Christopher Reeve once said “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” When one thinks of a hero, they picture people with capes and fantastical weapons saving people from the evil masterminds trying to take over our planet. Incongruous to the stereotypical hero, Sherlock Holmes is an ordinary individual, but subtle and witty in his crime solving. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories: “The Adventure of the Speckled Band”, “The Sign of Four”, and “The Case of the Dancing Men”, Holmes proves himself to be a hero because of his extraordinary deduction ability, his courageousness and his ability to save lives.
Holmes’s incredible deductions make him a unique and heroic detective. He is able to profile people by simply looking at an unapparent object such as a watch. One instance where his incredible deductive abilities are put to test is in “The Dancing Men”. Upon looking at a watch, Holmes deduces: “He was a man of untidy habits- very untidy and careless. He was left with good prospects, but he threw away his chances, lived for some time in poverty… then finally, taking to drink, he died. That’s all I can gather” (Conan Doyle 28). This quote proves his deductive abilities because Holmes gives a thorough summary of Watson’s brother’s life by simply examining his watch. Another powerful deductive ability possessed by Holmes is code deciphering. He is able to comprehend complex and seemingly impossible codes and diagrams that the average person cannot. The code with the dancing men in “The Case of the Dancing Men” is perhaps his most memorable instance of code cracking. In this instance, Holmes has finally deciphered the mysterious code, he explains how he his de...
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...eparted. Unlike in “The Dancing Men”, Holmes has successfully saved lives. With his incredible deductive ability and sense of danger, he knows that Helen Stoner of “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” should be cautious while in her stepfather’s mansion. Watson understands that Holmes has reason to be concerned: “I see dimly what you are hinting at. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.” (17). Helen’s life is saved, by solving the case in the nick of time, which is an incredibly heroic act. Holmes has saved numerous lives, without thinking twice, just as a hero would.
In conclusion, Holmes is a hero because of his deductive abilities, his courageousness, and his ability to save lives. Arthur Conan Doyle’s character gives readers a fresh perspective on society, as Holmes proves himself to be an extremely unlikely, yet memorable hero.
Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.
...r Conan Doyle loathed writing Sherlock Holmes. He would write the wrong name for major reoccurring characters and not care if the reasoning in his stories was completely illogical, yet he ironically created his own genre of mystery novels that are recognized even to those who have never read them. Doyle unwillingly created the most insane fanbase that is still alive and thriving today. Doyle’s stories are still popular even eighty-four years after his death because they keep readers enthralled with the story. He wrote war stories based on his own exciting experiences, stories that he believed brought him to the height of his writing capabilities, and stories that sent him crashing back down when a frenzy into Spiritualism crumbled his prestige as a writer. His stories manage to capture the reader’s attention, making them timeless classics in the world of literature.
The criminal profiler Thomas Cronin identifies Holmes as a very unique criminal as he states that criminals are smart, but they are not discipline enough to finish college and the fact that he finished medical school, makes him even more unique. Holmes was able to hide his dark nature as he had an important facilitator which was his career and charm that brought him plenty of victims.
After concluding the role of Sherlock Holmes as a detective in the story of the Speckled Band, I know that he was one of the most famous detectives in the world, and he bought into the world of detectives different skills and abilities, also, bought his own natural talent and set some very high standards, which detectives these days find
The Sherlock Holmes series, has, like most enduring literary works, both challenged and conformed to the ideals of its age. Today, more than a hundred years after his first adventure, Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most beloved fictional characters of the Victorian era.
