...Sherlock Holmes (/ˈʃɜrlɒk ˈhoʊmz/) is a fictional character created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School. A London-based "consulting detective" whose abilities border on the fantastic, Holmes is known for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to adopt almost any disguise and his use of forensic science to solve difficult cases. Holmes, who first appeared in print in 1887, was featured in four novels and 56 short stories. The first novel, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887 and the second, The Sign of the Four, in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890. The character's popularity grew with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; additional short-story series and two novels (published in serial form) appeared from then to 1927. The events in the stories take place from about 1880 to 1914. All but four stories are narrated by Holmes's friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson. Two are narrated by Holmes himself ("The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" and "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane"), and two others are written in the third person ("The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" and "His Last Bow"). In two stories ("The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual" and "The Adventure of the Gloria Scott"), Holmes tells Watson the story from memory, with Watson narrating the frame story. The first and fourth novels, A...
Words: 4961 - Pages: 20
...Sherlock Holmes … . I propose to devote my declining years to the composition of a textbook which shal focus the whole art of detection into one volume. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Abbey Grange Sherlock Holmes is sometimes compared to a bloodhound. He smels out clues, folows them, and catches criminals. He is very good at this, and although he sometimes fails (as in The Yelow Face) his success rate is very high. Now there is an art in doing this, which Sherlock Holmes cals the art of detection, and he is an expert in this art. In fact he was planning on writing a textbook on the subject when he retired. But as far as we know he never got around to it. Sherlock Holmes is not the only one who folows clues, scientists do as wel, , and probably al of us. For it is by folowing clues that we find out things on our own, doing so without being told by those in the know. Sherlock Holmes catches criminals, and then they confess, not the other way 'round. Scientists find things out by themselves, not by asking God. Now finding out things on our own is not easy, but in ways big or smal most of us would have had this kind of experience whether we are aware of it or not. This is to say in practice we al know something about this art which here, folowing Sherlock Holmes, we are caling the art of detection. Indeed when reading Sherlock Holmes or other detectives few of us would hesitate to put in our two cents worth: we are competent to criticise their techniques...
Words: 2106 - Pages: 9
...Sherlock Holmes (/ˈʃɜrlɒk ˈhoʊmz/) FRSC[1] is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School. A London-based "consulting detective" whose abilities border on the fantastic, Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to adopt almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve difficult cases. Holmes, who first appeared in publication in 1887, was featured in four novels and 56 short stories. The first novel, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887 and the second, The Sign of the Four, in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890. The character grew tremendously in popularity with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; further series of short stories and two novels published in serial form appeared between then and 1927. The stories cover a period from around 1880 up to 1914. All but four stories are narrated by Holmes's friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson; two are narrated by Holmes himself ("The Blanched Soldier" and "The Lion's Mane") and two others are written in the third person ("The Mazarin Stone" and "His Last Bow"). In two stories ("The Musgrave Ritual" and "The Gloria Scott"), Holmes tells Watson the main story from his memories, while Watson becomes the narrator of the frame story. The first and fourth novels, A Study in Scarlet and The...
Words: 267 - Pages: 2
...rather than the individual, it is an ethical act. In A Scandal in Bohemia, Sherlock Holmes is trying to help the Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein get married, so that he can become the new King of Bohemia. The issue being that Irene Adler has a picture of the Grand Duke having an affair. Adler threatened to send this picture and a note to the Duke’s bride, thus ruining his marriage and his right to the throne. The Duke not becoming king affects all of the citizens in Bohemia, thus, by following Utopian ethics, Sherlock Holmes should help the Duke. That being said, according to Utopian ethics, Sherlock Holmes would be considered an ethical human being by benefitting the masses rather than himself. Sherlock Holmes does perform many actions that we would consider today as unethical. Once Holmes is on the case, his first act of business was “watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler” (Doyle 16). He has spied on Adler for the entire morning to get clues and leads to further continue this case. Utopian ethics would agree with this behavior. Holmes has disguised himself as a “drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side whiskered with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes” (Doyle 16) to gather information about Adler’s doings. Holmes has benefitted all the people in Bohemia by performing this act to help the Duke get married, and thus be the King of Bohemia. In another instance, Holmes second and final attempt to figure out where Adler has kept the photograph of...
