The Subversion of Women in a Scandal in Bohemia Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia" follows the story of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes on his adventures to recover a damaging photograph. In the society Watson describes, the apparent role of women is minuscule as the emphasis is on a woman who is the subject of Holmes' detective investigations. In "A Scandal in Bohemia", society places women at a subordinate level, relegating them to the background and therefore never allowing us readers to get to know them. Watson describes women as second-class citizens at the beginning of the story without saying so directly. When Watson says, "My complete happiness and the home-centered interests emerging around the man who first finds himself master of his environment were sufficient to absorb my whole attention," (212) he openly states that he is wearing the suit pants in the family, which implies that his wife does not make important family decisions. Because Watson is the “master” or ruler of his own “establishment,” he insinuates that his family members are his servants and not his equals. Watson's wife is a banal character, clearly evident because we never hear from her and never learn her name. On one occasion, Watson spends the night at Watson's house on Baker Street without once thinking of calling his wife. Watson's behavior shows how little respect he has for his wife. This blatant disregard for his wife's feelings illustrates this woman's insignificance. The King of Bohemia shows another example of the lack of respect given to women. His concerns are not centered on his future wife finding out about this affair, but rather on tarnishing his own image. The king fears the revelation of this scandalous photograph because it lies in the hands of a woman. His interests in dominating this woman are evident in the callous actions the king directs towards Irene Adler. The king states, "Five attempts were made. Two thieves in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her baggage while she was travelling. Twice she was attacked. There was no result" (218). This disregard for Adler's privacy calls into question the king's overall motives. Does he really want the photograph or are his actions focused on hurting Irene Adler? The king wants the upper hand over this beautiful but intelligent woman. The king's attitude towards his future wife and his former lover, Irene Adler, fits into women's roles narrowly defined by society. In this society, women were the nurturers and protectors of children and what some consider only objects of monetary value. The feminine instinct to educate is reflected in the personality of Irene Adler.