Published 18:16 IST, September 25th 2020
What was the Reform Bill in Enola Holmes? Find out what Tewksbury was voting for
Since its release on Netlfix on September 23, fans across the world have been enjoying Enola Holmes. Find out what was the reform bill in the film about.
Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill starrer Enola Holmes among September’s most anticipated Netflix releases. The detective mystery was finally released on Netflix on September 23. Helmed by Harry Bradbeer and written by Jack Thorne, the story of Enola Holmes revolves around Enola, Sherlock Holmes’ young sister. Since its release fans across the world have been enjoying the detective film. But many have been wondering what was the reform bill in Enola Holmes even about. Read on to find out.
What was the Reform bill in Enola Holmes?
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The reform bill was mentioned several times throughout the film. Although it plays a huge part in shaping the film’s story, it was never clearly mentioned in the film, what was it all about. But, there have been several clues indicating what this reform bill could be throughout the story. This handful of clues in the story indicate that the reform bill was actually a proposal to give women the right to vote.
During his first encounter with Enola, Tewksbury reveals that he ran away from his family because they wished for him to serve in the army and wanted to ship him off to some distant location. But his wish was to stay in London and take over his father's seat in the House of Lords. He also wished to vote in favour of passing the bill.
The Young Lord says to Enola, “I had these ideas about how we might progress the estate." But his modern stance is not only frowned upon but entirely unacceptable to some members favouring the old order. One of them is his own grandmother, the Dowager (Frances de la Tour). Her disagreements with his grandson prompt her to hire Linthorn, the evil assassin who just doesn’t get off Enola and Tewksbury’s hair until the very end of the film. In fact, the Dowager had also gotten her son and Tewksbury’s father killed because of his progressive views.
What is Eudoria’s role in all this?
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The viewers of the film will clearly remember that Eudoria is linked to the suffrage movement as a fervent activist. The sharp-witted Eudoria keeps using Mycroft’s money to fund the activities of her group for years. Enola even recalls witnessing Eudoria host a secret meeting with other women activists where she mutters something about having to choose from three options: the embankment, entangle herb, and Ellie Houseman. Later in the film Enola realises that the choices are actually carefully constructed anagrams for different locations throughout London, the locations being, The Embankment, Bethnal Green, and Limehouse Lane.
When Enola arrives at the Limehouse Lane in London she finds a booklet titled Protest, Unrest, and Civil Disobedience which also lists powerful explosives, including the Orsini bomb. Moreover, she finds a stack of flyers that read, Manchester National Society For Woman's Suffrage Public Meeting. Hence, the identity of the reform bill has not blatantly been revealed in Enola Holmes.
But considering that the movie is set in 1884 when women weren't able to vote in the UK, the bill might be about equal franchise rights for women. In reality, the Representation of the People Act in 1918 had allowed women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification to vote in the UK. It was the Equal Franchise Act 1928, that allowed women over the age of 21 to participate in the political act.
Promo Image Source: Still from Enola Holmes
Updated 18:16 IST, September 25th 2020