Words: 552 - Pages: 3
...From the dawn of time the allure of the unknown has driven human intuition to some dangerous situations. But there are the few who stand up to the danger and challenge of facing the unknown. One of these such people is known as Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is widely regarded as one of the most famous detectives in history. Solving case to case to case to case. But time is a stranger-a wandering orphan of sorts and creates no attachments. So like all Mr. Holmes’ age caught up with him and now he is too mangled and sluggish to keep up with the line of work he so valiantly championed. Foresight was a gift that came naturally to Mr. Holmes and he knew he had to find some kind of successor. So he decided to solve this one last mystery for old times...
Words: 1676 - Pages: 7
...Sherlock Holmes in PBS is the most successful character in the history of television Critic Victoria Thorpe said, "Freeman's dependable, capable Watson unlocks this modern Holmes, a man who now describes himself as 'a high-functioning sociopath.” (Sherlock Holmes is back… sending texts and using nicotine patches) I think it is totally right. As a contradictory person, Sherlock Holmes has many characteristics, such as: smart, has no patient and he never knows how to get along with others. Also, he is a direct person and he protects all his friends, but in the depth of his heart, he yearns for appreciate and applause. These attractive characteristics are the reason to make him become popular. First, he is very smart and he likes to reasoning. Of course, as a detective, he should be smart enough to solve the cases. However, I remember the most is in the beginning he said” Afghanistan or Iraq” (Sherlock Season I) when he first meet John Watson. This simple sentence leads to the most remarkable characteristic of Sherlock Holmes. He meets John without a minute; he can infer the background of John Watson. At that time, John’s face is like” how do you know?” also can dedicate Sherlock’s...
Words: 759 - Pages: 4
...Sherlock Holmes Imagine having the choice of either putting guilty criminals in prison or let them go. This is a story of a difficult decision Sherlock Holmes had to make. In my opinion, Sherlock Holmes positively made the wrong decision. In the first place, James Ryder should not have listened to Catharine Cusack. Ryder needs to think for himself and if he does not, he will be in a hole of guiltiness. They stole a carbuncle, a blue jewel, from the Countess. Ryder fed the carbuncle to a goose with a black stripe down his back. Officer Turner thought it was the plumber that stole the carbuncle in the goose, when he said he was innocent because Ryder and Cusack blamed it on the plumber. In the second place, Ryder and Cusack have broken the...
Words: 326 - Pages: 2
...SYBA ‘A’ I have taken up the brand of ‘Sherlock Holmes’, the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, from its inception in the 19th century till present day. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced Sherlock Holmes to the reading public in 1887, nothing could have prepared him for the fact he had created a character who was destined to become the most famous detective in the world. This British literary idol went on to break all records and has become the most frequently portrayed fictional character of all time. Today, the brand has been invented and re-invented in so many different and exotic ways that it has the potential to keep entertaining, amusing, enlightening and keeping readers, viewers and listeners of all ages engaged for a long time to come, deviating from and strengthening the original fandom, and keeping a century-old brand as alive and as unique as it was when with the publishing of The Final Solution, Conan Doyle killed off the famous detective and had to face eight years of intense public pressure, who took to the streets wearing black arm-bands and demanding that he bring Holmes back. Few fictional characters have risen to the prominence and longevity as the Baker Street sleuth. Like any well-crafted piece of work, Sherlock Holmes has been an inspiration in his field – informing identities of later fictional characters, from Batman to Dr. Gregory House. Sherlock Holmes, according to The New York Times, is the...
