A tall, black-haired man with a receding hairline is sitting in a cushioned armchair, holding a pipe in his left hand, while extending his right arm in a forward gesture. The room is wrapped in smoke. The man’s sharp facial features, his posture and his eyes gazing at the ceiling towards the far corner of the room all show his concentration. He is fully absorbed in thought, being neither irritated by the heavy clouds of smoke coming from his pipe, nor by the presence of another man in the room. He, who is apparently also preoccupied in thought, gazes at a lamp, which is illuminating the table in front of him and the still blank sheets of paper on which he intends to write. The room is filled with several items, which probably belong to one of the two men sitting in there: A violin, swords, a shield, two filled book shelves, several paintings, boxing gloves, and various other objects one would or would not expect to find in a Victorian home in London. But this is not just any home sometime in the late 19th century London, it is 221B Baker Street in 1881.
This was a glimpse into the home of the consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed by the artist Nis Jessen. But who was Sherlock Holmes? He is probably the best known detective in the world and if you were to ask a Holmes enthusiast, you would probably be told that he was "the greatest detective of all time". There are even some people who actually believe that he was a real person and is not a fictional creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The aim of this paper is to portray as many facets of Mr Holmes as possible, including his biography, his character, his methods of work, his personal relationships, his archenemy and, of course, his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
2.1 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Life
2.2 The Canon - Overview on Published Novels and Short Stories
2.3 Real Life Character Influence
3 Holmes’ Biography – The Life of the Greatest Detective of All Time
4 Holmes’ Character
4.1 Outward Appearance
4.2 Habits and Hobbies
4.3 Important Personal Relationships
4.3.1 Dr Watson
4.3.2 Mycroft Holmes
4.3.3 Irene Adler
5 Holmes’ Methods of Work
5.1 The Science of Deduction
5.2 Scientific Approach
5.3 Professional Knowledge and General Education
5.4 Secrecy and Discretion
5.5 Disguise
5.6 Martial Arts and Self-Defence
6 Professor Moriarty – Sherlock Holmes’ Archenemy
7 Legacy
7.1 Speculation and Extracanonical Works
7.2 Movie and Theatre Adaptions
7.3 Sherlock Holmes in Popular Culture
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive portrayal of Sherlock Holmes by examining the various facets that define him as the world's most renowned consulting detective. It explores the foundational influences on the character, his complex psychological profile, his unique methodologies, his interpersonal dynamics, and his enduring cultural impact.
- The biographical background of Sherlock Holmes and his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
- The distinctive analytical methods and scientific approaches employed by Holmes.
- An investigation into Holmes’ personal relationships and his archenemy, Professor Moriarty.
- The legacy of Sherlock Holmes in literature, theatre, film, and modern popular culture.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1 The Science of Deduction
The detective’s best known skill is his ability to deduce facts by doing simple observations and drawing conclusions on what has caused the observed condition. This is what Conan Doyle describes as the “Science of Deduction” in several novels and short stories. It is introduced for the first time in A Study in Scarlet when Watson reads an excerpt of the fictional Book of Life written by the famous detective himself:
“[…] the Science of Deduction and Analysis is one which can only be acquired by long and patient study, nor is life long enough to allow any mortal to attain the highest possible perfection in it. […] By a man’s fingernails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt-cuffs – by each of these things a man’s calling is plainly revealed.”
Chapter Summary
1 Introduction: Provides a setting-the-scene description of 221B Baker Street and outlines the intention to explore the different facets of Sherlock Holmes.
2 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Details the life, writing career, and external inspirations of the author, including the influence of Dr. Joseph Bell.
3 Holmes’ Biography – The Life of the Greatest Detective of All Time: Examines the timeline of Holmes’ life, including gaps in his history and his eventual retirement.
4 Holmes’ Character: Analyzes the physical appearance, personality traits, personal habits, and significant social relationships of the detective.
5 Holmes’ Methods of Work: Explores the analytical techniques, scientific methodologies, and professional conduct that characterize Holmes' work.
6 Professor Moriarty – Sherlock Holmes’ Archenemy: Describes the nature of the antagonist and his role as the intellectual and evil mirror image of Holmes.
7 Legacy: Reviews the post-canonical influence of the character through extracanonical literature and adaptations in media and popular culture.
Keywords
Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Science of Deduction, 221B Baker Street, Dr. Watson, Professor Moriarty, Consulting Detective, Victorian London, Literary Canon, Character Analysis, Spiritualism, Dr. Joseph Bell, Pop Culture, Extracanonical Works, Crime Fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this publication?
This work provides an in-depth analysis of the literary character Sherlock Holmes, exploring his biography, characteristics, methods, and creator.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the intellectual methodology of deduction, the relationship between author and character, the detective's social and personal evolution, and his lasting impact on modern media.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to portray the various facets of Mr. Holmes to explain why he is considered the greatest detective of all time.
Which scientific methodology is central to the analysis?
The paper focuses on the "Science of Deduction" and the application of observational skills and logic, contrasted with the scientific standards of the Victorian era.
What does the main body cover?
The body covers Holmes' personal history, his unique relationships with figures like Dr. Watson and Irene Adler, his scientific approach to investigations, and his long-standing battle with Professor Moriarty.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Sherlock Holmes, Deduction, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dr. Watson, and literary legacy.
How does the author explain Holmes’ apparent lack of general knowledge?
The author discusses Holmes' "brain-attic" theory, where he intentionally discards useless information to keep only the knowledge necessary for his work, while noting potential continuity errors in the text.
What is the significance of the "Great Hiatus"?
The "Great Hiatus" refers to the period between Holmes' apparent death and his return, a span of time that has inspired significant speculation and extracanonical literature.
How does the book treat the relationship between Holmes and Moriarty?
The book characterizes Moriarty as the "evil version" of Holmes, sharing his intellectual capacity but applying it to criminal activities rather than justice.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marius Wegener (Autor:in), 2010, Sherlock Holmes - A Portrayal of the Greatest Detective of All Time, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/173260