On page 39, it describes the moment in which bullies from his school force him to go face to face with a skeleton in a doctor’s office. Such a terrible experience truly could have scarred Holmes, but at the same time his comfortability with an representation of death could have prompted his killer roots. Also, the “accidental” death of Holmes’s childhood friend, at an event that Holmes was present, was another red flag in terms of potentially becoming a psychopath. We learn more of Holmes’s younger upbringing through the text in which it states,"He drifted through childhood as a small, odd, and exceptionally bright boy....in the cruel imaginations of his peers, he became prey" (Larson, 38) Holmes was essentially an outcast, a person who has been rejected by society or a social group. He was the target of many because of his oddness and rather unique characteristics. With no solid upbringing, and a probable fascination with death, Holmes was bound to be the infamous serial killer he became in his future.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made Sherlock Holmes’s into one of the most famous detective fictional character the world has seen. Sherlock Holmes has all the qualities and more to be the best at what he is,a detective although he is an amateur. I think that Sherlock Holmes is the best fictional character because of all of his unique and outstandingly shocking techniques.
A hero is considered to be any man noted for courage or nobility of Purpose; especially, one who has risked or sacrificed his life. In Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the reader can see how McMurphy is a prime example of a hero. McMurphy's strength embodies a heroic devotion to the other acutes on the ward.
...he met the detective, fell victim to Moriarty’s games. “Moriarty is playing with your mind too. Can’t you see what’s going on!” (Sherlock). During Holmes’ last days before his faked suicide, he pleads with John to see reason through Jim’s manipulations, as does Desdemona with Othello’s accusations. Even Sherlock’s oldest friend Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade was doubting Holmes’ credibility.
The words Watson uses to describe Holmes such as “sharp and piercing” eyes, “hawk-like nose” and “mark the man of determination”. By having Watson describe such characteristics, it saves Holmes of looking like a show off with an ego. These haracteristics are true and surely the detective knows of his abilities but by having Watson aknowledge them brings more to the story because the comments were made based on observations and not by the individual trying to boost his ego.
An examination of Sherlock Holmes' abilities and techniques. allied to his personal characteristics, enable him to solve crimes. There are many reasons to explain why Sherlock Holmes is one of the world's most famous fictional detectives. However, the main reason for This is that not only are the stories complex, but the actual character of Sherlock Holmes has extreme depth, with some subtle. elements of his character only becoming apparent when he is in certain situations.
He too uses forensic methods. of investigation like a scientist, and also uses scientific tools. such as a convex lens. Holmes unravels myths with his ‘swift’. intuitions,’ like many other scientists of the time, such as Darwin.
Stephen Crane defines ‘hero’ as someone who has overcome his fears. In all three definitions, Henry Fleming is a hero.
Likewise, changes have been made on the level of the character in pursuance of the strong bond between Holmes and Watson. For instance, due to plot change some character have been removed, but John H. Watson and Sherlock Holmes the heart of the whole story indeed are kept. For instance, Sherlock Holmes is portrayed as Watson describes him in the “he was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty” (Doyle 38). Also, Holmes calls himself a “consulting detective” just like the title he gave himself in the novel. Indeed, Holmes as one of the main characters of the story needs to show similar characteristics of the original Holmes, or else the show would have lost its meaning. Although Holmes’ deductive skills are shown pretty clearly in the show, his expertise in cigars are not mentioned as in the book the detective says he “‘can distinguish at a glance the ash of any known brand either of cigar or tobacco’” (Doyle 37). Yet the writers of the show, might reveal Holmes’ expertise later on in the show since they have the 60 different
For Sherlock Holmes, his partner in crime is Dr. John H. Watson. Not only is he a trusted friend, but also he is Holmes’ associate and the first person narrator of the Sherlock tales. The stories of Sherlock Holmes are a collection of short stories and fictional novels created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These stories are based on a famous and most notorious detective all throughout London, Sherlock Holmes. Along his side, Dr. Watson narrates his and Holmes’ detective cases and reveals Sherlock’s abilities and knowledge of solving cases and fighting deadly crimes. For the duration of the stories, Watson and Holmes share a particular relationship where Holmes verbally dominates Watson, “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is very clear” (Doyle 241). When he isn’t insulting Dr. Watson he talks about how much he relies on his partner, “I am lost without my Boswell” (Doyle 243).