Holmes Introduction

Pre 20 Century th Prose

Sherlock Holmes

What do you already know?

author genre historical audience context

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

•Born in Edinburgh 22nd May 1859 •Medical degree – Edinburgh University 1881 •Dr Joseph Bell – the real Holmes? •Doctor 1882-1891 •1887 ‘A Study in Scarlet’ •1890 – The Strand magazine •The Final Problem & Holmes’ resurrection! •Died in 1930 – married twice & 5 children •Letters to 221b Baker Street even today

Doyle on Holmes and Spiritualism

The genre of Detective Fiction

The draw of Detective Fiction •The thrill of danger viewed from a safe place •The battle of good and evil with a pre-determined outcome •Working alongside the detective to solve the crime •The perfect vehicle for tension & drama

The Ingredients of a Sherlock Holmes Story

Audience

Context

The Stories

title narrative characters voice Text structure settings mood / themes language tension

Titles •The Engineer’s Thumb •The Five Orange Pips •The Empty House •A Case of Identity •The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

Characters

•Clients •Criminals •The Police force

title Narrative characters voice Text structure settings mood / themes language tension

Settings

Themes •Justice •The criminal mind •The deductive method •Victorian society

Language •Descriptive detail •Dialogue •Vocabulary

Mood & Tension

Order Disorder – crime committed The investigation Order restored

Structure •Exposition •Complications •Climax •Resolution

Exposition •Where are we? •When are we? •Who is involved?

Complications •What is the problem? •What is the cause? •How will we build to the climax?

Climax •How do the strands (where, who, what) combine to bring events to a head?

Resolution •How are the strands resolved? •Do any questions remain unanswered? •Are there any loose ends?

Structure •221B Baker Street & the Case •Holmes & Watson visit the scene •Clues & the mystery is explored •Climax – foiled crimes & arrests •Holmes explains his method

Narrative Voice •Dr Watson •1st person perspective •Limited insight •Withheld information

Holmes stood outside the police cell, seemingly lost in thought. Perhaps he was contemplating the fate of the criminal inside, but I knew he would not waste much time on that subject for his quick mind was always onto the new. He leaned towards me and said ‘Fried eggs for breakfast Watson?’ ‘How the devil did you know that?’ I exclaimed.

Inside the cell the prisoner was curled up on the narrow bed, wondering what would become of him now. Holmes stood outside, apparently lost in thought. He smiled slightly and then seemed to bring himself back to reality. Suddenly he took a keen interest in the front of Watson’s coat. ‘Fried eggs for breakfast Watson?’ he said. ‘How the devil did you know that?’ the good doctor exclaimed.

I stood outside the police cell and allowed myself a moment of self-congratulation at the thought of another cunning criminal sitting behind bars where he belonged. It was not long before my mind had leapt to another topic however, for my thoughts are always searching for a new mystery to solve. Just at that moment the mystery occupying my thoughts was the origin of that stain on Watson’s coat. I peered a little closer. It was definitely egg yolk. I leaned towards him and said, ‘Fried eggs for breakfast Watson?’ ‘How the devil did you know that?’ my good companion exclaimed.

The Speckled Band

A Scandal in Bohemia

The Red Headed League

Account for the ongoing popularity of the Sherlock Holmes stories with reference to a range of stories to illustrate your ideas. Examine the ways in which Conan Doyle establishes and builds tension in the Sherlock Holmes short stories. You should refer to a range of stories in your response.

Holmes Introduction

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