Dedrick McCollins
Analysis of Sherlock Holmes
Ms. Fairchild
Of all of the genres of fiction, the most recognizable one is the mystery genre. Due to its popularity it has been changed and its conventions critiqued. The detective fiction is a subgenre that stared in the mid-nineteenth century. One of the most famous heroes of detective fiction that came out of that era was Sherlock Holmes. Each of Holmes story lines centered on a “whodunit” theme which allowed the reader in the process of finding out who committed the crime. Throughout the story, the reader is given clues to help eliminate individuals as suspects. The “whodunit” theme was most popular between 1920-1950 which is considered the (Golden Age) of detective fiction.
The mystery genre focuses on a central character (detective) who solves a mystery
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It appeared to give him an adrenaline rush. His lack of people skills often caused him to be in somewhat isolation but it never hindered him from offering or accepting request for his “free” crime fighting services.
As it pertains to Holmes personality trait, it has been said that Holmes was on the autism spectrum. This autistic trait is now being used currently in television shows such as Criminal Minds. The character Spencer Reid carries some of the same traits as Holmes. For instance, Reid is a genius who is also introvert that sometimes has difficult dealing with individuals due to his IQ level and way of thinking.
An article in The New York Times describes Holmes as "mind-blind," "coldblooded," and "rude," using these words as a way to describe his demeanor. (2) Autistic people generally consider the term "mind-blind" to be derogatory, and the idea that all people with autism are "coldblooded" and "rude" is obviously a damaging stereotype. (3) Another article describes Holmes as a character with Asperger's who can solve crimes because he thinks outside of "normal, balanced
Bow, this is because it is packed with suspense and tension throughout. It shows drama and suspense in different places which is why I enjoy it. Crime fiction has been developed over the years with such characters as Poirot. But all the characters have been portrayed similarly to Sherlock and Holmes. Crime fiction is so popular because it helps us become more involved and able to interact with the story.
Dashiell Hammett’s novel, The Maltese Falcon, is a hard-boiled detective novel; a subset of the mystery genre. Before the appearance of this sub-genre, mystery novels were mainly dominated by unrealistic cases and detectives like Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. As Malmgren states, “The murders in these stories are implausibly motivated, the plots completely artificial, and the characters pathetically two-dimensional, puppets and cardboard lovers, and paper mache villains and detectives of exquisite and impossible gentility.” (Malmgren, 371) On the other hand, Hammett tried to write realistic mystery fiction – the “hard-boiled” genre.
Sherlock Jr. is a film from the silent era, which Keaton both starred in and directed. It tells the story of a poor cinema projectionist who dreams of becoming a famous detective. He is in love with a ‘girl’, yet is deceived by a rival who frames him for stealing her father’s pocket watch. Failing in his attempt to solve the crime, he is banished from ever setting foot in her house and returns to his projectionist booth where he dreams he is the detective within the projected film (which parallel the film’s events in reality). In the dream he solves the case and escapes with the girl, yet in reality it is her who uncovers the truth and returns to him, ending both the story and the film. The film is incredibly innovative, using pioneering cinematic
The birth of classic detective fiction was originated just in the mid nineteenth century, and was producing its own genre. Classical detective fiction follows a set of rules called the ‘Ten commandments of detective fiction’. The genre is so popular it can bee seen by the number of sales in any good book stores. Many of these books have been created a long time ago and there is still a demand for these types of books. The popularity is still ongoing because it provides constant entertainment, and also the reader can also have a role of detective trying to solve the crime/case committed. Classical detective fiction has a formula, the detective story starts with a seemingly irresolvable mystery, typically a murder, features the astute, often unconventional detective, a wrongly accused suspect to whom the circumstantial evidence points, and concludes with a startling or unexpected solution to the mystery, during which the detective explains how he or she solved the mystery. Formula that includes certain elements such as, a closed location to keep the number of suspects down, red hearings spread around the stories to keep the reader entertained yet interacted.
Macdonald, Ross. "The Writer as Detective Hero." Detective Fiction: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Robin W. Winks. Englewood Cliffs, London: Prentice-Hall, 1980.
