The Real Language of the Fan: Deciphering the Messages in Enola Holmes 2
Unraveling the complexity of the language of the fan used in Enola Holmes 2 and exploring its historical accuracy and significance.
The Secret Language of the Fan
The language of the fan takes center stage in the sequel to Enola Holmes, where characters Enola Holmes and the young Viscount Tewkesbury find themselves entangled in a web of misunderstood fan gestures. Unbeknownst to Tewkesbury, the real-life secret language of the fan used in 19th-century English polite society is far more complex than the 2022 Netflix sequel depicts.
Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) holding a fan and looking besotted in Enola Holmes
Enola Holmes 2 unravels the case of missing matchstick factory girl Sarah Chapman, shedding light on the heinous truth behind her disappearance. As Enola slips into a ball undercover one night, she discovers that the ladies of the parties are using their fans to send secret messages, 'saying everything that is forbidden.' The secret language of the fan is useful in more ways than one, even if Tewkesbury's message was wrong in Enola Holmes 2.
Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) and Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) in ball outfits looking at each other
Tewkesbury's fan gesture, intended to profess his love for Enola, is revealed to be mistaken, as it does not align with the designated motion for 'I love you' according to a leaflet published by a fan supplier to Queen Victoria. Despite this misunderstanding, the use of fan gestures creates endearing moments shared between the characters, adding depth and complexity to the plot.
A bird's eye view shot of people dancing at a ball in Enola Holmes
The Misinterpreted Messages
Enola, brought up by her unconventional mother Eudoria Holmes, finds herself a fish out of water in formal settings among gentle society. Unaware of the secret language of the fan, she inadvertently sends conflicting messages to a poor, unsuspecting man at the charity ball, adding a humorous and relatable twist to the narrative.
Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) fanning herself
The invention of 'fanology' by Charles Francis Badini and the conflicting formal systems of fan language further add to the complexity of fan gestures, highlighting the challenges of using the fan as a practical and reliable means of communication in Victorian England.
A legend explaining The Language of the Fan
The Accuracy of Fan Gestures in Enola Holmes 2
While Tewkesbury's use of the fan may not align precisely with the historical gestures outlined by fan makers, the movie's portrayal of the fan's code is not entirely off-base. Scenes featuring Lady Cecily and other characters demonstrate the proper use of fan gestures, adding an element of authenticity to the film's representation of the secret language of the fan.
The significance of fan gestures in conveying hidden messages and the missed opportunities for Enola to use the fan to her advantage are explored, shedding light on the historical and social implications of the language of the fan.
