Comparing A Case of Identity and The Stolen Cigar Case

Comparing A Case of Identity and The Stolen Cigar Case

There are two forms of detective story: there is the 'who dunnit' idea

in which gentlemen detectives are called upon in all sorts of

impossible situations, but always manage to solve the crime. In this

type, the reader has a good idea of who committed the 'crime';

however, the characters in the story don't. The other type of story is

a mystery, in which neither reader nor investigators know who is

responsible for the crime; together with the characters, the reader

too is invited to figure out the sequence of events.

In the Sherlock Holmes stories the focus is on the character of the

detective himself (Sherlock Holmes) and follows the story of him

solving a mystery. Sherlock Holmes (S.H) was a legendary figure as he

was the very first fictional detective; his stories were written in

the Victorian times by the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The S.H stories have many common features. For example S.H is seen to

be very well organised and by the end, his efforts have concluded in

solving the mystery/crime. This has made it easier for Bret Harte to

parody Conan Doyle's style; he uses many similar features like the

same old fashioned language and also in having Sherlock Holmes or

Hemlock Jones (as he is called in the parody), portrayed as a very

precise, eccentric detective.

In the original story, we are told of how Miss Mary Sunderland goes to

S.H to find Mr Hosmer Angel-her missing bridegroom-who disappeared on

the day of their wedding. S.H manages to find this man, so uncovering

the fact that it is her step-father in disguise!

In the parody; 'The Stolen Cigar Case', Hemloc...

... middle of paper ...

...ered your honour for it-that stolen cigar

case was the purchaser of the sealskin coat". This left Watson

stunned. However by the time H.J has finished his long speech about

how Watson must have taken it, Watson was left doubting his own

sanity, Even though he knew deep down he hadn't stolen the cigar case.

When Hemlock realised that it had been in his draw all along he was

"vexed" and in shock as he said slowly "I have been mistaken", despite

this he still didn't apologise to Watson for accusing him.

I think Bret Harte did an effective parody of the Sherlock Holmes

stories as they are already over the top to start with, so it must

have been difficult to compete with that. I think he achieved a comic

affect within his version of the story and was good at enlarging the

ridiculousness of it for the humour of the reader.