Words: 4407 - Pages: 18
... Shaun P. Grech, WRTG 101, 30 November 2013 Thesis: Sherlock Holmes, a Master Detective’s Mind at Work Unquestionably, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was on to something when he created Sherlock Holmes. In Stanton O. Berg’s article, “Sherlock Holmes: Father of Scientific Crime and Detection,” the author believes that “the famous sleuth had a decided stimulating influence on the development of modern scientific crime detection” (446). Holmes was indeed a dramatic representation of the investigative curiosity of the time period. Berg cites criminologists of the era who were either inspired by Doyle’s fictional character, leading them to their own discoveries in forensic science, or who were driven to start implementing Holmesian methods within professional police forces (448). A review of Sherlock stories reveals that almost every one of the forensic techniques utilized by police forces today is touched upon in one form or another. In E.J. Wagner’s book The Science of Sherlock Holmes, such methods included the examination of dirt, cigar ashes, blood stains, fingerprints and a dabbling in ballistics among others. Part of the lure of Sherlock Holmes is that readers are captivated by the iconic nineteenth century detective’s innate abilities in solving his cases so seamlessly. In essence, he is the perfect intellectual model for analytical ability and razor edge wit. How then, is Holmes able to utilize the powers of his mind so well? One path to understand this...
Words: 2133 - Pages: 9
...How does Sherlock Holmes use the scientific method to solve this case? Well, first he is given the problem, Miss Mary Sutherland, a lady who consults Holmes. “Oh Mr. Holmes. I wish you would do as much for me. I’m not rich, but still I have hundred a year in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Homer Angel.”(page.2) A missing man, who is married to Miss Sutherland. “Indeed, I have found that it is usually in unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the charm to an investigation.” said Holmes.(page.2) Secondly, to gather the data/information: Holmes used Miss Sutherland as the main resource by asking specific yet simple questions about herself, her parent’s history, timeline of meeting Mr. Homer, and her stepfather. The Mother of Miss Sutherland was known as Mother, the father: Mr. Windibank, {a plumber in Tottenham Court Road and later being a traveler in wines}, and others involved: Mr. Hardy, {the foreman}. By asking questions, Holmes seems like a concerned friend who wanted to help. “You will leave that question in my hands”(page.6) Also any...
Words: 480 - Pages: 2
...EL SIGNO DE LOS CUATRO Arthur Conan Doyle Capítulo Primero LA CIENCIA DE LA DEDUCCIÓN Sherlock Holmes cogió la botella del ángulo de la repisa de la chimenea, y su jeringuilla hipodérmica de su pulcro estuche de tafilete. Insertó con sus dedos largos, blancos y nerviosos, la delicada aguja, y se remangó la manga izquierda de la camisa. Por un instante sus ojos se posaron pensativos en el musculoso antebrazo y en la muñeca, cubiertos ambos de puntitos y marcas de los innumerables pinchazos. Finalmente, hundió en la carne la punta afilada, presionó hacia abajo el delicado émbolo y se dejó caer hacia atrás, hundiéndose en el sillón forrado de terciopelo y exhalando un profundo suspiro de satisfacción. Durante muchos meses había presenciado esa operación tres veces al día; pero la costumbre no había llegado a conseguir que mi alma se adaptara. Por el contrario, cada día que pasaba me sentía más irritado ante ese espectáculo, y todas las noches sentía sublevarse mi conciencia al pensar que me había faltado valor para protestar. Una y otra vez me había yo prometido que le diría todo lo que pensaba al respecto; pero había algo en las maneras frías y despreocupadas de mi compañero que lo hacían el último de los hombres con quien uno siente deseos de tomarse algo parecido a una libertad. Su gran energía, sus maneras dominadoras y la experiencia que yo había tenido de sus muchas y extraordinarias cualidades, me restaban confianza y me hacían reacio a llevarle la contraria. Sin embargo...
Words: 45460 - Pages: 182
...Dr. Worrall Name: Sam Jones English 1102 Class Period: 12:30-1:45 Fall 2015 Draft Body Paragraph Assignment (15 points) Staple the pages of the assignment, and turn in the assignment with your Revised Detective Fiction Essay on October 1. Do not delete any of the three paragraphs until we have discussed them. Part 1 – Draft Body Paragraph Delete the paragraph below. Paste a copy of your largest draft body paragraph in this space. One characteristic that a private investigator has is he/she must be emotionally detached from the case. Individuals often find their self not being able to go forward in a situation due to the emotional rollercoaster that they have been on with the person/s involved, thus creating relation hips where relationships should not be made. Choosing to become a private investigator can be a very trialing field if you are one to allow your feelings to overrule judgment at times, this occupation requires you to deal with emotional people who often look for sympathy on their behalf. Lew Archer astonishes his readers with thoughts such as, “She had a key in one hand and a handful of blood in the other…but I hated her for spoiling my morning sleep,” he is so unattached from the case that it allows him to think more clearly and stay focused on the evidence and the timeline of events rather than feel sorry for the girl and believe everything that is said to him (77). Lew Archer takes treats everyone with the same suspicion until they are proven...
