Film: Enola Holmes 2

Hello, Teachers!

PREDICTION / BRAINSTORMING FOR STUDENTS
1. What challenges might a young female detective face in Victorian England?
2. How do you think working conditions in factories during the Industrial Revolution compared to today?
3. What methods might a detective use to gather information when modern technology isn’t available?
4. How could someone from a privileged background become an ally in the fight for workers’ rights?
5. What role do you think family expectations played in shaping career choices in the Victorian era?

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN

1. Analytical thinking skills for solving complex mysteries
2. The importance of questioning societal norms and challenging injustice
3. Historical context of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on workers
4. Techniques for gathering and evaluating evidence
5. The significance of workers’ rights and safe working conditions
6. How to recognize and expose corruption in powerful institutions
7. The role of women in Victorian society and their fight for equality
8. Balancing individual initiative with collaborative efforts
9. Strategies for effective communication across different social classes
10. The power of collective action in bringing about social change

KEYWORDS

Detective work, women’s empowerment, social justice, Victorian era, workers’ rights, industrial revolution, deduction, perseverance, equality, corruption, mystery-solving, collective action, family relationships, coming of age, analytical thinking

A QUICK SUMMARY

“Enola Holmes 2” follows the young detective Enola Holmes as she takes on her first official case. Set in Victorian London, Enola is hired to find Sarah Chapman, a missing match factory worker. As she investigates, Enola uncovers a dangerous conspiracy involving the exploitation of workers and a cover-up of deadly working conditions.

The film weaves together themes of social justice, women’s empowerment, and the power of collective action. Enola’s investigation leads her to infiltrate different social circles, from the gritty world of factory workers to high-society balls. Along the way, she encounters allies and adversaries, including her brother Sherlock Holmes, who is working on a seemingly unrelated case of government corruption.

As Enola delves deeper, she discovers that Sarah’s disappearance is connected to her efforts to expose the dangerous use of white phosphorus in match production, which causes a fatal condition known as “phossy jaw” among workers. The conspiracy involves not only the factory owners but also corrupt government officials.

The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation at a theater, where Enola uncovers the true mastermind behind the conspiracy. The resolution sees Enola and Sarah organizing a strike among the match girls, leading to significant reforms in the industry.

Throughout the film, Enola must navigate societal expectations, prove her worth as a detective, and learn the value of collaboration. The narrative blends mystery-solving with commentary on social issues of the Victorian era, many of which resonate with contemporary concerns about workers’ rights and social justice.