All the Year Round - "Knots."

In “Knots.” there are several clear associations between knots and mystery fiction. First, because the language of knots and string is frequently appropriated in discussion of literature, as shown in the following quotation regarding Wilkie Collins: “To be led among those often alarming, always cleverly contrived mazes, and to trace the thread of the story in and out, was the entertainment he offered to his public” (Oliphant qtd by Knight 324 emphasis added). The article further foregrounds this pre-existing relationship for the reader when the opening line asserts that “knots are of great antiquity, perhaps as old as human fingers… [evidenced by] the mystery attached to, and the traditions connected with, several knots” (“Knots.” emphasis added). Here knots are made out to be as intriguing and mysterious as Collins’ fiction. The connection to fiction becomes explicit when one reads: “However perplexing the plot of a drama may be, we are satisfied if the dénouement, or unknotting, be good” (“Knots.”). This plays on the literal French meaning “untying”, and uses the term to prepare the reader for upcoming unknotting of Collins’ plot. At this point, there are only eleven sections of The Moonstone unpublished. The next seven sections contain Franklin Blake’s narrative, and the last four sections contain five narratives and an epilogue. Soon the mystery of The Moonstone will start unravelling very quickly, indeed. “Knots.” suggests the entire mystery of The Moonstone, no matter how perplexing it is, should satisfy as long as the remaining sections tie up all the loose ends, “good”. 

The “Knots.” column in All the Year Round cultivates an impression of intellectualism throughout. The refined reader would be familiar with the knot examples from history, such as Alexander the Great with the Gordian knot. Another assumption of knowledge is revealed when Latin phrases appear without translation: “Instead of the maxim ‘Est modus in rebus,’ we might often say, ‘Est nodus in rebus,’” (“Knots.”). These phrases roughly translate as “there is a [proper] measure to things” and “there is a [proper] knot to things”. Their use signifies that the journal addresses an educated readership.

The article demonstrates an academic tone most clearly by stating “Knots are a study in themselves, an art, an accomplishment. They may be considered historically, biographically, technically and metaphorically” (“Knots.”). Earlier the metaphorical implications of the knot in connection with dramatic fiction were explored, and now “Knots.” is elevating itself to the level of art and scholarly accomplishment. If the following suggestive passage is indicative, All the Year Round may intend to give itself a similar spin:

But scattered hints and partial information will not suffice for the British public. It is an honourable characteristic of our literature that it contains numerous and complete treatises on many subjects. (Knots.)

This nationalistic flattery assumes a readership familiar with a particular type of literature, revealing its aims at ensnaring an elite audience. These sentences in the text could also be read as the journal’s pretention to honourable literariness, if one considers this a treatise on the subject of knots. Many details in “Knots.”, including threads of sophistication intentionally woven throughout the text, imply the audience Year Round desires to gratify.