A Detailed Analysis of The Red-Headed League and The Final Problem

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A Detailed Analysis of The Red-Headed League and The Final Problem

In 1888, "A Study in Scarlet" was published, bringing together the

infamous duo of Holmes and Watson - and in the creation of Holmes,

earned Conan Doyle his fortune. "Scandal in Bohemia" and the following

stories of his characters journey into the world of crime solving

appeared in "The Strand" magazine. The 1880s saw a growing market for

popular fiction and at a mere sixpence a week, it had anxious people

rushing to the stands for literary entertainment, amusement and

escapism.

The double act of Holmes and Watson is very effective in the short

stories by Conan Doyle. Holmes is often described in the short stories

with extended imagery, often like creatures and monsters.

"His head was sunk upon his breast, and he looked from my point of

view like a strange, lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black

top-knot."

This imagery helps to reinforce the idea that his "sharp and piercing"

eyes give the impression that he is very alert. Holmes is also

described as having a "tall, gaunt figure" with "slick black hair" and

"hawk-like" yet "austere" facial features. He is portrayed as being a

blunt and impatient man. At the beginning of "The Red-Headed League"

after Watson's initial "intrusion", he pulls Watson "abruptly" into

the room and he is "anxious" for Mr. Jabez Wilson to "recommence" his

narrative.

Watson, on the contrary, is a polite man. When he walks in on Holmes

and Wilson having the conversation, he apologises and starts to

"withdraw". The choice of Watson as the narrator for these short

stories is very effective. From the beginning, it is clear th...

... middle of paper ...

...", Watson speaks of the "three accounts" of the story of

Holmes' death. The "Journal de Geneve" on "May 6th, 1981" and

"Reuter's dispatch" in the English papers on "May 7th" both are

"extremely condensed" versions of the true story. When Watson first

sees Holmes walk into his "consulting-room", it is on "the evening of

the 24th of April". These little factual details - although not

offering a great deal individually - collectively make the story more

realistic and appealing.

Arthur Conan Doyle has written four novels and fifty-six short stories

that comprise the entire Sherlock Holmes saga. His highly entertaining

and enjoyable tales of man's capacity for unpleasantness to his fellow

man have made him one of the masters of the detective story genre and

therefore one of the highest-selling authors of the 19th Century.

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