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It
was not Watson’s fear of Morstan’s being an heiress that initially restrained
his impulse to propose. It was his realization that he could not provide her
with a normal sexual relationship or children. Listen to his own words: “She
little guessed the struggle within my breast, or the effort of self-restraint
which held me back... Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of
affection on my lips.”
Ostensibly those two thoughts were her being “weak and helpless” and
an heiress. Yet, there is nothing weak about Mary Morstan. Even Holmes speaks
positively about her strength and resourcefulness. Watson could not express
his real misgivings on the printed page — he could only hint at the problem
and mention his depressed state of mind.
At some point, he must have discussed his disability with Mary and she
reassured him — possibly during the visit to Camberwell that lasted until the
evening. Thus, when the treasure is lost, the last barrier is gone and he
proposes. Watson never wrote truer words than when he said, “ Whoever had
lost a treasure, I knew that night that I had gained one.” Mary Morstan
realized the doctor’s true worth and made her decision accordingly.
In
addition to the obvious allusions in SIGN, there are many other Canonical
indicators of Watson’s disability. To name a few,
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Watson’s
obsession with gambling and his partiality to spirits are both attempts to
help forget his performance problem. Likewise, Mary Morstan’s willingness
to let Watson accompany Holmes at the drop of a hat indicates both her
recognition that he needs to be distracted and her awareness that he is
unable to distract her. And whenever Holmes comes to call late at night,
Watson is sitting up reading while Mrs. Watson is in bed. Not only is
reading the only nocturnal activity the doctor is able to engage in, but
Holmes realizes his visits won’t interrupt any marital activities.
Watson’s childlessness is another
indicator. Given the multitude of wives attributed to Watson, one would
expect at least one child to result — unless, of course, the problem was
Watson’s. Even the Master himself — whose sexual encounters were extremely
limited — sired two sons. ( W.S.
Baring-Gould, “Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street,” New York:
Brainhail House, 1962; Susan Z. Diamond, “A Tale of a Prince, the
King, and the Master,” Serpentine Muse: Vol. 11, no. 3)
Mary Morstan’s calling Watson James,
not John, was clearly a Freudian slip. While I believe she was faithful to
her husband, she undoubtedly indulged in an occasional fantasy with an
imaginary lover she called James — probably while Watson was downstairs
reading one of those yellow backed novels.
Another Freudian indicator is Watson’s frequent use of the phrase “I
ejaculated.” Clearly his inability to do that preyed upon his mind.
The oft-quoted remark “now, Watson,
the fair sex is your department” is actually a rather cruel jest on Holmes’
part. Certainly he does not believe it is Watson’s area of expertise, as he
immediately debunks Watson’s comments about Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope.
Watson is hurt; hence, when Holmes says, “You must have observed, Watson,
how she maneuvered to have the light at her back,” Watson tartly responds,
“Yes, she chose the one chair in the room.”
Like Holmes, Watson’s friends know of
his disability. Young Stamford commiserates with Watson over his
“misfortunes,” while Bob Ferguson’s first comment was, “You don’t look
quite the man you did when I threw you over the ropes into the crowd at Old
Deer Park.” Come to think of it, being thrown over the ropes might have had
something to do with Watson’s problem.
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Miss Mary Morstan
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Now,
to return for a moment to the subject of Watson’s wives. I personally take
the traditional view that Watson had two wives, although I will spare you a
long discussion of Canonical chronology —a sure-fire cure for insomnia. In
fact, the reason I assume there were two wives is because it is the
simplest solution and involves the least research.
Mary Morstan was the first wife.
Anyone reading SIGN immediately realizes how much Watson loved her and that
she returned his love in full. Neither of them would let a physical
handicap spoil their chance for happiness, and they made the most of their
brief life together.
As for the second Mrs. Watson, the one Holmes alludes to rather
uncharitably in BLAN, she liked the Doctor’s companionship and his
pocketbook — now well filled from his literary efforts. Any other
deficiencies she could easily overlook.
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