Enola Holmes and the Matchgirls strike
I recently watched Enola Holmes films featuring Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Claflin as Mycroft Holmes and Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes. I really enjoyed the modern, but respectful approach to the story, I believe that this film had a lot of good messages, especially for a younger audience, it would have been nice to have films like these when I was younger as they are so empowering. The female characters, Enola, her mother, and Edith (who taught both Enola and her mother fighting combat techniques) were more prominent in the second film, but their presence was positive. Without going too much into it just in case of spoilers, the fight for women’s rights was a common theme, with a ‘well-known’ women’s group being a part of the film, it was interesting to see
(image taken from here)
The films are set in the 1880s, some picked out the newspapers state 1885. The name ‘Enola’ was
brought up throughout the first film, as backwards it reads ‘Alone’, but we learn
that rather than being lonely, the film teaches both Enola and the audience
that being independent and fighting for what you believe in, is totally okay.
We see this more in the second film with the character and real-life advocate,
Sarah Chapman with the Matchgirls strike in 1888 (more information to follow). The
end of the second film really left me wanting more, I wanted to see more of
what Enola got up to, I know there is a book series written by Nancy Springer
so feel free to check them out!
As mentioned, Sarah Chapman became an advocate for young Matchgirls working in match factories. Annie Besant who was a women's rights campaigner stated that 'Conditions were appalling for the 1,400 women and girls who worked at Bryant and May's match factory in Bow, east London', a condition called 'phossy jaw' which was a bone cancer caused by the chemicals they used, most often phosphorus. These women went on strike to expose the working conditions they endured and inspired other 'unskilled' workers to do the same. Figures such as Annie Besant and Emmeline Pankhurst (advocate for women's suffrage) were involved in the protest, as well as Herbert Burrows, a British socialist activist. Other attempts at striking took place in 1881, 1885, and 1886. Due to Besant's article, gave the girls another opportunity to strike, they were successful this time in getting improvements in conditions and better pay, however, white phosphorus was not banned until 1910.
A selection of articles to read:
1. Enola
Holmes review: this Netflix Original is the feel-good film we all need right now
https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/enola-holmes-review-netflix/425440
2. Netflix’s
Enola Holmes: why this timely scene has gone viral on Twitter
Annie Besant Quote
Educational pack on the Matchgirls strike
The Matchgirls strike and its outcome
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