A detective story is a genre of fiction in which a person attempts to solve a crime. The detective may be a professional or an amateur, and generally has nothing to gain from solving the crime. However in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King”, the main character Oedipus is not only determined to solve a crime, but he is also in pursuit to find his own identity. This is similar to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Scandal in Bohemia” where Sherlock Holmes has been hired to work as a detective in return for monetary compensation. Both situations enable Oedipus and Sherlock to gain from unraveling the mysteries that sweep their towns hence making these stories different from most detective stories.
I am considered to be most like the fictional character Dr. Spencer Reid on the CBS crime drama “Criminal Minds.” Although I am not a genius, possess several doctorates, and can read 20,000 words per minute, I can be described as having a mind similar to his. I do, however, possess a personality similar to his, mainly because of our tendency to be friendly, but at times socially awkward. Though, what makes me most like this character is our passion for doing something that we love to do, whether it be learning or crime solving. Therefore, Dr. Spencer Reid and I are alike through our intelligence, personality, and passion for
The Typical Detective Genre Portrayed in Sherlock Holmes' Literature The late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a phenomenally successful writer, not only in the Victorian era but is still popular today; his Sherlock Homes stories were perhaps his most successful, in which he combines realistic situations of murders and scandals with the improbable situation of such a successful detective. Victorian London was an exceptionally dangerous place to live. Prostitution, opium dens and murders were inescapable. A women's role within the household was very much dependent on her class and her husband, purely due to the fact was that herr husband was the breadwinner. They were to stay at home; sex was supposedly purely for reproduction.
ploy to keep Mr Wilson out of his lodgings for days on end under the
The critically_and_commercialy acclaimed BBC show Sherlock (2010-) is an innovative and modern adaption of Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective character ,Sherlock Holmes, and the detective genre as a whole. The pilot episode ‘A Study in pink’ depicts the detective and crime genre in a subversive manner through the use of form, audience and social context. The show appeals to a contemporary audience by depicting sophisticated forms of technology, informal language, and a modernised London setting. The contemporary adaption of Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories revitalises the detective character white remaining faithful to the source material. The episode effectively presents the iconic detective as an unconventional hero who is trying to
Speckled Band -.. It is Holmes' use of reasoning and deduction that is one of his most. famous personal characteristics also come to light. This is his characteristic of making people around him feel beneath him, in other words, Holmes has a high level of self-esteem. He astounds people with his intelligence.
He uses methods and equipment that are similar to that of a scientist and is a good representation of a real life scientist. Holmes is able to make quick deductions in order. to solve any problem brought to him, a trait that all great scientists possess. The sassy of the sassy Sherlock Holmes demonstrates all of these qualities on more.... ... middle of paper ...
I think that mystery stories are so popular with people today, and with the last couple of generations because they are so intriguing. The author tries to give the story an element of surprise and also put twists in the tails to keep the reader guessing. Rather than just watching a film it allows the reader to build up their own imagination and interpret the story in their own way. The author will also try to integrate a ghost or spirit into the story, whether it be physically there or just psychologically, this gives the sense of mystery and usually results in the protagonist of the story dying. During the Victorian era mystery stories were especially popular, this was due to television and cinema not being in existence, so people had enliven themselves in other ways, in this case with books. In Victorian times religion was cogent and people believed in God more than people today, this meant that people thought what happen in mystery stories was very plausible. However with the advancement of science, people regard mystery stories as fully fictional, conversely some individuals and groups do still believe in the existence of ghosts and spirits.
Pos-Ho. Critical survey of mystery and Detective Fiction. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Salem Press, 1988. pgs 1332-1337
The most important part of any type of book or story is that it be interesting. This proves to be particularly important in detective fiction as well. What could be more interesting than having a crime committed in front of you, given all (or most) of the details and still not be able to figure it out? This is exactly how detective fiction authors draw people into these stories and books. By weaving an intricate and interesting plot full of fascinating characters, and all types of details about the crime, readers get drawn into the plot and cannot stop reading until they find out the solution to the mystery. Simply put, readers are drawn to detective fiction because it is so easy to become completely engrossed in the stories. The trick of the author is how to create such an environment to keep readers coming back again and again to the genre.