Words: 785 - Pages: 4
...Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch The modern-day Sherlock Holmes is "cold and clever". (However, astronomy is not useful in solving crimes, Sherlock is unaware that the sun revolved around the Earth). An outcast even as a child, Sherlock spends his time observing everything, analyzing it. He's driven by a desire to prove himself cleverer than everyone: the police and the criminals alike. Holmes is well aware of his own weaknesses, describing himself as a "high-functioning psychopath." However, he cares nothing for the opinions of others, including his brother Mycroft. Sherlock is skilled at computer hacking and information retrieval, and maintains his own web site. Sherlock is also a skilled hand-to-hand fighter. As the world's only consulting detective, Sherlock's primary skill is his ability to analyze small clues and compile them into a complete profile of a crime scene. Although he doesn't abide by normal human standards of behavior, he's capable of applying his observations to analyze it. While Sherlock may not conceive of the idea of marriage or adultery, he can look at a woman's wedding ring, measure how it's been cleaned inside and outside of the band, and determine that the woman was having multiple affairs. (episode 1 season 1) John Hamish Watson also called, Dr. John Watson, is a 37 old man. He is often complete different from Sherlock in both appearance and personality. Unlike Sherlock, John is short with blond hair. He is kind, caring, and 'human'...
Words: 1335 - Pages: 6
...series which takes on the old and famous “Sherlock Holmes” story and puts a modern contemporary twist to its storyline and characters. The most noticeable change in this new series is the casting for Sherlock Holmes’s age old apprentice, and almost side-kick, Dr. Joan Watson. In the works of the original text by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Watson is a male character that acts as Sherlock’s assistant in each of their investigations. Watson was commonly portrayed as the laughingstock in the older series of Sherlock Holmes (around the 1970s to 1990s reworking) in order to reflect the brilliance of Holmes. However, in the new series “Elementary,” a new twist is put onto the character of Watson as star Lucy Liu takes up the role in this version. Throughout the entire television series, we see that this new hit series not only brings about a modern twist to an age old story, but also challenges the ideologies and assumptions of ethnicity, female power/feminism, and occupational variety/opportunity for females in our current society. Having Lucy Liu star as Dr. Joan Watson not only challenges the role of feminism in our society, but also the role of ethnicity as the director introduces Watson as an Asian woman. Throughout American history, we see that the most famous fictional detectives are mostly, if not all, men. From children’s books and cartoon series such as Inspector Gadget and Batman, to adult novels and book series such as Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. The one or two famous...
Words: 860 - Pages: 4
...Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1893 story “The Greek Interpreter,” Doyle introduces Sherlock Holmes brother Mycroft Holmes to display Sherlock Holmes’s exceptional skill of observation and deduction to be more a result of his heredity than of his environment and early training. In the story Sherlock believes that his gifts are strongly attributed to his ancestry, Mycroft’s presence in “The Greek Interpreter,” validates Sherlock Holmes’ belief through similarities in their skill set and behavior. The display of Mycroft’s similar skills of deduction and observation to Sherlock prove that the unique skillset is a family trait and not an acquired skill. By displaying Sherlock’s skills as a hereditary trait, the author displays how rare and unique Sherlock’s talents are through Mycroft’s similarities to Sherlock. Mycroft’s presence also explains the inability of Dr. Watson to observe what Sherlock can in other stories even after years of closely working with Sherlock. This essay will prove that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle displays a belief that a person’s abilities are directly attributed to his or her heredity. Early in the story a discussion between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson takes place, in which the topic of, as stated in the story ,“how for any singular gift in an individual was due to his ancestry and how far to his own early training.” Dr. Watson believes Sherlock’s talents come from his own training. Sherlock agrees to some extent, but believes his skills are hereditary, he goes on...
Words: 857 - Pages: 4
