“Well, Watson, what do you make of it?” (Doyle 1) – Or rather: What did, and does, the media make of Arthur Conan Doyle’s crime-solving character Sherlock Holmes? Without a doubt, Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous literary figures, if not the most famous, at least in the genre of crime fiction.
Holmes had his first appearance in 1887 in A Study in Scarlett, which was published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual. In this story, he is introduced as the world’s first and only “consulting detective”. In other words: Sherlock Holmes starts investigating when the police fail in solving the crime. (Wilson) Since his introduction he has had other appearances in numerous stories of Doyle, countless pastiches and he has literally taken over the media landscape.
Among these appearances in the media, there are two TV shows contrasting from all the other Holmes adaptations. On the one hand, there is Elementary. It is set in New York and the American actress Lucy Liu plays Holmes’s assistant and friend, Dr Watson. Jonny Lee Miller plays Holmes. On the other Hand, there is the British series Sherlock. It is set in London and the role of Watson is portrayed by male actor Martin Freeman, which means that Sherlock is more oriented towards the original stories. However, both series have something in common: They transfer Doyle’s stories, which are set in Victorian and Edwardian times, into the present age.
In this paper, I want to compare the classic character Sherlock Holmes, as he appears in Doyle’s stories and Novels, with the main character Sherlock Holmes of BBC’s TV series Sherlock. The literary basis for my analysis will be the novel the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and of course the TV series Sherlock. The first part of this paper will consist of a characterisation of the classic Sherlock Holmes. The second part will be an analysis of the main character of Sherlock. In the course of this paper, I want to provide the answer to the question: Who is the bigger freak, if any of them is one at all?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Doyle’s Classic Holmes
3. BBC’s Sherlock
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines and compares the characterization of Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's original literary works with the modern interpretation presented in the BBC series Sherlock, specifically focusing on the concept of these figures as "freaks" within their respective societal contexts.
- Literary analysis of The Hound of the Baskervilles
- Character evolution from Victorian to contemporary settings
- The role of social incompetence and childishness in character development
- Comparative study of deductive genius vs. "supernormal" intuition
- Sociological perspective on non-conformity and the definition of a "freak"
Excerpt from the Book
3. BBC’s Sherlock
Sherlock is one of the latest visual Sherlock Holmes interpretations. It is highly successful and the third season is about to be broadcasted. The most obvious difference between the classic Sherlock Holmes stories and the BBC series is the setting. Whereas Doyle’s stories are set in late 19th and early 20th century, Sherlock is set in our present age. This makes him able to use modern technology and gimmicks, such as smartphones and computers. The modernity and the technological progress are also underlined by popups in some of the scenes in every episode. The popups may consist, for example, of the display text-messages, e-mails, websites or even Sherlock’s visualised thoughts.
In the series, Sherlock is a “consulting detective”, as well. He investigates for the police, when they are unable to solve their cases. He mocks them for their stupidity and their incompetence, which makes him seem very arrogant. (Cumberbatch & Freeman A Study in Pink)
Except for the usage of the modern technology, Sherlock Holmes’s ways of investigating have stayed the same. He still observes and combines the facts to a reasonable conclusion.
The far more interesting development of the figure is in the character. The writers of Sherlock kept most of the classic features and added some new ones. Sherlock is not only hurting other people and even his friends by his statements, he is positively socially incompetent. He even calls himself a “highly functional sociopath”. (Cumberbatch & Freeman A Study in Pink) In one scene in The Hounds of Baskerville it becomes quite obvious that he cannot even deal with his best friend John Watson, when Sherlock is scared by what he thinks he has seen:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the literary significance of Sherlock Holmes and outlines the comparative focus between Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories and the modern BBC adaptation.
2. Doyle’s Classic Holmes: This section analyzes the original characterization of Holmes, highlighting his rational, perfectionist nature and his extraordinary, almost supernormal, deductive capabilities.
3. BBC’s Sherlock: This chapter explores how the BBC series modernizes the detective while emphasizing new traits such as social incompetence and childish behavior, framing him as a "highly functional sociopath."
4. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the comparison, ultimately arguing that the modern Sherlock is the "bigger freak" due to his added layers of social dysfunction compared to the classic iteration.
Keywords
Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, BBC Sherlock, Literary Adaptation, Character Study, Freaks, Consulting Detective, Social Incompetence, Deductive Reasoning, Victorian Era, Modernization, Sociology, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sociopath, Character Evolution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper performs a comparative analysis between the classic literary character Sherlock Holmes as created by Arthur Conan Doyle and his contemporary portrayal in the BBC television series Sherlock.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
Key themes include the evolution of the "consulting detective" archetype, the impact of modern technology on narrative structure, and the psychological labeling of characters as "freaks" based on societal norms.
What is the main research objective?
The primary objective is to determine which of the two iterations—the classic or the modern—can be considered the "bigger freak" by analyzing their behavioral traits and social interactions.
Which scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author uses a qualitative literary and media analysis, grounding the research in primary texts like The Hound of the Baskervilles and secondary academic perspectives on the Sherlock Holmes canon.
What specific aspects of the characters are analyzed in the main body?
The analysis focuses on their detective methods, emotional suppression, social competence (or lack thereof), and how these traits deviate from standard human behavior in their respective timelines.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
The work is characterized by terms such as literary adaptation, character study, social incompetence, deductive reasoning, and the sociocultural definition of a freak.
How does the author define the "freakishness" of the original Sherlock Holmes?
The author argues that Doyle's Holmes is a "freak" due to his extraordinary, almost supernormal deductive skills and his cold, calculating nature that prioritizes logic over emotions.
In what way does the BBC version differentiate itself from the original?
Beyond the change in setting to the 21st century, the BBC version introduces significant social incompetence and childish behavior, which the author posits makes this version a more pronounced "freak."
What role does John Watson play in the characterization of the modern Sherlock?
John Watson serves as a grounding force, often acting in a parental capacity to manage Sherlock's erratic and childish outbursts.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sven Rudolph (Autor:in), 2013, Doyle's Classic Holmes vs. BBC's Sherlock. Who is the Bigger Freak?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/272115
