened in the house. we have two clues and we don’t know which one
Clara: OK, what about Watson? I think he is the other to choose.
narrator, as he is the one telling us, the readers, the José: Well, we do have two clues, but we never pay
story about this mystery. attention to the first one, because it’s mentioned just
Emilia: Exactly. Without Watson we wouldn’t know the as a small detail to describe Dr Roylott and his strange
story, because he is the one telling it. But he is also habits. I think the reader picks up the second clue
a supporting character, because he asks questions because it sounds more convincing, even though it’s
to make Holmes explain what happened. This is very fake. At the time, people didn’t like foreigners and they
important, or else we wouldn’t know what was going were afraid of gypsies. Even Helen is scared of them and
on inside Holmes’ mind. He is Holmes’ foil, because the doesn’t talk nicely about them.
detective is very smart and Watson is not, just like us. He Clara: OK. I think we have to make sure to provide the
helps Holmes appear smarter than the rest of us. same two clues in our comic, so the reader believes
José: Helen is in contrast to the detective because she is it’s the gypsies. But when he or she reads the comic
afraid, and he is not, a very important trick of the trade. again, they will notice the first and real clue that leads
Detectives shouldn’t be fearful, or they wouldn’t be able to the killer.
to solve cases. Emilia And José: Good idea!
Clara: What about the other characters?
Emilia: Julia and the stepfather, Dr. Roylott, are Track 56 (Practice 8, Activity 23)
supporting characters, as well. Julia is in contrast to
Helen by the fact that she died and Helen didn’t, she Emilia: In this panel, Watson is waking up and Mr.
also never married and Helen did, because she survived Holmes is standing right next to him. It is very early
and her sister didn’t. in the morning. In the second panel, they are both in
José: Dr. Roylott is the bad guy of the story. He is the living room and there’s a young woman dressed in
greedy because he wants all the money to himself. He is black. She looks tired and unhappy, and her face is very
also the only one who likes the gypsies. white. Holmes greets her and tells her that he is aware
Clara: What about the other characters? that she has traveled a long way to meet with them.
Emilia: Which ones?
José: The ones with no name: the mother, the gypsies, Track 57 (Practice 8, Activity 24)
Julia’s fiancé and Helen’s husband.
Clara: Well, that’s easy, they are incidental. They barely Emilia: In this panel, Watson is waking up and Mr.
play a part in the story, do not interact with other Holmes is standing right next to him. It is very early in
characters, never say a line, do not change location and, the morning.
most importantly, would not change the story if they José: What do they look like?
weren’t in it. Emilia: I don’t know. The story does not say.
Emilia: We are missing one very important character: Clara: Well, how do you visualize them? You have to
the snake! think of something, because you will have to draw them
José: That’s not a character; it’s just a prop! in the comic strip.
Emilia: OK, let me see… Watson is wearing his pajamas
Track 55 (Practice 8, Activity 22) and is sitting on the bed. He just woke up, so he could
be yawning and stretching his arms. He is performing
Emilia: Do you think the plan includes all the relevant the typical actions of a person who just woke up.
parts of the story? José: What about Holmes?
José: I do. I think that we can provoke the sense of fear Emilia: He is fully dressed. He is wearing a suit and a tie.
in the reader, as we discussed when we were analyzing Clara: What about their physical appearance?
the sound effects and what goes on in the story. Emilia: Holmes is tall and thin, and Watson is shorter
Clara: OK, great. But what about the clues that lead to and a bit chubby. He also has a grey moustache.
the killer in the story? José: OK, so they are not young.
José: What do you mean? I don’t understand. Emilia: They are middle-aged men. Not young, but not
Emilia: Well, since this is a mystery, we have to give old, either.
some clues, so an attentive reader can predict that the
stepfather is the killer, but we have to be careful, just like
the author.
José: Oh, I see. You mean that there are parts in the

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