This paper focuses on the genesis of one of the most iconic friendships and juxtaposes the literary birth of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson with their televisual re-birth. Furthermore, it is primarily concerned with the evolving friendship between the well-known inhabitants of 221B Baker Street and the question of whether or not it might be regarded as “symbiotic”.
In addition to an analysis of the homosexual innuendos that occur in A Study in Pink, there will be a brief section on the city of London, which is often perceived as a third protagonist.
Due to the finite length of this paper, other aspects concerning the crime case, literary adaptation theory/filming politics, the visual aesthetics of A Study in Pink and the question of (post)modernity have either only briefly been touched on or been omitted altogether.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. A Very Brief History of A Study in Scarlet and A Study in Pink
3. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson: Early Days of a Friendship
3.1 Introducing Watson
3.2 Introducing Holmes
3.2.1 First Impressions
3.2.2 Deductions
3.2.3 Social Interactions
3.3 Getting to Know Each Other
3.4 Symbiosis
3.5 Homosexuality
4. London, the Third Protagonist
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the genesis of the iconic friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, comparing the original literary foundation provided by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in A Study in Scarlet with the modern re-imagining in the BBC series Sherlock.
- The evolution of the relationship from literary origin to modern television adaptation.
- An analysis of the "symbiotic" nature of the partnership between Holmes and Watson.
- Examination of modern adaptations of character traits, particularly focusing on social interaction and emotional development.
- The role of London as an active, "third protagonist" within the narrative.
- The handling of subtext, including sexuality and modern professional/domestic intimacy.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2.1 First Impressions
Before introducing Watson to Holmes in person, Stamford warns his old friend by saying: “You don’t know Sherlock Holmes yet . . . perhaps you would not care for him as a constant companion” (Doyle 6). Furthermore, he makes some mysterious remarks about his would-be fellow-lodger being “a little queer in his ideas” (Doyle 6). These mysterious comments create an element of suspense which intrigues Watson and makes him all the more keen on wanting to become acquainted with Holmes.
Watson finally “meets Holmes in a chemical laboratory after having been warned about Holmes’ obsessive passion for weird science [experiments] concerning the introduction of foreign substances into the body” (McLaughlin 30). Stamford depicts Holmes as “a little too scientific[, approaching] cold-bloodedness” (Doyle 8) and even acknowledges that he has observed Holmes “beating the subjects in the dissecting-rooms with a stick . . . to verify how far bruises may be produced after death” (Doyle 8). Thus, the tension reaches a climax at the very moment at which Watson is about to encounter Holmes in person for the first time.
Without time to process this disturbingly unusual information, Watson is taken into the laboratory where Holmes is just about to conclude an experiment. Whereas Stamford’s first question to Watson has been: “’Whatever have you been doing with yourself, Watson?’” (Doyle 5), this “is precisely the sort of information that Holmes, in contrast, will gain at a glance, as his own first words to Watson soon demonstrate” (Hodgson 31). Thus, after a quick scan, Holmes assumes that Watson has “been in Afghanistan” (Doyle 9). “The puzzle of [Holmes’] remarkable perceptiveness greatly interests Watson” (Hodgson 31), but despite his request for an explanation concerning the way in which the information had been obtained, Holmes turns away - obviously amused – and “[chuckles] to himself” (Doyle 9).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the adaptation of Sherlock Holmes by the BBC, outlining the focus on the evolving friendship and the modernization of the canon.
2. A Very Brief History of A Study in Scarlet and A Study in Pink: Reviews the publication history of Doyle's original novel and its adaptation into a modern pilot episode.
3. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson: Early Days of a Friendship: Discusses the introduction of both characters, their initial meetings, deduction methods, social interactions, and the nature of their relationship.
4. London, the Third Protagonist: Analyzes the depiction of London as an urban jungle and a fundamental element of the narrative's atmosphere.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes how the BBC series deepens character arcs and explores the symbiotic dynamic of a modern hero.
Keywords
Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, A Study in Scarlet, A Study in Pink, BBC Sherlock, Friendship, Symbiosis, Deduction, London, Adaptation, Modernization, Homosexuality, Heroism, Character Development, Narrative
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the foundational friendship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, contrasting their literary birth in Arthur Conan Doyle’s works with their modern re-birth in the BBC series Sherlock.
Which specific versions of the characters are being compared?
The research compares the characters as depicted in the original novel A Study in Scarlet and the BBC pilot episode A Study in Pink.
What is the central research question regarding the friendship?
The study investigates whether the relationship between the two protagonists can be classified as "symbiotic" and how their individual traits complement each other in both the original and adapted versions.
Which methodologies are employed in the analysis?
The paper utilizes comparative literary analysis, media studies, and an examination of adaptation theory to dissect the character portrayals and narrative techniques.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body focuses on the introduction of the characters, the differences in their deduction processes, their social interactions, their evolving intimacy, and the symbolic role of London in the stories.
What are the characterizing keywords of this study?
Key terms include Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, symbiosis, modernization, adaptation, character development, and the significance of London as a third protagonist.
How does the BBC version handle Sherlock's lack of social skills?
The series portrays Sherlock as a "high-functioning sociopath" who relies on John Watson as a moral and social compass, contrasting his machine-like intelligence with his need for social guidance.
Why is the role of London significant in the narrative?
London is interpreted as a "third protagonist," functioning as an urban jungle that provides the perfect setting for heroic action, while simultaneously representing the city as a constructed space of culture and reason.
How does the text define the "symbiotic" nature of the partnership?
The partnership is defined by the balance of "the great" (Sherlock's genius and analytical power) and "the good" (John's moral compass and social humanity), suggesting that neither can fully achieve heroic status without the other.
- Quote paper
- Elisa Valerie Thieme (Author), 2013, (Re)Introducing Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/232581
